Mushoku Tensei II – 12 (Fin) – A Pair from Buena

No More Fancy Talk

Now that Rudy knows Silent Fitz is Sylphiette, he feels like a fool for not realizing it so much sooner. Quite right, so he should! But in his defense, the Sylphie he knew was a crybaby who clung to him, and is now more levelheaded and looks out for others—including him. That said, “Fitz” could also be an airhead, and had just the cutest, prettiest shy smile.

Rudy could see Sylphiette shining through the anachronistic shades. He didn’t fall in love with Fitz, but the fine person Sylphie had become. He wastes no time replying to her confession with one of his own: he loves her too. Just like that, Sylphie the crybaby emerges anew…but they’re tears not of frustration, but unbridled joy.

As we know from her enthusiastic presentation to Ariel and Luke, Sylphie is ready, willing, and eager to become a woman, and for Rudy to make her one. Unfortunately, while his tent briefly pitches, it just as quickly falls again.

On the Mend

Rudy prostrates himself and formally apologizes to Sylphie, but unlike Sara she takes it well. He may not be able to get it up tonight, but obviously she still loves him. Rudy needed to hear from her that both these things were true. Instead of get it on, they get cozy under a blanket by the fire, and talk, like they should have done a year ago.

Sylphie recounts how she attacked Paul after Rudy left with Ghislaine, then vowed to become strong enough to protect him, as he had protected her. They walk home, holding hands, on an absolutely gorgeous winter dawn, the sprawling wilderness matching their mutual love in its majestic vastness.

She was shocked when he said “Nice to meet you,” he apologizes, but said she should have said something sooner. She admits she probably should have, but couldn’t work up the courage. He then apologizes for taking a year to realize it.

After a year of hiding who she is, Sylphie is now so open and honest, thanking Rudy for being alive. Recall, there was a time after Eris left that he didn’t want to be. But now not only is there life below Rudy’s belt, but a great weight has been lifted: Sylphie is not only alive and alright, but she’s a total badass who loves him dearly.

A Greyrat After All

When Sylphie makes her report to Princess Ariel and Luke, we get a shot of her from outside looking into the window of the room, and she’s clearly giddily describing what went down. But because it doesn’t have the happy ending she expected, and learns Rudy came to Ranoa to cure his impotence, Ariel almost treats it as a failure.

But Luke, now showing he’s every bit a Greyrat, corrects the princess: “There are times when a man can’t help it”. He readily empathizes with Rudy’s plight, as it finally explains why the guy has been so docile and “diffident”, something that pissed Luke off to no end. It all makes sense to him now! I loved this sudden emergence of True Luke the Wingman, as well as Ariel’s reaction to it!

Rudy didn’t fail to make love to Sylphie out of choice, they just need a little help. Luke offers to provide that help, and in what must’ve been an intentionally double entendre-laced exchange, he warns Sylphie if she’s truly ready to accept the cure “even if it may prove hard on” her. She replies that she “can take it.”

THE Subtle Art of Seduction

When Luke returns from his errand, Ariel is trying to teach Sylphie how to exert her feminine wiles, but Luke splashes cold water on that notion, as he says Sylphie “lacks the figure for feminine wiles.” He explains that Greyrat men throughout history have been drawn to buxom women, and as an example, he feels no attraction at all for Sylphie.

Both comments are rude as hell, and Sylphie’s reactions are pure gold. I’m almost ready to throw Luke back to the wolves, but he comes bearing a gift, and not just any gift, the single most valuable thing he possesses. It’s something you’d expect a Greyrat man to treasure, as well: a powerful aphrodisiac potion from Fittoa.

What had been his retirement/emergency fund, he offers to Sylphie without hesitation, out of thanks for saving his life so many times. He warns her that any man who drinks it will “lose control”, and she may be wise to drink some herself if she fears she “can’t keep up.” I love how stern and serious Luke is talking about doing the nasty; he’s in top Greyrat form.

