Spoiler I Am a Princess Responsible For Settling Circumstances

Discussion in 'Spoilers' started by Shizun, Dec 12, 2018.

  1. sovokop

    sovokop Shameless Clifford Simp

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    Chapter 70 just got released and it was difficult to read because it's about Clifford's brutal childhood. So a bit of a warning. And a bunch of swearing. I did my best to hold back.

    So Octavia is dreaming about all this. Well, she thinks it was a dream but it felt strange. It was "from the point of view of a boy" with "black hair and dark blue eyes". Yeah, it's Clifford. He wasn't ten years old yet, but he "might be a little older because he does not seem to be well-nourished" (男の子……少年は、まだ十歳にもならないぐらい。栄養状態が良いようには思えないから、もしかするともう少し上の年かもしれない。). I have no idea what this means in terms of his age, but he's a young boy either way.

    And young Clifford... was being beaten up (I cried right there and then. I hope the people who beat him up are dead.). But, the young Clifford wasn't resisting at all. Someone told him to hold his sword and fight, then someone else interrupts that it was enough and they can't waste any more time on "failed work" (how dare you!). They then add it's also bad for Nataniel and to do it now.

    Then one of the men, who was kicking young Clifford, "grabbed the boy's chest and spit" (if you spat at him, may you burn in hell, you S.O.B). Then I guess the shitty man who was grabbing young Clifford said if it's because his wounds heal quickly, and in a few days there won't be any scars (he has one, asshole!), and said he envied young Clifford but he "must have talent, as well as the genetic makeup (体質)". He says that this is the last piece of advice which is to fight, but young Clifford flatly says no. The shitty man threw young Clifford's body to the ground.

    Octavia, of course, couldn't stand it (that makes two of us. I hope Clifford killed all of them). She approached the man and tried to hit him with all her might but her hand passes through (You're a good girl, Octavia). She then asks herself if this was a dream and wouldn't she be the strongest (in the dream. Ig what she means is that, if it's her dream, she should be to manipulate it and hit him since, well, it's her dream. I mean, I get where she's coming from, but when I realize I'm in a dream and want to beat up a monster (don't ask) I'm not able to use my full power. Just putting it out there. >w>).

    Nobody can see Octavia but she can feel young Clifford's thoughts.

    Young Clifford gets up while coughing. He had no name (at the time. I wonder if they didn't give him a name, hence an individual identity, and Clifford was something that was associated with him much later). Young Clifford, however, "knew that he was considered disappointing because his birth was expected so that he would demonstrate exceptional fighting skills. But, young Clifford was afraid to wield the sword when he was able to wield it. He didn't want to fight.

    Because of that, the shitty man said that he's disposal, and beat him up some more to stun him. He then tied a weight around young Clifford. Octavia couldn't make a sound even if she wanted to (because the dream wouldn't let her). Young Clifford was thrown into a lake and he was sinking. I think someone pushed him further into the water. Young Clifford was flailing his limbs around as he was suffering, but then calmed down (which is alarming). Octavia hope that he hung in there. Young Clifford then holds his breath and takes out the dagger hidden in his shoes, but he missed it and the dagger fell deeper into the water. Octavia tried to catch the dagger but her hand passed through once again, and she felt useless (How do you think I feel rn?). Fortunately, young Clifford's left hand managed to grab that dagger and cut the rope that was tied to his leg many times. As water entered his mouth, he swam to land and coughed wildly. Then, one of the assholes stepped on his right hand with a lot of force, while saying "What? You're still alive?" I'm confused about Young Clifford's reply because of translation issues. He says ii kara shin doke (いいから死んどけ), which Google Translate says means that it's okay because he (young Clifford) is dead. The asshole then asks if he doesn't want to die. In response to that, young Clifford stabbed the asshole's foot with the dagged in his left hand. And the asshole screams.

    Octavia thinks that daggers shouldn't hurt people and, while she didn't want to understand, she understood young Clifford's heart was terribly calm. He was expecting someone to help him just as the people around him were expecting him to be talented. He wanted someone to intervene and reach out to him. But, when no one did, Clifford finally understood that help won't come. If he wanted to live, he had to do something himself. He had no choice but to carve the way himself, no matter what means he had to use (so this explains why Clifford was goal-oriented). He could only rely on himself. He realizes the cold, inorganic tools will not betray him and he can manipulate them as he wished. He now found it stupid that he was initially afraid to fight people.

