Re:ZERO season 3 episode 2: Subaru and co start their fight against the Sin Archbishops

Re:ZERO season 3 episode 2 was expected to continue focusing on Sirius Romanée-Conti’s powers and plans, likewise setting the stage for Subaru’s conflict with her. Officially released on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, the episode did just that, offering a straightforward explanation of what Sirius’ powers are.

Re:ZERO season 3 episode 2 also saw the fight between Subaru and Sirius begin several times, with Emilia joining in on the last attempt. However, this also led to the appearance of another Sin Archbishop and the reveal of their plans for Emilia likewise.

Re:ZERO season 3 episode 2 ups the ante as the battle against the Archbishops begins

Brief episode recap

Subaru tries, but fails to foil Sirius' plans in Re:ZERO season 3 episode 2's opening scenes (Image via White Fox)

Re:ZERO season 3 episode 2 began with Subaru calming down after reviving via Return by Death. However, as he went to thank the others, he was reminded of Sin Archbishop Sirius Romanée-Conti thanking the crowd before killing them. As Liliana Masquerade continued speaking, Subaru realized his reset point was just minutes before Sirius’ plan would go into action.

He initially asked Beatrice to come with him but remembered how fervently Petelgeuse Romanée-Conti pursued Emilia during season 1’s events. Thus, he asked Beatrice to stay with Emilia while he handled Sirius alone. Emilia stopped and offered him words of caution and safety, but he told her not to worry and that he’d protect her.

Re:ZERO season 3 episode 2 then saw Subaru enter the clocktower at its base, climbing it to find Lusbel, but no sign of Sirius. However, both of their eyes turned red as Sirius appeared behind them and activated her abilities. She commended Subaru’s kindness before wrapping her chain-like weapon around his neck. As he went to undo it, his fingers were sliced off due to its bladed chains.

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Sirius thanked and apologized to him while ranting about kindness and how it’s meant for others, and is thus love. Sirius’ words and the ongoing events then made it clear that her ability reciprocates emotions and feelings between targets, as well as injuries. Meanwhile, Subaru began ranting about how scared he still was of death, asserting that it made him human again. Sirius also ranted about fear and other emotions here as Subaru died.

Re:ZERO season 3 episode 2 then saw Subaru use Return by Death once more. Realizing that he needed help to beat Sirius, he decided Reinhard van Astrea was the best bet. He asked Rachins to summon Reinhard, convincing him by revealing that members of the Witch’s Cult would arrive.

Rachins then sent up a beacon into the sky to signal Reinhard with, but it was too late. Sirius then announced herself to the crowd, thanking Rachins for ensuring the crowd’s attention would be on her. Subaru also fell under her spell here, with the scene playing out very similarly to how it did the first time.

Re:ZERO season 3 episode 2 proves Sirius' powers to be particularly tricky to deal with (Image via White Fox)

However, Re:ZERO season 3 episode 2 saw Reinhard suddenly appear, breaking both Rachins and Subaru free of Sirius’ spell. Subaru briefly explained the situation to Reinhard as Sirius recognized him as the Master Swordsman. He then leaped into battle and immediately began attacking her. Meanwhile, Subaru rescued Lusbel while Reinhard all but defeated Sirius as the crowd chanted for him to kill her, still under her spell.

Subaru recognized that something was wrong as Reinhard approached Sirius to finish her off. However, he fell under her spell once more before being able to stop Reinhard, resulting in Sirius’ body and those of everyone else present being sliced in half. This seemingly included Reinhard also despite appearing to be immune to her Witch Factor.

Re:ZERO season 3 episode 2 saw Subaru revive via Return by Death yet again, clearly angered and disturbed by the fact that even Reinhard lost. He then decided to bring Beatrice shopping with him, leading her to realize something was wrong. Priscilla Barielle also noticed this as Subaru began explaining the situation to Beatrice, who trusted him immediately and fully.

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He explained Sirius’ power of sharing feelings and sensations, which made people unable to recognize danger. Likewise, any bodily harm she suffered was inflicted on all those under her spell. Beatrice argued teaming up with Reinhard was pointless since all mana around him blindly obeyed him given his powers, making Beatrice useless in turn.

Re:ZERO season 3 episode 2 saw her suggest using Shamac to nullify the spell’s effect on those targeted, allowing her to be defeated without harming others. Emilia then showed up behind them, apologizing for not waiting like Subaru said. She added that Priscilla told her if she didn’t go after Subaru now, she’d regret it. He tried to convince her to return but failed.

She furthered that when he fights, she fights, no matter what or who it’s for since she wants to protect him as he does her. Subaru relented but requested Emilia put her own safety first given the Witch’s Cult’s obsession with her. Sirius then appeared on the clocktower, prompting Emilia to immediately attack with her ice magic.

Re:ZERO season 3 episode 2 ends by showing a new side of Sirius (Image via White Fox)

However, Re:ZERO season 3 episode 2 saw Beatrice realize that Shamac won’t work here since Sirius’ power is a spiritual one. She deduced this from the fact that the nearby citizens were still under the effect of the spell despite Emilia’s attack. Sirius then noticed Emilia’s presence, becoming enraged at it and jumping to the ground below.

She was also furious, which Subaru commented was new for her. As she ranted, it became clear that Petelgeuse was her husband and that she was upset with Emilia for “stealing” and killing him. The two then began fighting, with Emilia not only holding her own but pushing Sirius back. The episode ended with Sirius pushing Emilia back and attacking her, but Regulus Corneas appeared in time to save her and “take her back.”

In summation

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Re:ZERO season 3 episode 2 primarily focused on explaining and demonstrating Sirius’ powers and the issues they present. This likewise confirmed that even Reinhard would be no match for her, seemingly falling to her powers as well after killing her. However, as Emilia got involved in the fight against Sirius, it became clear that both Sirius and Regulus have plans for the young girl which will play out over the season.