After taking a week off, The Seven Deadly Sins: Four Knights of the Apocalypse episode 12 aired on Monday, January 8, 2024. The episode debuted a new opening theme, [Your Key] by JOI, and an ending song, Unfinished by Zakinosuke, marking the start of its second cour.
The journey to Liones is proving to be more challenging than anticipated, unlike the typical ease portrayed in many fantasy adventures. Sin predicts that Percival's trek to Liones will take approximately four days at their current pace.
Four Knights of the Apocalypse episode 12 - The mysterious mountain village
Four Knights of the Apocalypse episode 12 immediately captures the excitement of Percival and Donny upon encountering the first sign of civilization. However, the episode wastes no time in revealing the deceptive nature of the mountain village where the group has arrived.
Is the mysterious village a respite or prison?
The village mystery in Four Knights of the Apocalypse episode 12 (Image via Our Website)
The theme of being caught off guard in situations that are more complex than they first appear is a recurring element in Four Knights of the Apocalypse. Fans will notice this theme repeating in the Cant and Echo Gorge arcs, as well as in the mysterious village featured in episode 12. What initially seems to be a temporary resting place for Donny and Percival turns out to be something entirely different.
Right from the start of episode 12 of Four Knights of the Apocalypse, there's an unsettling vibe about the cozy-looking village in the mountains: when Donny, Sin, and Percival enter, there's a warping effect, the people all have permanent smiling expressions and black eyes, and they speak a Demonic language instead of Britannian English. Furthermore, the food and drink taste peculiar, with a scene implying that they may be consuming human flesh.
Ard: Friend, Foe, or both?
The village chief, a tall human man with a staff, is the only one who can seemingly communicate with Percival and Donny, and he only worsens the situation when he incapacitates Sin. Eventually, the village's true nature is revealed - it is actually a village of demons disguised as humans, and their presence is uncovered when a massive stone idol is destroyed.
Ard: father and knight (Image via Our Website)
When Nasiens and Anne try to follow Percival and Donny inside, they are intercepted by Ard, an archer. He cautions them against entering the village, explaining that it only appeared a decade ago and that the villagers never venture beyond the stone circle, as doing so would result in them revealing their true forms. This moment is portrayed in episode 12 of Four Knights of the Apocalypse.
In the episode, Ard upholds his end of the agreement made between Nasiens and Anne by diverting the attention of the villagers so that the two can rescue Donny and Percival. He appears genuine, as confirmed by Anne's intuition when he speaks about his daughter Connie and his determination to reunite with her once his mission is complete.
However, a major twist is revealed in Four Knights of the Apocalypse episode 12: Ard is actually a Holy Knight serving King Arthur under the name Ardbeg, dedicated to eradicating all the Demons in the village. This deceit is exposed at the end when his true armored form is unveiled, along with his dog who is actually a massive familiar disguised as an illusion.
Deceptions uncovered- Who is the real villain?
Two deceptions and confusion (Image via Our Website)
The revelation that the village is populated by demons and Ard is a Holy Knight raises a key question in Four Knights of the Apocalypse episode 12: who is the true antagonist? Percival's group has suffered at the hands of the Holy Knights of Camelot, with Talisker poisoning Echo Gorge, Pellegarde battling Percival in the first village, and Ironside nearly sacrificing Sistana to the Coffin of Eternal Darkness, among other incidents.
The conflict in Four Knights of the Apocalypse episode 12 is complex. Percival's ability to make friends led to his befriending of the demons, with the village chief claiming they do not mean harm to the group. However, this seems suspicious given Sin was knocked out and Nasiens was captured. The demons' only adversary seems to be Ardbeg, who has sworn to eradicate the demons in the name of Britannia.
Final Thoughts
Considering Ardbeg's background is crucial when assessing the two sides. While not explicitly stated, it is heavily suggested in Four Knights of the Apocalypse episode 12 that Connie passed away some time ago, possibly at the hands of demons. Despite Ardbeg not appearing to harbor any resentment towards Percival's group, the outcome of the situation remains uncertain.
Episode 12 of Four Knights of the Apocalypse demonstrates the recurring theme that appearances can be deceiving, adding depth to the series. The aftermath of the demon and human war in Seven Deadly Sins continues to impact the characters, as shown in this episode.
The true outcome of this situation will be revealed in due time. Episode 12 of Four Knights of the Apocalypse presents a unique predicament where there may not be a clear right or wrong. The episode concludes with the revelation of Ardbeg and introduces more unanswered questions: Who was contacting Sin in his dreams? Is Ardbeg the antagonist, or are the demons, or is there no clear villain in this scenario? Viewers will have to stay tuned for future episodes to uncover the truth.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan, I'm thrilled to see the continuation of The Seven Deadly Sins: Four Knights of the Apocalypse. The latest episode, titled "Mysterious Village Hinders Path to Liones," takes the story in an unexpected direction, introducing a mysterious mountain village that raises more questions than it answers. The episode's pacing is excellent, quickly establishing the village's deceptive nature and keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.
The theme of being caught off guard in complex situations is a recurring element in the series, and it's executed effectively in this episode. The cozy-looking village initially appears to be a safe haven for Percival and Donny, but it soon becomes clear that something sinister is lurking beneath the surface. The unsettling atmosphere, the villagers' strange behavior, and the implications of consuming human flesh create a sense of unease and heighten the tension.