Episode 23 took me out of the show. Up until that point, I was looking forward to a 4 v 2 final battle, but then out of nowhere Cardinal decides to sacrifice herself. This made no sense given that they were going to fight anyway which would now just put them at a disadvantage. It seems the writers wrote themself in a corner and was like, "whoops...Cardinal is just as powerful as Quinella just smaller...gotta take her out of the fight." Could've just as easily had her sacrifice herself in a full-on fight where she jumps in front of a strike that would kill the MCs.
Also, why do we have to have it end with a Kirito 1v1. The whole season was about the bond between Kirito and Eugeo. They went out of their way to make Eugeo feel lonely, and he had Kirito by his side all the time the last 2 years until they stormed the castle then he reflected on that. They also pointed out that it seems the Integrity knights aren't used to fighting against duos. All this, only to then have everyone stand back as each of them go one v one on Quinella. Lame.
