Moved by Norn’s (Saya Aizawa) concern for their parents, Rudeus (Yumi Uchiyama) decided to set out for Beragritt to help Paul save Zenith. Before he can go, though, he has some goodbyes to make. While many are sad, one will produce a boon that will greatly shorten the journey in Mushoku Tensei Season 2 Episode 19 “Deseret Journey.”
First up on the list of people Rudeus informs of his decision is Elinalise (Rie Tanaka, Record of Ragnarok). As she had previously decided to make the trek herself, the duo agree to travel together. However, Rudeus reaffirms that he can’t help her manage her curse on their journey. Also, he convinces Elinalise not to break up with Cliff before their departure. Rather, he tells her to have a heart-to-heart with him about their future.
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Rudeus’ concern for Elinalise and Cliff’s relationship here is touching. With so much on his plate already, it wouldn’t be unreasonable for Rudeus to leave Elinalise’s affairs to her. That Rudeus continues to think about others more and more is another small showing of the character’s growth.
Before Rudeus takes on the most daunting task, telling his pregnant wife he’ll be gone for the next two years, he stops by Nanahoshi’s (Shion Wakayama, Lycoris Recoil) to let her know he won’t be able to aid her in her experiments. While Sylphettie’s reaction to Rudeus’ news holds the bigger focus for the narrative, Nanahoshi’s position feels just as delicate. With no one else aware of the shared circumstances between her and Rudeus, Nanahoshi will have to put her efforts to get home on hold for the entire time he is gone. We’ve seen recently how much of a burden the task has become for here, so it’s no small surprise she doesn’t take the news well.
Mushoku Tensei Season 2 Episode 19 surprises Rudeus with some good news. Nanahoshi produces a map showing a nearby teleportation circle that will transport Rudeus and Elinalise directly to Begaritt. This turns an eight-month journey into a couple of weeks. Nanahoshi warns Rudeus to keep the information secret, as governments strictly prohibit the use of teleportation and will destroy the circles if they learn about them.
This surprise breathes some positive energy into the episode. Amidst the teary goodbyes, this is a welcome spark of hope that Rudeus will return before he misses too much. It also helps Nanhoshi be involved in the larger plot, rather than just be a side story that pops up now and then. The relief the map brings Rudeus is shown wonderfully visually, further building up the impact of the moment.
With this revelation ready to soften the blow, Rudeus proceeds to head home to let his family know about his decision. Unsurprisingly, the dutiful Sylphiette (Ai Kayano) offers no protests towards Rudeus’ decision. And while the news of the teleportation shortcut offers Rudeus the chance to return quicker, its revelation strikes Sylphettie differently than it did Rudes. While Rudeus shows only joy, Sylphiette is struck with a moment of mild terror. Given her history with teleportation, her shock and concern feel reasonable. After a tender moment of reassurance, Rudeus promises everyone he’ll return safely and entrusts Sylphiette’s care to Norn and Aisha while he’s gone.
Mushoku Tensei Season 2 Episode 19 delivers one more emotional moment as Rudeus and Elinalise set out. As goodbyes are made, Cliff proposes to Elinalise, reducing the elf to tears. How Cliff has accepted her and worked to cure her curse has been a strongly emotional subplot throughout this season. Seeing him propose to her feels like a culmination of this side story. Layering the moment within a tearful goodbye adds to its impact, giving Elinalise even more reason to get there and back safely and quickly.
Once the journey begins, we follow the Rudeus and Elinalise through the teleportation circle and across the desert. While much of the trek goes smoothly, there are a couple of struggles. One night, Elinalise grudgingly heads out to go “man hunting.” While Cliff’s work to make a device to curb her curse seems to help minimize its effects, it can’t control it completely. Elinalise’s heartbroken look hits hard as the viewer feels the change in the character from when she first traveled with Rudeus.
The duo also battle their way through confrontations with a succubus and a pair of griffins. Both provide brief flurries of action to break up the episode, and the succubus encounter also sprinkles a bit of levity into the story as Rudeus embarrasses himself while under the creature’s influence.
As Mushoku Tensei Season 2 Episode 19 wraps up, the pair arrive at their destination. As the city comes into view, the audience is left with the feeling that the hard part is about to begin. With the journey’s opening delivering so much emotion, the audience feels primed for tragedy as Rudeus arrives to help his family.
Mushoku Tensei Season 2 Episode 19 is streaming now on Crunchyroll.