Just as Rudy didn’t hesitate to return his feelings for Sylphie, she doesn’t hesitate to give making love another try, as she comes to his door with strong wine and snacks and the aphrodisiac in her pocket. Once she enters she locks his door and makes clear she intends to spend the night with him. She then sees that she’s already inspired him to craft a new statuette of her.

A Rudy Awakening

Sylphie toasts to the two of them, a pair from Buena in Fittoa reunited. Rudy toasts to the future, which makes Sylphie blush, but she then proceeds to reminisce about the past. When he sees her drink is too strong for her taste, he adds hot water to dilute the booze. She recalls that when they first met she had just been pelted with mud, and he cleaned her off with hot water. Then, as now, he was there to comfort her.

With the past discussed with warmth, the time then comes to deal with the present state of things. Sylphie produces the vial and explains what it’s for, and again Rudy doesn’t hesitate. He gulps some down, and its effect is almost immediate.

As such, Sylphie quickly begins disrobing, telling him once it kicks in, he doesn’t have to hold back. She then drinks some, lets him draw her close. She can feel him, and whispers in his ear that he’s free to “dig in.” So he does. All in all, it’s very tastefully done.

I’m Right hEre.

As Sylphie lies expectantly on the bed, the scene ends with her in mid-sound, followed by Rudy waking up the next morning. Sylphie isn’t lying next to him, and the only sign she was there is a small bloodstain on the sheets. It’s the second time a woman he slept with left him something red behind, and for a few rough moments, Rudy seems primed to fall back into despair.

This series and this season has kicked Rudy in the balls many times, but this thankfully is not one of them. Instead, it cuts him a break. Sylphie returns, explaining she only dressed and left so she could thank Ariel and Luke for all their help as soon as she could. Rudy, suffused with emotion and tears falling from his eyes, embraces Sylphie and repeats her name over and over.

She comforts him with the words that again, he needed to hear and only she could say: There, there. I’m right here. She is there, and she’s not going anywhere. What’s more, when Rudy’s hand travels to her chest, he realizes it wasn’t just the aphrodisiac, which he’d seen once before in Roa. That was just for last night. Sylphie herself has cured him, by being there.

Farewell to Fitz

Later that day, Rudeus comes before Princess Ariel and Luke, properly bows in the manner befitting his noble upbringing, and formally introduces himself. He declares that because Arial and Luke aided Sylphie in curing his illness, he stands ready to assist them in any way. He is at their disposal.

When Luke asks why the change of heart, Rudy makes clear he’d rather stay clear of power struggles in Asura, if his beloved is caught in one that changes things. And this, my friends, is the genius of Princess Ariel. An elite mage in Sylphie fell into her lap, but it wasn’t merely good fortune that kept her there. She befriended Sylphie and supported her every step of the way, which led to her to bringing another elite mage in Rudy to her cause.

That said, Ariel makes clear her affairs can wait until Rudy has resolved his own. To her, that doesn’t simply mean him finding all his family members lost in the teleportation. So she asks him plainly what he intends to do. Will he continue his search and leave Sylphie behind? Of course not! With clear eyes and unprecedented resolve, Rudeus Greyrat declares that he’ll marry Slyphie. Luke’s reaction is priceless; Sylphie’s is for the ages.

Ariel then proclaims that “Sylphiette Greyrat” no longer needs to dress and present as a man; she is free to embrace her femininity. The princess holds out a hand, and Sylphie removes her shades and returns them. Ariel makes clear she’ll be making use of Rudy’s reputation, but that he’s free to use her name as well. It’s 100% win-win, and a finally shades-less Slyphie stands proudly beside her husband-to-be and thanks the princess for everything.

I feel I have to thank Mushoku Tensei as well. This season wasn’t without its cruelties and cul-de-sacs, it’s false starts and follies. But it stuck the motherfucking landing. There were no more rugs to pull out from under us, Rudy, or Sylphie.

Instead, it checked off some vital boxes with grand flourish and a proverbial golden quill filled with the finest ink. Rudy and Sylphie are reunited. Rudy is cured. Every moment they shared the screen, my heart melted. Ten out of ten finale, no notes, and I can’t freakin’ wait for Part Two.

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