Ah! My Goddess Manga/Oh My Goddess! Manga
ああっ女神さまっVolume 41 Chapter 256
Ah! My Goddess Ch. 256 Manga Review

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis:

As the light is restored, Keiichi realizes they are in a dangerous situation since Ebony, as a mazoku, likely doesn’t need time to adjust to the lights. As his sight clears, he sees that Glühendes Herz has apparently attacked Belldandy, who has stopped the front of the “broom” with her hands, in a style used to stop an incoming, overhead katana attack. Glühendes Herz denies attacking Belldandy and sure enough, behind her is Ebony, whom Belldandy had protected from attack.

Glühendes Herz considers Belldandy’s actions to be naive since mazoku would not easily surrender and that trickery and sneak attacks are their normal means of doing things. Ebony confirms that she has planned to do just that but now that her life is indebted Belldandy, she surrenders. Glühendes Herz warns about trusting Ebony, but Belldandy says that saving life is her normal means of doing things. With that, Ebony hands over the key to the next chamber.

Keiichi ponders what to do about the unconscious Urd and Skuld since they can’t move on without them. Ebony says they should be awake with the return of the light and surmises that they are feigning unconsciousness to cover their shame of having been so easily defeated. When she mentions sticking a tongue in their ears, Urd and Skuld quickly get up and the group moves to the next area.

Ebony apologizes to Hagal for her loss but is assured by Hagal that she did well.

Thoughts/Review: So, one last “hurrah” from Ebony before we move to whomever the next mazoku “champion” is. I like that the issue of her high probability of betrayal was addressed here. After all, her kind are all about winning at all costs and damn the consequences. Belldandy, for her part, acted as normal in saving another’s life. Thus, Fujishima-sensei is able to allow everyone to move to the next chamber in a way that feels real.

I still think that Hagal is simply entertaining herself for the most part by allowing Keiichi and company to travel through. Because of that, I believe that’s why Ebony is not in trouble with Hagal, who is amused by it all.

It was amusing seeing how quickly Urd and Skuld “recovered” once Ebony threatened to stick her tongue down their ears. *lol* They may have been pretty worthless here, but I suspect Fujishima-sensei will give them both shining moments.

So after thinking chapter 255 was it, now for sure 256 ends the Ebony phase and we move on to whomever is next (which I have seen a sneak peak of thanks to a question asked by a reader).