EPISODE CONTEXT

Episode 10 sits at the critical turning point of a 12-episode season, directly processing the aftermath of Algard's disinheritance in Episode 9 and Anisphia's forced return to the line of succession. It functions as the emotional bridge between the climactic sibling confrontation and the final stretch, which will tackle the political and magical obstacles — including noble support and a potential spirit contract — needed to resolve the succession crisis. This is the calm before the final storm, but 'calm' here means emotionally devastating rather than uneventful.