Filthy Casual for Life

Episode 3 Recap: We meet Alma, Noel’s newest recruit.

Episode 4: An Apology Won’t Cut It

Noel and Alma arrive at the town and meet the mayor. However, the mayor seems uncomfortable that only Alma and Noel show up. The mayor’s family welcome them in for tea. They go over the specifics of the job. A band of 20 thieves are attacking neighboring towns. They discuss compensation and the mayor is too quick to pay up. It makes Noel suspicious. On their way out, the mayor’s daughter stops Noel and it is obvious she has a crush on him.

When they arrive at the thieves’ hideout, there are way more than 20 and leading them is Gordo the Razor Blade, a wanted man worth a lot of money. Alma uses her stealth skill to get closer. While she advances, Noel uses his skill, Link, to link their minds so they can share their thoughts. When Alma is in position, Noel uses Stun Howl to stun all of the henchmen. Noel gives Alma orders through the Link to kill Gordo. Engaging her skills, she flawlessly kills Gordo. Noel and Alma slaughter the rest of the henchman as easily as slicing butter.

Noel and Alma bring the mayor Gordo’s head as proof for payment. When they demand payment, the mayor suggests they have dinner first. At dinner, the girl states that she wants to be a Seeker like Noel. Noel gives her the rundown of what it takes to become a Seeker. The little girl asks to join Blue Beyond if she gets strong. Noel says if she still admires him then, they can fight side-by-side.

The mayor brings out wine. He pours it out for Noel and Alma. Noel tells the mayor they couldn’t possibly take the first sip of wine and asks the mayor to do the honors. It becomes clear that the mayor has ulterior motives, but Noel has him figured out. He tells the mayor to drink the wine that he poisoned.

Noel lays out the three things that the mayor did to pique Noel’s suspicions. First, the mayor lied about the number of bandits. Second, the wine smelled like it was about to spoil which means the bottle had been opened before despite the mayor telling them it had never been opened. Third, they could sense his bloodlust. The mayor throws a tantrum and yells for them to leave town. However, Noel uses Confess to learn that the mayor did poison the wine and had plans to rob them and sell their gear. Noel quickly attacks taking out the mayor’s eye.

The mayor tries to pay off Noel by giving him the original fee he promised, however, that is not enough for Noel. He demands every coin in the house. The mayor tells him that he has debts and that he can’t possibly pay more. Noel starts to go after the other eye. The mayor confesses that he borrowed money from the Gambino family and that he can’t miss his payment. As Noel begins to approach again, the daughter arrives with all of their money and asks Noel to spare his life. Once Noel has payment in hand, he tells Alma they’re ready to go. The girl curses Noel and loses all faith in him.

As they are leaving town, they spot an airship. Noel explains to Alma that clans that are recognized by the empire. Noel explains how strong the clan has to be to achieve that status. He declares in a year’s time, they will be part of the regalia.

Alma flashes back to her test. She admits she was the one that killed her “grandfather.” However, the leader of the assassins has already surmised that Alma wasn’t the granddaughter, but instead, his daughter. She explains to the man that her father trained his “children” to become invincible, to wipe the blemish of his loss to Overdeath. She cries as the man tells her there is no place for her in the Assassin’s Society. She wants her life back. She begs the man to tell her what to do with her life. That is when the man tells Alma about Noel. When her memory is finished playing, she hugs Noel surprising him and makes a proclaimation.

THOUGHTS

Hmmm. I still don’t know what to make of Alma. Is her declaration of loyalty “real.” Is she really taken in by Noel, or does she have ulterior motives. Is she planning on making good her father’s purpose? The fact that she killed her father would say otherwise.

As always, I love Noel’s cruelty. I love that he only uses it when it is earned. He isn’t cruel just to be cruel.

Despite my reservations, Alma is kind of cute. She’s sheltered and Noel is opening a bunch of doors to the life she missed out on. It was super cute they way she declared her loyalty to Noel.

This episode was MUCH better than the last.