Delicious in Dungeon episode 9 gave us a reunion we all knew was coming but didn’t know when. As the Delicious in Dungeon party rests and partakes in a meal, their ex-party member Namari and her new party stumble upon them. And with that, we’re reminded that it’s only been a week since the rescue Falin mission began. As the expected awkwardness and arguments take place. We’re left to wonder, how long does it take to be turned into dragon poop? Only Falin seems to know at the moment.
As the introduction of the two parties concludes and they start to go their separate ways, Laios pleads for their assistance in healing Marcille. But Grandpa Gnome is having none of that. Healthcare in the dungeon is like healthcare in the US. If you want to leave, you need cash. And cash is something the Delicious in Dungeon part is extremely short on. But, even as his pleas are ignored, he warns them about the Undine in the next room.
Grandpa Gnome is having none of it, and he lets Laios know that gnomes and spirits are like peas in a pod. Except that they aren’t. When Grandpa Gnome and his party step into the other room, even though he tries to buddy up to the Undine, They are quickly attacked, resulting in Namari taking one of the smoothest headshots in anime. Which in turn leads her to leave her earthly coil. But not really, as she’s revived.
We’re then informed that resurrection is specific to this particular dungeon. Should you get capped outside of the dungeon. You’re gone for good. But when you give up the ghost inside the dungeon, a powerful enchantment tethers your soul to your body. So, as soon as your wounds are regenerated, you come back to life.
Realizing that his party can’t fully guarantee his safety. Grandpa Gnome offers Laios a win-win situation. They tag along and help keep him safe as he explores, and after, in return, he’ll heal Marcille.
Not long after they depart, they’re attacked by a land-based cnidarian known as a tentacle. And much like their real-world counterparts, if one of them touches you, it results in a horrible time. As Laios prepares to fight the monster, Namari mentions that he shouldn’t completely trust resurrection magic due to its success rate.
This offers a pretty grim possibility. One in which Falin is nothing but fertilizer at the end of this adventure. Luckily for Laios, his head-on attack at the tentacles proved to be a wise move. As between him, Senshi, and Namari, they quickly cull the creature.
After their fight, Senshi and Laios are wounded, and through dumb luck, Senshi manages to hold on to part of the monster. As the group treats the wound with vinegar, Laios remarks that it’s good eating, and Senshi gives it a try but is far from impressed.
When Grandpa Gnome finally gets around to healing Marcille, another problem arises. Or rather, a preexisting problem rears its head. For any of the two parties to push forward, they must defeat the Undine. And that’s a task that’s easier said than done.
All the options present seem pretty bad. Marcille is out of magic; a direct battle would cause casualties. So, the only option is to wait. Undines, as it turns out, are a conglomerate of spirits. The lifetime of a spirit is approximately a week. Once the currently pissed-off spirits kick the bucket, the new ones should have no qualms with adventurers, and the parties can proceed.
But neither party can afford to wait that long, so Grandpa Gnome calls it a day, and his party decides to head back to the surface. At this point, Laios tells Marcille to head with them, but she refuses. Namari interjects, saying that the three remaining party members would be doomed without a mage, and upon hearing this, Marcille begs Namari to accompany her party in her stead. But Chilchuck points out how detrimental that would be to everyone involved. Sometimes, practicality overpowers sentimentality.
In some people, duress can cause the brain to overwork and think of novel ways to escape a tricky situation. Marcille is one of those people. She realizes that if she eats the Undine, she’ll gain its magic and be able to stay with her party. As Marcille racks her brain to figure out how to trap and dispose of the Undine, she sees a golden opportunity in Senshi’s pot. And to their added luck, Senshi’s pot happens to be made of adamant.
A metal so strong that it will provide more than enough protection against the Undine’s attack. With it, Senshi and Laios try to pincer and trap the Undine. But, it proves to be too strong for Laios. But have no fear! Nanami is here! As she takes the pot lid from Laios, she and Senshi manage to trap and subdue the Undine.
As Delicious in Dungeon, episode 9 draws to an end. Marcille finally decides that cooking monsters is a necessity. And, as she cooks a proper meal using the Undine and kelpie meat, her meal is not only good eating. But it returns her magic power as well. The Delicious in Dungeon party shares a meal with Namari’s party, wishes each other well, and heads their separate ways.
Screenshots via Netflix
© Ryoko Kui, KADOKAWA/Delicious in Dungeon PARTNERS