    Someone asks him what does he want to happen if he did this. Young Clifford replies that he will fight and show his talent. He gave up on anyone's help coming for him. Octavia thinks that, even though this was a dream, she felt a familiarity with his way of fighting. He looked overwhelmingly different from when he was being beaten up without resistance. I think Octavia takes in this difference, as well as his black hair, dark blue eyes, and a dagger he had (it was similar to the dagger Octavia borrowed from Clifford in the "Sky Room"), which makes her question if it's Clifford.

    When she mutters his name, her voice comes out. She wonders (or asks) if he could hear her voice. This time, he did, as he coldly questions with full hostility, "Who's there?". He then finally saw Octavia, as his dark blue eyes were astonished. His mouth (or hers idk) then moved to say something, but Octavia woke up. Only until that point could Octavia remember her dream.



    EDIT:
    There's a line in chapter 70 "A kind-looking child" (Yasashi-sōna ko de 優しそうな子で) which I'm pretty sure is associated with Clifford when he was young. This was before the assholes broke him.
    Clifford, help came. It came late, but it came. In the form of Octavia (see why they complete each other!!!!!)






    Hugs for Clifford.
     
    Last edited: May 8, 2022
  2. sovokop

    sovokop Shameless Clifford Simp

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    I want to draw parallels between Clifford and Octavia.

    So Clifford, when he was young, didn't want to fight and hoped that someone would help him. But when he realized that wasn't going to happen, he gave up.

    Octavia, on the other hand, initially gave up when she first reincarnated as Octavia and spiraled into depression. But then she started to have the determination to change her fate as the royal baby-maker. She tries to be positive, even in moments where she feels cornered, and she's REALLY cornered. But she tries the best she can do.

    It's an interesting contrast between them. One hoped but gave up. One had given up but then hoped again.

    I think I've said it before that Octavia treats Clifford like a human being (i.e., asking for his opinions, worrying about him, defending him, ordering him not to get hurt if he has to fight, genuinely enjoying his company), and Clifford treats Octavia with total respect (he won't follow anyone else and won't do anything she doesn't want him to do) and appropriate protection (he protects her while letting her do whatever she wants so it's not overprotection), and tries to treat her as Octavia the girl (and not Octavia the princess only, as he gives her fresh flowers and believes the crying Octavia is also precious). Clifford, as Chapter 70 shows, is treated as a fighting tool with no individuality of his own, while Octavia is the royal baby-maker in the patriarchal kingdom with little to no mobility or privacy of her own. That is why they complement each other.

    Although, if you look at it, it shows that they're both seen as tools. One is a fighting tool and the other is a political tool. And that's what makes them similar.

    Not to mention, the world they're in has essentially screwed them over, particularly the deities of the world. With the jerk god and sky god screwing Octavia over, and the sky god screwing Clifford over (he showed a negative reaction twice to sky god, but I don't know explicitly yet why he's mad).

    At the same time, they also had unreliable people. For Clifford, it's the assholes that broke his spirit. For Octavia, it's the entire royal family and her escort knights. Of course, she has her maids, Alexis and even Duke Nightfellow, but they can't 100% fight for her (see here why). We can argue that Alexis can, but Alex has his own issues, and he doesn't seem to know Octavia's struggles like Clifford has observed (i.e., noticing she like commoner things, may have some hidden secrets, her nostalgic memories when seeing the flowers). And Duke Nightfellow wants to protect Esphere, where the norms undermine her rights. Clifford has no attachment to anything but her, and Octavia has also come to realize that Clifford is an integral part of her life and it's strange without him.

    I mean, take this for example. In chapter 48 of the novel, I think, Octavia self-injured her hand. Clifford, even in holding, is still worried about her hand all the way till chapter 69. He showed many instances of his worry about her injured hand. Octavia, on the other hand, while not constantly talking about his scar, is always worried about Clifford fighting because he might get hurt. She hesitated in him fighting the 'Jyuus' in the garden at the ball, and then asked if he was injured. She also worried when Prince Douchebag conditioned that all his knights in the training ground had to fight Clifford to prove his strength. Even if she knows he's a "cheat character" and trusts his strength, she still worries about him.

    They share the same mind and soul that is both similar and complementary.


