Highlights
- Rudeus grapples with his past life and parent’s death, leading to a love triangle with Roxy and Sylphy.
- Lilia advises Rudeus to do his own duty and not replace his father, emphasizing self-determination.
- Rudeus’s decision to return to Ranoa and seek Sylphy’s approval for marrying Roxy complicates his relationships.
Warning: The following contains spoilers for Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 2, Episode 22, “Let’s Go Home”, now available to stream on Crunchyroll.
The Mushoku Tensei anime series has taken a drastic turn with the death of Paul and Zenith’s condition. With recent happenings, Rudeus reminisces about his past life, wondering if his parents were worried about him, even as their life came to an end. After Rudeus became a shut-in in his past life, he didn’t interact much with his parents, and even after their deaths, he didn’t attend their funeral.
The Mushoku Tensei episode shows how Rudeus reincarnating with his memories didn’t allow him to see Paul as his father and Zenith as his mother. However, they were indeed his parents, but unfortunately, this reality sets in after Paul’s death.
Rudeus’ Grief And Roxy’s Unexpected Comfort
A Complex Affair
With Paul gone, Rudeus is left unsure of what to do and how to progress in his life. Unsurprisingly, Roxy comes to cheer him up, and she does more than offer words of compassion. She straight up decides to sleep with Rudeus and takes the lead. This puts Rudeus in a very tricky situation. As Roxy takes the lead, Rudeus is in no way leading her on; however, what about his wife Sylphy, who’s about to give birth to his first child? Interestingly, Roxy is aware of Rudeus having a wife and him about to have a child. And yet she confesses her love, her reason being that Sylphy isn’t around to heal Rudeus.
Of course, I heard that you have someone you love, and I’m sure that she’ll help you pick yourself back up, no matter how bad you felt. But she’s not here now, is she?… So I thought I’d just have to do it. —Roxy
Roxy’s reason as to why and how she’s replacing Sylphy for the time being isn’t the best. Broken down, it’s an excuse and an opportunity to help and soothe Rudeus in his time of need. While Rudeus did ease up a little, it only served to complicate things.
Lilia’s Guidance
Rudeus’ Path Forward Without Paul
Due to what Elinalise and Roxy said about being able to get a cure for Zenith, many fans had hopes that Paul’s sacrifice was truly worth it. However, with the new episode, the question of the worth of Paul’s sacrifice is called into question as Zenith’s condition is seemingly a lost cause.
With Zenith and Paul technically and literally gone forever, Rudeus asks himself circumstantial questions about his life and what he should do, and Lilia gives a clear-cut answer to his dilemma.
I realize I’m overstepping my bounds, Master Rudeus…Do your own duty —Lilia
By telling Rudeus to ‘do his own duty’, Lilia tells him that he does not have to carry on as a replacement for his father in the Greyrat family. Rudeus simply needs to do what he wants. While short and seemingly inconsequential, Lilia’s declaration bears considerable weight as it shows that Rudeus simply needs to live his life like he would’ve done if his parents were alive. Yes, he would need to take care of his sisters and care for the family if he could, but he is in no way a replacement for Paul, and he has no need to bear the responsibility of his late father. While Rudeus does seem extremely mature for his age, as a person who was reincarnated, he’s technically still quite young, and shouldn’t have to be bothered with ‘raising the family’.
Lilia even proves her words by telling Rudeus not to worry about taking care of Zenith, as she would handle that.
Love, Loyalty, And Complex Choices
Two Swords, Two Loves
After Roxy sleeps with Rudeus, Rudeus automatically finds himself in a love triangle as he discovers that he also has feelings for Roxy. While the feelings were different from what he had for Sylphy, they were undoubtedly there. Making a decision, Rudeus decides to go back to Ranoa, After all, the search for his family has now come to an end. Interestingly, despite his apparent feelings for Roxy, Rudeus doesn’t make a move on her as he strives to be faithful to his wife.
While commendable, Elinalise breaks through Rudeus’ final defense as she states that Rudeus can be married to both Sylphy and Roxy. After all, none of them are followers of Millis. While it’s true and commendable that Roxy’s friends are concerned about her and that Roxy is suffering, it feels like many aren’t thinking about Sylphy and only focusing on Roxy, who’s right in front of them.
Towards the end of the episode, Rudeus indirectly asks Roxy to marry him. While it was certainly romantic, many have feelings about whether it was the right thing to do. Rudeus should’ve spoken to Sylphy about it first, and thankfully, Roxy had the decency to know her place and tell him to request permission from Sylphy. In essence, if Rudeus gets Sylphy’s approval, he and Roxy are a go. But how will a pregnant Sylphy react to it? And by extension, what would Princess Ariel have to say?
Episode 23 of Mushoku Tensei certainly had a lot of complicated matters that fans could only ponder. The complexity of the direction in which Rudeus’ relationship and marriage situation are going makes it hard to determine a right and wrong course of action.
In a way, the episode shows the parallel between Rudeus and Paul, as Paul’s last profound words for Rudeus had him talking about using two swords and the difference but importance of both.