Re:Zero Season 1 Episode 20 Reaction

Here's some further backstory of Wilhelms flashbacks. Apologies for it being pretty long. Yet, it will give you a clearer picture and understanding of Wilhelms character and backstory in his younger days. Plus you will most likely be oblivious to the Re:Zero EX Light Novels that are side stories to specific characters in the series. Some further backstory of Wilhelm from the Re:Zero EX Volume 2: The Love Song of the Sword Devil. The flash backs shown from Wilhelms young days as fighting as a Royal Guard in the Royal Army. The Kingdom of Lugnica was at a civil war with the Demi-human Alliance, a group of demi-human tribes for some years. Back then Wilhelm was the exact opposite that you see now, as back then he was brash, afoot, short tempered, lonely, and often cold with others. A troubled individual who devoted himself wholly to the sword and cared for little else. That started to change however when he met Theresia, who at the time during their firsts interactions and so fourth, didn't know that she was the recent Sword Saint and only known her as, 'Flower Girl' from the little interactions he had with her. Wilhelm would go train most of everyday during his free time at that spot in the flash back and would encounter Theresia at the same spot, looking at the flowers that she grew herself. Theresia would occasionally pose the question, "Do you like flowers?" which in response Wilhelm would say, "No, I hate them." to which she'll follow up by saying, "Why do you carry the sword?" and Wilhelm respond at the time by saying, "It's the only thing I have and known.. ". As time progress, Wilhelm began to enjoy and always look forward to seeing Theresia. He's personality and demeanor also began to change as well and began caring about things he hadn't in a long time, becoming less and less concerned with taking the heads of his enemies over prioritizing the safety of his comrades. He's changes didn't go unnoticed and he was made a Knight. Not long after he told Theresia about it. Disaster struck shortly after Wilhelm attained his wish of becoming a knight, when news of the intensifying civil war had spread all the way to far reaches of the northernmost regions of the country where the Trias territory lay (his family domain). Defying conduct, Wilhelm immediately raced home, only to find his hometown already sacked and faced with more demi-humans forces than he ever fought before. Defeated and near death. He nearly perished as a result had he not been saved by the newest incarnation of the Sword Saint, who turned out to be none other than Theresia. Feeling humiliated, but captivated by her display of swordsmanship that he could never reach, and most of all indignation at war, society, and his weak self that had forced her to resign herself to the inescapable fate to take up the mantle of "Sword Saint", Wilhelm confronted Theresia, leading them to part ways with their resolve to protect the other. Which is that scene in the last flashback of this episode. Anyways that's practically the full backstory of the flashbacks. If you are interested on knowing more about Wilhelms young days then I recommend reading The Love Song of the Sword Devil and also Volume 3: The Love Ballad of the Sword Devil. There both backstorys of Younger Wilhelm.

Jesse Collins