    EDIT:
    I also want to add they've technically worn each other's colors. In volumes 2-4 of the manga, Octavia wore black for the semi-ball as per Clifford's suggestions. He paired it with her black feather fan, but black is also something associated with Clifford (his hair is black, his uniform is black, he's Ongarne, but mostly because he's Ongarne). Not to mention, the latest illustration of vol 4 of the novel shows Octavia in a dark blue dress (see here. The dress is gorgeous. Does anyone thinks of Ningguang's new outfit from Genshim Impact? Cuz that's what it reminds me of). Clifford's eyes are dark blue. So it's quite a match.
    Clifford's wardrobe change in the manga is the white suit he had to change during the ball. Of course, Octavia's hair is silver, her eyes are light blue and she's worn mostly a light blue dress. However, Octavia is, in essence, a kind and pure-hearted person. So she would be associated with white. Of course, Clifford's white suit does have some silver and dark blue work on the coat (see here & here). I would love to see him in other colors. He already looks good in black and white.
     
    Last edited: Apr 22, 2022
  3. sovokop

    sovokop Shameless Clifford Simp

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    I have a theory because updates are slow. :blobsad: So I'm drowning in delusion.

    So, what if, the Jyuus who after Sill were actually supposed to be after Clifford?:blobninja:

    I mean, Clifford says that he's a taboo existence like Sill, and the Jyuus were supposed to stop coming after Nathaniel's death, but Sill was still being targeted. Clifford seems to have been considered a stillborn baby so the Jyuus don't know his existence, or a certain group within the Jyuu clan doesn't know.

    Of course, when Clifford says that he's a taboo existence like Sill, that implies that both Clifford and Sill are taboo existences. THough, Clifford could have taken advantage of that fact .... There's also the time when Sill has been targeted before (like the time when Clifford was ordered to save him four years ago). Maybe, and I do mean MAYBE, Sil was targeted but after Nathaniel died Clifford directed it towards Sil to attain his freedom or something since Clifford was abused under Nathaniel since he was young.

    Interestingly, the leader of the Jyuus at the Sky Room told Sil, just before he blacked out, "Nothing will happen. If you're not the one we fear (危惧する Kigu suru)." It practically shows they're looking for someone. However, I thought it's because they're specifically looking for Sil, but could they be possibly looking for a person with a certain quality? Because the leader's statements basically mean if you're not our guy, then you're fine, but if you are, blame your folks cuz they committed a taboo. And Clifford is the same as Sill of being a taboo existence.
     
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  4. sovokop

    sovokop Shameless Clifford Simp

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    Last edited: Sep 16, 2022
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  5. sovokop

    sovokop Shameless Clifford Simp

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    You know there's something strange about Alexis's birth.

    In the manga and novel, Alexis was the result of a one-night stand between Enoch and a duke's daughter.

    Initially, the novel inclines that he's a result of S.A., by the duke's daughter. This was because there's a line that states "[The duke's daughter's] motive for her overnight mistake was a love for my father [Enoch]" as well as Enoch being angry at first. So that meant that it was forced, but later interactions painted a different picture.

    Before I go further, I just want to add that S.A. in general, no matter who the victim or perp is, is horrible. If a man or woman or non-binary commits the crime, it is disgusting. What I'm discussing is simply because some points don't add up to me, and is, therefore, simply my own opinion.

    Anyways, the beginning of the novel further reveals that Alexis's biological mom had a long-time boyfriend who's of lower status (a gardener to be precise) whom she later married, so Octavia herself found the one-night stand a bit sus. As a duke's daughter, she's an important political piece who she was supposed to marry a well-balanced man, you know of status for a political marriage. Octavia adds, "It smells suspicious whether it happened because there was a fatal scandal for the unmarried daughter, or whether she accepted the scandal to make the impossible possible." Enoch, while angry, according to Octavia, didn't punish her because she was drunk so she didn't mean any intentional harm. She was simply sent away.

    BUT, ADDITIONALLY, there's a drug (or certain drugs idk) that can get you preggo at once. The woman has to take it then you do the nasty and boom, you preggo. Buttttt it's pretty dangerous as the woman may die or may become infertile/have difficulties in giving birth (another reason why this world sucks BIG TIME).

    So ig Alexis's biological mom took it.

