Shield and Freedom

Shield and Freedom (盾と自由) is the 13th episode of the Log Horizon anime. It first aired on December 28, 2013.

Synopsis
The events of this episode take place in the Ancient Palace of Eternal Ice where the representatives of the Round Table Alliance are with a small interlude of Tohya's Party in the Ragranda Forest dungeon.

Meetings
The Round Table Representatives find themselves with invitations to various meetings throughout the palace and they divide them amongst themselves. Shiroe will attend a dinner meeting with Count Kirino of Tsukuba and the Academic's Guild, Krusty will go to an evening party of young knights and Michitaka will attend a banquet with Lord Darte.

Krusty and Rayneshia
Meanwhile, as Elissa warns Rayneshia to be wary of the Adventurers, the latter recalls her previous meeting with Krusty where he used her as a convenient shield against scrutiny from the palace folk. The next day, she witnesses the sparring session with the palace knights where Krusty craftily manipulates her into accompanying him to the evening party as a reward for defeating all the knights. Elsewhere, Akatsuki eavesdrops on two noblemen at the palace and learns of a group of Ancients called the Knights of Izumo, who have apparently disappeared. Afterwards, Krusty explains to Rayneshia the freedom of the Adventurers due to their resolve as opposed to her sheltered life.

Training Camp
Meanwhile, Tohya's Party is seen fleeing from a group of Skeletons. When they finally got away from them, Rundelhous Code starts complaining that in spite of their relatively high level, they can't seem to defeat the Skeletons. Minori tries to speak her mind, but quickly backs down again.

At the beach, Maryelle and Shoryu notice a strange phenomenon on the ocean horizon, but quickly dismiss it.

Ancient Palace of Eternal Ice
Back at the Ancient Palace of Eternal Ice, Lord Darte asks Michitaka to share seafaring technology with him. After Krusty and Rayneshia attend the formal party, Krusty explains his interest in her by comparing her to his sister in the real world. Elsewhere, Shiroe meets with Akatsuki after his meeting with the Academic's Guild and learns of the information she gathered, when suddenly a weird phenomenon happens: everything start to vibrate and the flowers wither as the Enchanter and Assassin readied their weapons. Then suddenly a mysterious man appears, introducing himself as Li Gan, the Mage from Miral Lake.