Original release date: March 29th, 2024.
The year is 1481. It has been three years since Lord Richard Koopa, his family and allies were sentence to ten years in exile. The absence of her enemies has allowed Queen Cynder to rule the Koopa Kingdom through her husband John VI with the aid of her allies. Unbeknownst to the Kayennans however, Lord Berwick Python is far from pleased with this outcome, and thus begins plotting to invade the Koopa Kingdom and replace John VI with Lord Richard.
- Artistic License – History: Similarly to the chocolate cake situation in the previous episode, in the camp that the Kayenne forces have set in Riverside Park, bowls of fruit with oranges can be seen. Historically, the orange is a fruit that is native to Asia, and while it was introduced in Europe (with the continent the series takes place in being clearly based on Europe) in the 10th century, that exclusively applies to the bitter orange. The more desired and well-known sweet orange wouldn't be introduced in Europe until the 16th century.
- Did You Actually Believe...?: Prior to the Siege of the Black Tower, Lord Manfred attempted to negotiate with Sir Siebold and Lord Kolfax, stating that should they peacefully surrender the Tower, they would be spared. Siebold immediately turns down the idea, claiming that the Pythons cannot be trusted. When the siege is prolonged for the entire day and Siebold still refuses to yield, Kolfax betrays and kills him and orders the garrison to surrender the tower in hopes of saving his own life, and when he meets up with Manfred and his men to formally hand them control of the Black Tower...Kolfax: The Tower's yours. (chuckle) Sorry for all the trouble.
Manfred: Better late than never I suppose. What took you so long?
Kolfax: Oh. (chuckle) Sir Siebold didn't believe we'd be spared.
Manfred: Perhaps you should've listened to your friend.
Kolfax: Wait, what?! (is immediately stabbed and killed by Trayce Waterling) - Disposable Vagrant: Berwick tells Richard and Tulisa that his plan to invade the Kingdom would involve no bloodshed... except for that of farmers and commoners because no one cares about them.
- Doomed Hometown: Lord Richard grew up in Waterlog Marsh, being taken in and raised by Lord Kassimeer after losing his parents at a young age. From his exile, he learns of the King's men having ransacked Waterlog Marsh, and worried for his uncle's safety immediately travels back there, only to find a desolated wasteland full of ruins, ashes and bodies, and Lord Kassimeer's skull on a pike. Because of this, Richard reconsiders Berwick's proposal of taking the throne of the Koopa Kingdom.
- Eye Scream: Zachary and Kuthbert poke out a knight's eye at the battle.
- For the Evulz: Lord Garnet accused Lord Kassimeer of treason and then abused the authority granted by Queen Cynder so that his allies can Rape, Pillage, and Burn Waterlog Marsh and murder Lord Kassimeer without facing any consequences. He had no reason to do this other than to hurt Lord Richard.
- Ignored Expert: Throughout the siege of the Black Tower, Lord Kolfax implores Sir Siebold to surrender under the basis that Lord Mafred had promised to spare them should they do so, but Siebold refuses, constantly telling Kolfax that he doesn't believe Manfred because he knows that the Pythons are not to be trusted. After the siege is prolonged for an entire day, Kolfax betrays and kills Siebold and orders for the Tower to be surrendered in a desperate attempt to save his own life. However, when meeting up with the Sherbetians to hand them control of the Black Tower, Manfred reveals that he had lied about showing the garrison mercy, and Kolfax is immediately killed by Sir Trayce Waterling.
- In the Back:
- Siebold is both figuratively and literally backstabbed by Lord Kolfax, who killed him in a desperate attempt to save his own life as Lord Manfred had promised the garrison of the Black Tower mercy should they peacefully surrender the tower. As Kolfax would later realize, Manfred had lied about this, and he is immediately killed after surrendering the tower, having killed Siebold in vain.
- Harrin, who was already fatally wounded, is viciously stabbed in the back by Lord Hoarfrost in battle, which accelerates his death (all witnessed by his brother Korrin, nonetheless).
- Inspirational Martyr: Lord Richard had initially turned down Berwick's proposal of taking the throne, telling Berwick that he wouldn't stop him if he wished to invade the Koopa Kingdom but that he would have no part in it, but reconsiders his decision upon discovering that the King's men had ransacked Waterlog Marsh and brutally murdered his uncle Lord Kassimeer.
- Killed Off for Real: Notable casualties in this episode include Lord Sylver and his first-born son and heir Harrin, Lord Tyebolt, Ronan Blackfoot, and arguably the most important of all, Lord Kassimeer.
