The Forest in the Dead of Night

The Forest in the Dead of Night (真夜中の森 Mayonaka no Mori) is the second episode of the second season Mushoku Tensei anime series originally broadcasted on July 16, 2023.

Synopsis
In order to search for his mother, Zenith, Rudeus spreads his name under the nickname of "Quagmire" due to his achievements as an adventurer and his proficiency for the spell. One day, he joins Counter Arrow on their mission in Gargau ruins, but a large number of Snow Drakes attacks them.The party is saved by Stepped Leader party lead by Soldat Heckler who were also in the area but after the battle, Soldat angrily approaches Rudeus and his party...

Plot
Several months pass as Rudeus builds his fame and reputation in the Basherant Kingdom, hoping that word of his exploits will reach Zenith or that someone will know her whereabouts. After completing a snow gathering mission, He decides to accompany Counter Arrow on another quest to collect Snow Drake scales, but end up being ambushed by the Snow drakes and accidentally running into another party, Stepped Leader, who are out to hunt the snow drakes. Despite this setback, Counter Arrow successfully complete the quest and return to Rosenburg, where Sara convinces Rudeus to join their victory celebration. However, during the celebration, the leader of Stepped Leader, Soldat, goes on a drunken rant over how he is put off over Rudeus because he can tell he's holding back his true power.

The next day, Rudeus learns that Mimir was killed and Sara had gone missing during a quest, with the rest of Counter Arrow being forced to retreat due to a blizzard. He heads to Trier Forest, kills the Snow Buffaloes, recovers Mimir's remains, and manages to rescue Sara from a Icefall Treant whom he thought is also dead after finding her earring. After being thanked by Sara and Counter Arrow, Rudeus feels like he is the one saved and forgiven, as he looks forward to a good sleep in a long time.

Characters

 * Rudeus Greyrat
 * Suzanne
 * Sara
 * Timothy
 * Patris
 * Mimir
 * Soldat Heckler

Locations
Central Continent
 * Basherant Kingdom
 * Rosenburg City
 * Round Shield Inn
 * Adventure Guild Headquarters
 * Gargau Ruins
 * Trier Forest

Adaptation Notes
This episode adapts the following material:

Light Novel Volume 7


 * Quagmire Rudeus
 * The Forest at Night

Differences with the Light Novel:
 * The event where Rudeus completes a snow gathering mission occurs first before the gathering of Snow Drake Scales mission
 * Sara's monologue after the Soldat confrontation is cut
 * Mimir's remains were burned together with the rest of the Snow Buffalo's victims in the Anime while in the Light Novel he brings it with him which Sara carries back to Rosenburg after being rescued