Episode 8

The Mask is Laughing (仮面は嗤う) is the eighth episode of the Anime. It aired in Japan on May 25th, 2022.

Synopsis
Ard's class puts on a play that recounts the fight in Demon Lord Varvatos' time, and later, Slyphy, under the control of the masked man, tries to kill Ard.

Summary
On the day of the play, Ireena is notably nervous about the performance, and Ard tries to console her, but his efforts seem futile to him. Later the play is performed, which Ard notes depicted the Avia Desa Veers battle.



A flashback of the battle shows, Varvatos accompanied by Lydia, Slyphy, Alvarto, Verda, Lizer and their army observing over the horizon the enemy base they'll attack. Varvatos lays out the plans on how they'll proceed, and Slyphy tries to argue in favor of Lydia, who tells her to shut her trap, much to Slyphy's chagrin. Avia Desa Veers himself then taunts the group. Later that night, Slyphy approaches Alvarto and requests that he allow her to join the fight with them the following day. However, she still refuses in favor of Lydia as she considers Slyphy to be her successor. Pleading with Ard to reconsider, he accepts Slyphy's request and notes that he'll take full responsibility. The following day, Avia wielding Demise-Argis planned to decimate Varvatos and his army, but traps set by Slyphy took out him and his men. Although this allowed Lydia to lay the deciding blow against Avia, it's soon learned that Slyphy planted traps all around the area and has no clue exactly where they all may be. This prompts Varvatos to punch Slyphy for what she did. On their way back from the battlefield, Slyphy cries about being punished and that Varvatos broke his promise to take responsibility for her. Lydia, however, consoles her and gives her praise which lifts her spirit immensely.

Back in the present, the play Ard and group put on is a success; however, it's noted by Ginny that Slyphy did forget her lines, but was helped by Ard. As the actresses and actors wave to the audience, Slyphy spots someone who looks like Lydia, but turns out to be someone else. The mysterious masked man then approaches her. Afterward, Ard and Ginny speculate about Slyphy as they claim she's been acting weird as of late, but Ginny concludes that she's fallen for Ard. The person in question then sullenly approaches Ard and claims that she'll win the sword tournament and, after it, asks that he follow her to the Tree of the Sword King. When Slyphy walks away, Ginny wishes Ard good luck. During the Sword Tournament, Slyphy briskly wins her match against Ireena.



That night, Ard meets with Slyphy at the predetermined location. Unbeknownst to the two, Ginny and Ireena were secretly watching from afar. Instead of a confession of love, Slyphy, with glowing red eyes, vows to kill Ard and reveals that the replica of the Sword Vald-Galgulus was, in fact, the genuine one. She then summons the Demise-Argis and, now duo wielding the two swords, says a chant that powers herself up and changes into a different outfit. Slyphy then attacks Ard, flees the scene, and the masked man watches as everything unfolds. It's revealed that the masked man told the truth to Slyphy about Ard's true identity, and manipulated her to try and kill Ard. Both Ireena and Ginny try and stop Slyphy, but their efforts are futile. Ard reappears in a form similar to the one in his previous life and, despite his efforts, cannot stop Slyphy. It's the voice of Lydia that finally calms Slyphy down enough to break the manipulation spell cast on her. At that moment, the masked man appeared, and now duo wielding the swords tried to kill Ard himself but lost his right arm and control of the blades. In the end, the masked man is seemingly destroyed, and the spirit of Lydia is shown to inhabit the Demise-Argis who then briefly talks with Slyphy.

Characters
Characters in order of appearance.
 * Ireena Litz de Olhyde
 * Slyphy Marheaven
 * Ginny Fin de Salvan
 * Ard Meteor
 * Varvatos
 * Lydia Beginsgate
 * Lizer Bellphoenix
 * Verda El Hazard
 * Alvarto Exex
 * Avia Desa Virus