Ep 1. Rayneshia's Marriage

Log Horizon season 3 episode 1, titled "Rayneshia's Marriage", follows the continuation of the story of the game players stuck in the world of the MMORPG, Elder Tale. The episode opens with news of Princess Rayneshia of Eastal getting married, the first in over 20 years. The announcement of her marriage sets off a chain of events that piques the interest of the various factions within the game.

Shiroe, the protagonist, receives an invitation to the Royal Palace in Akihabara. He attends a meeting with other players to discuss what the invitation might mean. They theorize that the Princess’s marriage might be connected to the mysterious portents that had been occurring across the land. A group of players led by Isaac arrive, and they also discuss the announcement of the Princess’s marriage. Isaac, who is the leader of Westelande's army and a noble of the Round Table Conference, suggests that the Princess's marriage is a political alliance that would lead to the formation of a new nation. The other players put forth their own views on the situation, but nobody knows what the Princess's plan is.

The next day, Shiroe meets with Rayneshia in her room at the Royal Palace. She reveals that her marriage is a way to negotiate and compromise with other nations to protect Eastal and its people. She is marrying a nobleman from another nation to secure their allegiance. She tries to calm Shiroe by claiming that her decision is hers alone. The other players then engage in their various activities, with some joining guilds, others going on quests, and some working on solo projects to level up their skills.

Elsewhere in the game, a group of adventurers called the "Geniuses" are plotting to overthrow the current city-state system and establish a new order. They believe that the old system has become corrupt, and they seek to create a new utopian society. The Geniuses are mostly made up of new players, and they have no experience in playing Elder Tale. They make their way to Akihabara under the guise of conducting business, but in reality, they are investigating the city and its inhabitants to gather information about how it is run.

The episode also delves into the story of Demikas, a character who had been a rival to Shiroe in the past. Demikas, who has been accused of attacking players and stealing their items, is now working at a convenience store and living a peaceful life. He believes that he has finally found the happiness he was looking for, but his past catches up with him in the form of a former comrade, who is seeking revenge for Demikas's past betrayal.

Overall, Log Horizon season 3 episode 1 sets up a number of plot points for the rest of the season. It touches on political alliances, rebellion, friendship, and revenge- all while exploring the themes of loyalty, trust, and communication. The story is well-written and the characters are engaging, making it a worthwhile watch for fans of the series.