The Depths of Palm

The Depths of Palm (パルムの深き場所 Parumu no Fukaki Basho) is the 3rd episode of Log Horizon anime. It first aired on October 19, 2013.

Synopsis
The episode begins with Wyverns flying around Tear Stone Mountain, with Shiroe's Party walking to the Depths of Palm. Upon arriving at the entrance, Akatsuki notes that the area looks different in-person compared to when it was still a game.

Depths
A little bit later, Shiroe and Naotsugu are walking through the depths when Akatsuki reports in to tell them that there are no enemies in sight. Shiroe gives a recap on what they were doing; they were three days into a journey to save Serara in Susukino. Although Griffins can only be used four hours per day, by using them, the party managed to travel a distance that would take two weeks by horse. As they arrived at Tear Stone Mountain, the presence of Wyverns caused them to decide to dismount the Griffins and go through the Depths of Palm by foot, even though it took more time and was dangerous. The Depths of Palm is a complex maze of ancient tunnels and mine shafts, that lead to the northern side of Tear Stone Mountain.

Back into present time, Naotsugu praises the design of the tunnel when suddenly, the bridge cracks, something they note was not in the game. Akatsuki and Shiroe then notice the presence of Rat-Men, a type of demi-human monster. Although it is low-leveled, it can spread plague. Also, they instinctively knew the level difference between them and Shiroe's Party, so they decide not to attack until they could have the party cornered. For this reason, Shiroe decides to take another route when Akatsuki notices the presence of Rat-Men at the top of the tunnel.

As they to take a break in a safe area, Akatsuki reports that she already scouted the floor ahead. As Shiroe thanks Akatsuki and asks what she saw, Akatsuki gets annoyed by the fact that he was too formal. Awkward, Shiroe asks Naotsugu go ahead and eat, but Naotsugu seems depressed over the tasteless food that couldn't be cooked and didn't change even if a Chef made it. The only respite was that they could put salt and sugar into food to make it taste a bit better. After, Naotsugu complains that he had lunch with salty mush, breakfast with sugary mush and dinner with orange that has no taste, Shiroe gets a call from Maryelle, who asks about his location.

She is surprised when he told her that he had already reached the Depths of Palm, unaware that he and Naotsugu were in possession of Griffins. Henrietta barges into the call, first asking about how they did it and immediately asking about Akatsuki's safety, much to the petite girl's horror. Diverting Maryelle's and Henrietta's questions, Shiroe asks the guild mistress about Serara's status, to which she responds that Serara was hiding with a "nice guy" after Shiroe gives an explanation about Telepathy.

Serara's side
As Shiroe wonders what the "nice guy" in Susukino was like, the scene switches to Serara inside a house. There, she displays surprise and agony over the fact that her Housekeeper level is now 44. She bemoans how she picked such a useless subclass and wonders what it would be like to have a Production subclass while she cleans the house. Her subclass level keeps rising because she's always cleaning the house out of boredom. Coming to a sort of realization, she declares that she's actually practicing being a housewife, waiting for her "kitty-husband" to come home. Much to to her shock and slight horror, Nyanta arrived just after she said this out loud.

Regaining her composure, Serara asks about situation in town, to which he replies that is the same as usual. Then, it shows some Brigandia members robbing from the Lander merchants and harassing them. As Nyanta and Serara talk, Nyanta praises the house’s cleanliness and shows that the house is located in a deserted building. Then, Nyanta asked about people on their way to save Serara, and she states that they may arrive tomorrow, before noon. Nyanta seems really excited to see how people that come to save Serara.

Guild Gathering
Then, it comes to Shiroe again. Maryelle thanks Shiroe for accepting the request. Shiroe don't tell the Maryelle about the griffon. Then, they continue the journey. Henrietta doubt how Shiroe going to cross the tunnel but Maryelle convince that Shiroe has some plan. Henrietta then, satisfied and ask Maryelle why Shiroe doesn't want to join a guild even though he is a great strategist. However, Maryelle don't know the reason. Suddenly, Liliana appeared and told Maryelle everybody has come. As Maryelle and his friend walk along the hallway, Maryelle ask for presence and one of the guild member told that 60% is coming, 10% don't reply, and 30% refuse. On the other side, Takayama Misa informs Krusty about the guild gathering and Shiroe current position.

