As for it being padding, I'm sure you're right. The odd thing is that I also noticed several edits during the episode. Scenes from the movie that had been trimmed by a second or two. A missing opening shot, such as when the nobles are telling us about the Hawks. The Opening of the Zodd sequence when Guts is arguing with his men also cuts in later. Very odd and random choices.
Yeah, I noticed that too and I'm as puzzled as you are. They actually cut down more scenes than in the previous episode. Really weird.