A good episode, quite a cliffhanger to end on though.
Them off-screening all the mob fights... maybe good to save some time, I guess not really important? MCs team wins, move on. Yea, I guess so. I feel like I'd be very confused why the lady knight with Souei was blushing but it seems like maybe people can figure it out themselves, I feel like I certainly wouldn't without having watched the previous seasons any time recently.
I feel the pacing is a bit off. They spent so much time last few episodes that people were complaining, but they put so many fights off-screen this time it felt rushed. At the same time I'm glad we don't have to wait a few more weeks to play out those fights before getting to Hinata.
The lady knight blushing was a manga addition I think, not quite sure it was in the LN. Surely would be fun if they'd do another Diary anime coming back to those side-fights.