WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? Season 3, Episode 12, “Argonaut | Hero's Return,” now streaming on Crunchyroll.
DanMachi’s third season comes to a close with a much-teased rematch between Bell and one of his most powerful adversaries before ultimately restoring the status quo. Continuing from the previous episode’s cliffhanger, Hermes approaches the Xenos, requesting that some of them return to the surface and cause trouble. Gros and three other Xenos begrudgingly agree, and attack the residents of Orario in an attempt to force Bell to strike them down, thus saving his reputation following the events of Daedalus Street.
During the attack, Gros rushes towards Eina but is pushed back by Bell. It is then revealed that Hermes instructed Gros to single her out, using the bracelet he gave her earlier in the night as a means of locating her in the crowd. As this is happening, Hestia realizes Hermes’ plan and joins the rest of her familia as they rush towards Bell.
Gross realizes that the only way he can get Bell to attack him is by fighting seriously and lunges towards Bell and Eina. Bell pushes Eina out of the way but refuses to strike Gros down, and instead leaves himself open to an attack. Gros backs out of his attack at the last second, shocking many in the crowd.
As this is happening, Freiya sets her own plan in motion. Guided by Freiya’s servant Ottar, Asterius rushes to Bell and challenges him to combat. Bell recognizes him as the Minotaur he’d fought in the dungeon once before. Now reincarnated as a Xenos, the two introduce one another and Bell accepts the request.
Using the battle to her advantage, Hestia and the rest of her familia sneak Gros and the other Xenos back to the dungeon. Bell and Asterius square off, laying waste to the city as they do. Though Bell fights valiantly, Asterius manages to get the upper hand, and delivers a debilitating blow on Bell. Asterius allows Bell to live, and notes that they’re now even before running off. Bell is relieved that the Xenos are now safe, but laments over not being powerful enough to win.
Fels manages to lead the Xenos to safety and heals them of the wounds they suffered during the escape. Lyd later reveals that Asterius spends every day training for his rematch with Bell, and the Hestia Familia members resolve to find a way for the Xenos to be accepted on the surface. Meanwhile, Bell approaches Ais. Though she's reluctant, the two reconcile. Still bothered by his devastating loss to Asterius, Bell asks Ais to continue training him.
Though not according to Hermes’ plan, Bell’s bout with Asterius has restored his reputation in Orario. The Xenos are finally safe and seem like they’re going to factor into DanMachi’s narrative going forward with some help from Hestia and the others. The season finale seems to have restored the status quo in Orario and while things ended promisingly, Freiya’s involvement in Bell and Asterius’ fight once again has fans questioning what she has planned for Bell going forward.
