Ch. 81Erina Nakiri: What smells so good? / I, Erina Nakiri, have walked into a den of Devils!
Plot points and events
- Artoria fights Vali, the White Dragon Emperor. He activates his Balance Breaker, which lets him halve not only power but also the size of anything he touches.
- Vali’s attempt to shrink Artoria fails: her divine blessing protects her from the effect.
- Artoria releases Excalibur against Vali’s magical lightning. Though Vali uses his ability to weaken the blast, the attack still badly injures him.
- Vali concedes defeat and flies away, promising to fight Artoria again. Lin Luo restores Artoria’s depleted blessing through their familiar intimate contact.
- Meanwhile, Lin Luo’s companions grill meat from a Super Danger Beast. Erina Nakiri, drawn in by its extraordinary aroma, politely asks to try some and is invited to join them.
- Erina is astonished by how delicious the meat is, despite its simple preparation, and wonders what makes it taste so good.
Character developments and interactions
- Artoria demonstrates confidence and formidable strength, using her blessing and Excalibur to defeat Vali. She also shows concern for him afterward.
- Vali begins the fight self-assured, but recognizes Artoria’s strength, accepts his loss, and leaves on friendly terms.
- Lin Luo explains the mechanics of Vali’s Balance Breaker, assesses the battle, and replenishes Artoria’s power afterward.
- Erina follows her curiosity and appetite into an unfamiliar group’s gathering, while remaining courteous. Her enthusiastic reaction to the meat becomes the chapter’s comic closing beat.
- Utaha welcomes Erina to the meal. The others silently question Utaha’s decision to invite a beautiful stranger into their already complicated social circle, but Utaha appears unconcerned.
Significant themes
- Power and its limits: Vali’s ability can weaken even devastating attacks, but a sufficiently powerful strike can overcome it.
- Respect between opponents: Vali and Artoria fight seriously yet part amicably, with mutual admiration.
- Curiosity and temptation: The irresistible smell of the grilled meat draws Erina into the group, shifting the story from battle to comedy and social intrigue.