The Fiancé of Despair

The Fiancé of Despair (絶望の婚約者 Zetsubō no Konyakusha) is the eight episode of the second season (32nd overall) Mushoku Tensei anime series originally broadcasted on August 27, 2023.

Synopsis
The season of love has arrived...!? Rudeus is asked by a special student Cliff to introduce him to a certain woman. On the other hand, duels for courtships is prevalent during the Beast Race mating season in the autumn, so Linia and Pursena, princesses of the Doldia tribe, shut themselves away in the dormitory to avoid duels. However, for some reason, someone appears who challenges Rudeus to a duel...!?

Plot
Cliff approaches Rudeus one day and asks him to introduce him to Elinalise, who he has developed a crush on. Rudeus goes through with the introduction, but Elinalise privately reminds him the curse that forces her to sleep with men won't fulfilled if she's dedicated to a single partner. Rudeus advises her to just turn down Cliff's feelings, but the next day, he is shocked to see that both she and Cliff are in a genuine relationship, with Cliff promising to find a way to lift the curse. Later, the beastmen of the school begin challenging Rudeus for the right to marry Linia and Pursena, having been misled by the girls that he is their pack leader. However, the beastmen are all defeated by the Demon King Badigadi, the fiancé of Kishirika, who challenges Rudeus to a duel after hearing of Kishirika's praise of him. Rudeus manages to win the duel by wounding Badigadi with his first attack, convincing the demon king to concede. When winter arrives, Rudeus and his classmates are surprised when they find out that Badigadi has enrolled in the university and joined their class.

Characters

 * Rudeus Greyrat
 * Sylphiette
 * Zanoba Shirone
 * Julie
 * Elinalise Dragonroad
 * Linia Dedoldia
 * Pursena Adoldia
 * Cliff Grimoire
 * Badigadi
 * Nina Farion

Locations
Central Continent
 * Ranoa Kingdom
 * Sharia
 * Ranoa Magic Academy

Adaptation Notes
This episode adapts the following material:


 * Light Novel Volume 9
 * Chapter 1: The Prodigy's Secret (Part 1)
 * Chapter 2: The Prodigy's Secret (Part 2)
 * Chapter 3: The Impervious Fiance (Part 1)
 * Chapter 4: The Impervious Fiance (Part 2)

Differences with the Light Novel:
 * The event where Badigadi's movement across the country causes the armies of the Magic Triumvrate to mobilize.
 * The event where Rudeus discusses his impotency with the rest of the Special Students is cut.
 * After the duel of Rudeus and Badigadi, Rudeus is struck by 3 of Badigadi's fists which knocks him out while in the Anime, he has a bump in his face.
 * The event where Jinas talks to Rudeus for defeating Badigadi is cut.