Just think, if the High-Priestess never tried creating seven killing machines to hunt Jack down, he'd still be a near-suicidal wreck.

Now not only does he have the resolve to continue his journey, he's got badass Ashi helping.

There's a plan backfiring, then there's this.

In this episode I think all we learned one very important lesson.
Spunky short haired girls give tragic heroes the drive to live.
It happened with Renton and Eureka

It happened with Haji and Saya

It happened with Guts and Casca

Now the cycle continues with Jack and Ashi.