First Impression: The Faraway Paladin: The Lord of the Rust Mountains

The Faraway Paladin, Will, is back—older and with a deeper voice than ever before! Yes, a couple of years have passed since our technically isekai’d protagonist accepted a position as governor over the Beast Wood, and now his city of Torch Port is thriving; but Will is thinking ahead: Right now they’re making money by selling trees, but what will they do when the forest is over-logged? They’ll need some additional source(s) of income. Will chats about his concerns with his friends, the elf Menel and the hobbit halfling Bee. Bee talks him into taking a hike with her to visit an isolated magical academy. It’s not a matter of just walking up to the door at this place though: Will and Bee have to navigate some maze magic, uncover an illusion hiding the way forward, face spells that discourage you (at best) or turn you into bloody rain (at worst), and finally have a chat with a not-at-all-suspicious old man who is most definitely not testing them. These mages do not want to be found! But eventually, the two pass muster and are allowed into the academy’s library. There Bee does some digging into the life of a long-dead friend of hers (possibly hinted to be Mary, Will’s undead “mother”?).

Each of us needs a halfling troubadour in our lives.

This was a great beginning to a new adventure, even if no “Lord of the Rust Mountains” has been mentioned yet. The story does a great job of showing how time has passed while rooting us in the story (in case, you know, you don’t remember every detail from season one). And once Bee and Will go off on their one-episode adventure, the wistful, magical “fairy tale” feel (not to be confused with a Fairy Tail feel) that makes the show work so well is back. It’s an especially nice touch to see how Will handles the old man’s test, avoiding the use of magic even though it could make things much easier. I don’t know yet where the story will go, but so far it feels like I’ve come home to some old friends after a while, and am glad to see that they’re doing well in life.

Sure thing, old man who just happens to live in the enchanted maze forest.

The Faraway Paladin: The Lord of the Rust Mountains is streaming on Crunchyroll.

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3 thoughts on “First Impression: The Faraway Paladin: The Lord of the Rust Mountains”

  1. I was suprised by how Will had changed. It really did feel like coming home to some old friends. Will has grown so much, but is still embracing his roots and what his family taught him growing up. Having caught a glimspe of his mind in this episode has only made my day! Plus Bee is still cute as hell!

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