Fall and Flashback
Meanwhile, Naotsugu almost falls from the cracking bridge. Shiroe heard more cracking sound and trying to stop Akatsuki and Naotsugu, then the bridge cracking. Shiroe want to take another route but the bridge collapsed and Shiroe fall onto the lake. Akatsuki tried to fall too but stopped by Naotsugu.



Shiroe was struggling to survive in the water as he afraid if he died he will be transported to the Cathedral in Akihabara. As he heard Akatsuki and Naotsugu call his name he hallucinates. His memories in real life came flooding into his mind. He was a silent-type person. When he started playing Elder Tale, people keep coming to him but this annoyed him. Then, he remembered the Debauchery Tea Party's member. He was really surprised at at the sunrise and the girl of the Debauchery Tea Party.

Shiroe regain consciousness and see Akatsuki really worried about him while Naotsugu wiping his sword. Naotsugu told Shiroe to thank Akatsuki as she jumped down to save Shiroe. Akatsuki told that Naotsugu also jumped to save both of them. So, Shiroe thanks the both of them. Akatsuki also thanks Shiroe because he also tried to save her life. Strangely, Shiroe doesn't feel hurt or cold from impact of the fall. Naotsugu told that it maybe because he is level 90. Naotsugu also told that he also not tired from walking.

Naotsugu ask if they are nearly at the exit and Shiroe answered that they are near and Akatsuki praise Shiroe because he is really good at cartography. Shiroe told that his subclass is Scribe and he did CAD work in real life. Akatsuki ask what CAD means and Shiroe told that is was design on the computer. Then, he revealed that he used to do it in college and he was engineering student. He was also about to graduate and Akatsuki told him that they are same age, suprising the two of them. Naotsugu told that she looks like a little child but before could finish his sentence he gets kneed by Akatsuki. Akatsuki told Naotsugu that it was he fault for being perverted and Naotsugu wonder pervert and ask Akatsuki that she mean boobs and got a knee again whithout finish his sentences. Akatsuki ask if Shiroe thought she was also child but Shiroe can't answer it. When mention kid Shiroe remember seeing Tohya and Minori in Elder Tale. He supposed the kids were joining a guild and continue the journey. He intend to find them one day.

Akatsuki realize Shiroe was thinking and ask what he thinking. Shiroe denied it but Akatsuki told that whenever Shiroe think his brow furrows like an old man. Naotsugu laughed because Akatsuki told Shiroe like old man.

Rat-Maso


Suddenly, they been switched zone and aware of a presence of something big blocking the stairs. The monster look like rat-man and Shiroe suppose it was a new monster in the Novasphere Pioneers expansion. Although it was risky Shiroe decided to eliminate Rat-Maso.Naotsugu went to right of monster and distract it with light green from his armor. The monster attack Naotsugu with his tail and Akatsuki come from behind the monster and attack with Stealth Blade skill. Along with that, Naotsugu attack with Cross Slash skill. While Naotsugu and Akatsuki keep fighting, Shiroe uses the Thorn Bind Hostage skill. Akatsuki and Naotsugu attack the thorn but it defense is pretty high and Akatsuki finish last shot with Assassinate skill and a help hand of Mind Shock and Keen Edge skill from Shiroe.



Shiroe stunned seeing the ocean view at sunset. Shiroe remember when he in Debauchery Tea Party, the Tea Party leader keeps telling him to experience new things in adventure. Shiroe and his friend remark that they were the first players to ever arrive at the end of Depth of Palm.

Susukino side
The episode ended with Demiqas from Brigandia robbing a player that trying to escape from Susukino and command his guild member to search for Serara and Nyanta.