- Kingmaker Scenario: Fed up with John VI's disastrous reign and the fact that he banished the Sherbet forces to exile, Berwick begins conspiring to invade the Koopa Kingdom and place Lord Richard on the throne, noting that Richard's uncle, Lord Kassimeer, has a strong claim to the throne that would be passed on to Richard once he dies due to him being childless. His plan is a success, quickly taking over the Koopa Castle and seizing control of Bright Valley and capturing John VI in the Battle of Riverside Park, and while Lord Richard initially turns down his proposal to take the throne, he changes his mind when he learns of the King's men brutally ransacking Waterlog Marsh and killing Lord Kassimeer.
- Make an Example of Them: Heavily implied to be the reason why Lord Garnet killed Sir Devan; to show Anna what would happen to her if she ever tried to cross him.
- More Deadly Than the Male: Lily shows glimpses of this, showing little to no sympathy to Lord Redstone being captured and imprisoned by her father, stating that if it were her decision, she would have had him castrated. Later on she tries to manipulate Tobias into killing John VI in battle, and when he almost does so, Berwick has to stop him, as he needs the King alive for his plan.
- Let's Get Dangerous!: Lord Sylver might have often switched his allegiance depending on who held the most power and influence and might have often been shown to be somewhat cowardly, but he proves that his loyalty to John VI is genuine by rallying up his allies to go toe-on-toe against Lord Berwick's men and protect John VI. While he dies attempting to save the King, he does manage to put up a good fight.
- Outliving One's Offspring:
- Lord Russet and his wife Sabitha outlive their son Raymund, who was killed by Laron Ironside during the Fall of Bright Valley, with Sabitha being left bitter with grief over the loss of her son. Their other son Robin is killed later on by Tobias at the Battle of Riverside Park.
- While it is only for a few minutes as he is killed not long after, Lord Sylver outlives his first-born son and heir Harrin, who had died saving Korrin from being killed in-battle. It's more apparent in the case of his wife Rosanna.
- Period Piece, Modern Language: Zachary calls Korrin "twink", a slang term whose first documented use was in the late 20th century. Reminder that the series is set in the 15th century.
- Rape, Pillage, and Burn: The final fate of Waterlog Marsh. The forces led by Lord Garnet pillage, murder and burn down the villages, as well as Lord Kassimeer's castle, ultimately leaving the earldom as a desolated wasteland scattered with the bodies of innocent civilians. The rape part isn't explicitly mentioned or shown, but it is heavily implied by two Blackfoot men fighting over a female peasant.
- Royal Brat: Godwin fits this to a T. He treats everyone around him very poorly and believes himself to be above others just because he is John VI's heir. Understandably enough, James hates him.
- Shoot the Shaggy Dog:
- Sir Siebold's perseverance and determination to prevent the Black Tower from falling to the rebellious Sherbetians, further supported by his successful military career and fame for coming out victorious from adverse situations, is rendered useless as he is betrayed and killed by his fellow commander Lord Kolfax, who only cared about saving his own life and believed that Lord Manfred would spare him if he surrendered the Black Tower (though to somewhat compensate this, Manfred reveals that he had lied and has Kolfax killed).
- Lord Sylver rallying up his allies to prevent Lord Berwick's men from reaching John VI's tent and capturing him. While they put up a good fight, they are all quickly slain by the rebels.
- Slasher Smile: Two instances of this provided by Tobias and Trayce Waterling (Lord Manfred's illegitimate son) when holding a sword over John VI's neck and when viciously stabbing Lord Kolfax respectively.
- Taking the Bullet:
- At the Battle of Riverside Park, Ronan jumps in front of Sanderling and protects him from the fireball Jorgon breathed at him, taking mortal damage in the process.
- Harrin and Korrin have to face off against Lord Tusk and Lord Hoarfrost's men, and after Korrin is knocked down and disarmed by the Sherbetians, Harrin fends them off to give Korrin an opportunity to escape to safety, losing his life in front of his brother in the process.
- Villain-by-Proxy Fallacy: Lord Russet's wife Sabitha applies this logic and blames Anna for the predicament she and her husband have found themselves into, as well as the fact that her son Raymund got killed by Lord Berwick's men, as Anna is the daughter of Lord Richard, and she is convinced that he and Lord Berwick worked together to invade the Koopa Kingdom. Anna tries to explain Sabitha that her father had nothing to do with the invasion, but Sabitha refuses to listen to her, and her husband has to come into Anna's defense.
- Wham Line: This exchange of words between Berwick and Sir Laron Ironside reveals why Lord Agron Ironside requested Queen Cynder to make Laron commander of the Valley Watchmen three years prior:Berwick: I'm afraid you're mistaken sergeant. We're here to save the Valley. Isn't that right, Sir Laron?
(There is a short Beat. Laron then smiles confidently)
Laron: My brother told me we'd be expecting you. Shall we head to the castle?
