Nanael is following Leina on her journey. Tomoe and Shizuka are continuing on their journey as well, and rest at a hot spring. Elina is also on the road and encounters Tomoe and later tells her to leave the springs, but before she goes, Elina realizes that Tomoe has fought Leina. Elina announces she will also compete in Queen's Blade. Shizuka encounters Irma, a member of the Queen's Assassins of the Fang, and starts fighting her near the hot springs, but is swiftly defeated. Elina tries to fight Tomoe, but she refuses as it is an unjustified battle. Shizuka is captured by Irma after the battle and is questioned about her time as a Kouma Ninja, and is beaten unconscious. Tomoe spends the night looking for her and encounters Irma in disguise, who brings her to Shizuka and threatens to kill her if Tomoe does not help her. Shizuka reveals that it was Irma who made the Kouma Ninja attack them back in their homeland. Tomoe challenges Irma to a Queen's Blade fight to avenge the deaths of her fellow priestesses, and defeats her after a long battle in which Irma flees. Meanwhile, Claudette announces to her father that she wants to participate in the Queen's Blade.