The Knights have framed the Shield Hero for kidnapping the crowned princess and killing their ranks and now Naofumi is on the run.
Tropes for this episode include:
- Accidental Kidnapping: One of the many crimes the Three Heroes Church pins on Naofumi is kidnapping Melty, when in reality they tried to kill both of them and Naofumi keeps her around not trusting that Malty won't have her killed.
- Blatant Lies: Malty accuses Naofumi of using brainwashing magic on her little sister to make her claim that she wasn't kidnapped, and that heretics worshipping the shield hero as "the Savior of the Heavenly Fowl" have been springing up all over Melromarc. These are clearly lies, not that most other characters realized this.
- Cassandra Truth: When Malty accuses him of using a brainwashing shield to enthrall Melty into taking his side and force the citizenry to worship him, Naofumi points out the obvious that if he could brainwash people, he wouldn't be in the mess he is in. Since the Three Heroes are gullible and are already convinced that he is a scoundrel, they won't listen to him and try to arrest and/or kill him anyway.
- Chekhov's Gun: The items that Erhard gifted to Naofumi and co. in the previous episode help to get the group out of a tight spot in this episode.
- Raphtalia uses the Mana-Sword to incapacitate Malty in a non-lethal manner. As an added bonus, she does this just before the Princess can unleash a devastating attack that would have surely killed both Naofumi and Melty.
- She also manages to sneakily hand the strength-enhancing gloves to Filo. The bird girl uses them to deliver a powerful punch to Motoyasu's gut, knocking him out for the rest of the fight.
- Last but not least, Naofumi's shield accessory amplifies the effects of his Wrath Shield. As such, he unleashes a fire blast so devastating it not only knocks back the enemies attacking him but devastated much of the surrounding area. This temporarily disables all of his pursuers, giving the Shield Hero and his party a chance to escape.
- Chekhov's Gunman: When the shadow appears, Naofumi recognizes her as the woman who tried to warn her about the Three Hero Church's machinations against him when she finishes her sentences with "I dare say".
- Frame-Up: Naofumi sees one of the knights holding a broadcasting crystal ball and gets a bad feeling, something that is proven true when one of them attacks him with a sword and accuses him of trying to kidnap the princess. They even go on to tamper the footage to portray them gorily mowing down the knights with Psychotic Smirks and broadcasting it all over Melromarc.
- Hypocrite: Motoyasu has tried killing Naofumi twice over enslaving two girls (one of which being Filo), and yet here he has her chained against her will with magic manacles.Motoyasu: You're finally mine Filo!Filo: Let go of me!
- Idiot Hero: Ren, Itsuki and Motoyasu full stop. When Malty invalidates Melty's claims that she wasn't kidnapped and that Naofumi is innocent of the crimes he is accused of by claiming that Naofumi has a shield that allows him to brainwash people and that he has been using it to make the peasantry worship him, they believe it immediately. When Naofumi points out the obvious that having brainwashing powers would mean that he would not be in the situation he is in nownote , Ren shifts the burden of proof and asks for Naofumi to provide proof that he doesn't have this power and asks him to turn over Melty. Even when Malty is blatantly trying to kill Melty, they don't seem to find this suspicious (at least not enough to question the legitimacy of her claims).Ren: What are you doing? Stop, now!Malty: To save her from Naofumi's brainwashing, she must die!
- Matriarchy: It is revealed that the Queen is actually higher in the pecking order than the King, who married into the position.
- The Victim Must Be Confused: When Melty tries explaining to Ren, Itsuki and Motoyasu that Naofumi is actually protecting her and did not kidnap her, Malty claims that she is under a supposed brainwashing power that the Shield Hero apparently has. Naturally, the Three Heroes believe it immediately.
- You Will Not Evade Me: Although Naofumi and his comrades managed to escape their pursuers, the villains have not given up. The episode ends with Malty along with a contingent of knights and mages setting fire to the forest and it is very clear what their intentions are.
