ラストエグザイル-銀翼のファム-/Last Exile: Ginyoku no Fam
Last Exile: Fam, the Silver Wing – 12

In Anatoray-Disith, the docked Urbanus comes under attack by the Guild’s Assassination Squad and Alvis runs for her life. As the squad moves in on her, she’s found by Dio, who then slaughters her pursuers and gets her to safety. Their bodies are discovered by Alauda.  In Ades, Luscinia lays out his plans for the invasion of Glacies, and has three annexed nations, including Chaos, help lead the invasion with their fleets.  After Empress Sārā dismisses the meeting, a group of Chaos folks meet with Vasant, pleased to be given a role of trust. Luscinia meets with Liliana, who agrees to do as he asks even though she hasn’t forgiven him. Alauda meets with Luscinia, and the two acknowledge that the time is almost here.

In Glacies, Fam awakens in an isolated home in an icy area and is informed by Dion (Dyan), through the language barrier, that Millia and Gisey are in a large shed a short distance away. While Dion gathers food from her grateful people, Gisey and Fam inspect the damage to their Vespa. Fam is initially worried about being captives of Glacies, but a large meal soon settles that, as does Dion’s recollection of Millia’s full name.  Later, Fam and Gisey perform a more detailed inspection of their craft while Millia reads the operating manual for the Silvius, vowing to have it mastered by the time they return, as she hopes Teddy and company are OK.

Dion brings them some spare parts, so Fam attempts to show her gratitude in the only way she knows how through the language barrier. Dion continues to bring them parts, thanks to Millia being a translator, and as they make the craft airworthy again, Dion questions why they don’t have an enclosed cockpit, not understanding Fam’s desire to feel the wind. She also doesn’t understand a craft without weapons, nor flying for fun. However, once they have finished repairs, she invites the group to an underground, natural hot springs to relax, where there are many women, old and young, all whom are grateful to Dion, whom they refer to as the “Winged Priestess.”

Moving to an outdoor, small hot spring, Fam tells Dion of her desires to reinstate the Grand Race since that was all about fun flying and not the war flying that’s all around today. Dion sees the aurora borealis and says that’s a bad sign, recalling how there was one on the night before the last Grand Race, when she witnessed the assassination of Ades Empress Farahnāz Augusta. The following day, Fam convinces Dion to pilot the Vespa with Fam as navi, and Dion finally learns why Fam enjoys flying. Afterward, Dion is picked up by her people while Fam and company take off to find the Silvius.  They stumble upon the Ades invasion fleets, but Fam realizes this is a decoy and races back to warn Dion.

I really need to read the Last Exile bridge manga to gain more insight into some events going on now. In the meantime, I’d like to say that Dio has never been cooler as a character in his rescue of Alvis.

I suspect that Luscinia is leading the sky navies of Chaos and other annexed countries to their doom, thus doing the same thing as a purge, only now, it can be blamed on the war. I believe that Vasant suspects this as well, but she’s a believer in the cause and so her loyalty would be her undoing if her people are being led to their doom.

While it may be a little too convenient for Millia to speak the language of Glacies, I appreciate the fact that the production team has Dion (Dyan…whatever) speak her native language throughout. Obviously, should an English dub be created, the same thing should happen.

Otherwise, the events in Glacies, while not boring, were not unexpected. It was clear that the writers are laying out a path so that Fam and company are seen as valuable allies to the people of Glacies, and assuming the Silvius and Urbanus survive, will allow Glacies to ally themselves with the Anatoray-Disith as well as whatever’s left of the Sky Pirates.

Regardless, this was a mostly fun episode with a few really interesting moments. I am looking forward to seeing what happens next.