    In later chapters (of both the manga and novel), Enoch meets up with Alexis's biological mom when Alec was small. It was pretty surprising for me. The woman forced herself on you, drunk or not, so wouldn't one have some horrible memories about that person? He's close to her, touching her shoulder, talking calmly, and are alone in a room. Interestingly, in Alexis's P.O.V., "Judging by the expression on his father’s face, he seemed to view her as a victim." (When I also think about it, wouldn't he have also been able to overpower her unless he was drunk too? I think he was, but, according to Octavia, he would've noticed even in his drunk state that he was embracing a woman. Who knows what really happened...).

    The conversation between the two goes:
    Alexis's biological mom --> ‘Your Majesty. Forgive me for soiling your eyes. The sight of me surely brings you displeasure.’
    Enoch --> ‘──I feel no displeasure. …I’m sorry for not having noticed anything that night. I should be the one apologizing.'
    AND
    Alexis's biological mom --> ‘…before ──’s grave… may… now?
    Enoch --> ‘That’s ──s. Edgar is…'

    Basically, Kingey hates Alexis but not his biological mom. Which makes no sense .... Wouldn't it make sense to hate both since the woman forced herself on you and the kid is a reminder of that crime? But he just acts coldly with Alec who has absolutely nothing to do with this, while the woman, who was the perp, got off essentially scot-free and married her boyfriend!

    The red-haired youth, Stain told Sil, that Enoch hates Esphere and is trying to weaken it. One example is the Sazah war. Apparently, Enoch could have finished the war quickly but he waited. In that case, could the birth of Alexis also be part of Enoch's plan to weaken Esphere? I mean, Clifford himself states that it's the first time in Esphere's history for a king of Esphere to have his own child that's not adopted. At best, Alexis is the best fit for the throne because he's Enoch actual flesh and blood (and I think they look the same too but idk Enoch's color pallette to confirm). That could explain why Enoch doesn't hate the biological mom.

    Enoch doesn't like Alexis, though, and deprived him of succession rights. I'm not sure if this is accurate or not, but apparently, the aristocrats oppose Alexis so Enoch dealt with it quietly. According to Douche, the only way he can get the throne is if he had his own private soldiers and rebel, but Douche is like, he doesn't have the will to do that (Uhhh, he does! His will is Octaiva, whom he loves unlike you! Alec, gather those soldiers! Get that throne! Protecc your sister!). So, I guess either Enoch's hatred of Alexis is a front, or the guy genuinely hates the poor boy because he had to have sex with a woman just to give birth to his own kid, since, apparently, he really loves Edgar, his malewife (I have yet to see their interactions to be sure because I wonder if that's real or not.)

    It's interesting that Enoch mentioned Edgar's name during his conversation with Alexis's biological mom. Either it was implied that Edgar doesn't hate her, or hates her, or is in on whatever Enoch's scheming, or something else completely (Alec, I wish you stayed longer! But I feel you baby boy!).

    It's still a dick move to hate an innocent kid and involve him in whatever you're scheming!

    EDIT: I guess the biological mom's motive to be part of the scheme would be to be able to marry her long-time bf, since there would have been a protest by her family against her marrying her lower status bf.
     
    Last edited: Jan 17, 2023
  6. sovokop

    sovokop Shameless Clifford Simp

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    I was going to post this later when I had a bit more evidence, particularly after seeing Clifford's scar in the manga (since we've entered volume 5) but manga updates are slow. So I have another theory.

    Okay, so I think Clifford was probably supposed to be part of the Elite soldiers of the Sazah religion (サザ神教の精鋭信兵は Saza mioshie no seiei shin-hei wa).

    So, a bit of context. The Sazah religion is a religion that preached salvation (like any other religion) but it got popular because of an epidemic (you know, religion becomes strong during a time of uncertainty and fear). But after that their popularity decreased. They revived during the former King Us’s reign, and during the current King Enoch’s reign, Nathaniel rebelled against the royal family (according to Prince Douche) and so there was a war between the two.

    The leader of the Sazah religion is hereditary (Seshū-sei -> せしゅうせい/世襲制) (so I guess the leader is literally born to be a leader because of their lineage). The last leader was Nathaniel, who was killed by Clifford. According to Daddy Duke, it’s a fact that no ‘Jyuu’, whether or not they had a master, could harm Nathaniel even If their master ordered them to do so. Nathaniel was aiming for Sill’s life (according to Prince Douche), because he was a taboo existence (going by Clifford’s P.O.V). (But, despite Nathaniel’s death, someone was still aiming for Window-Sill’s life.)

    According to mini-Nightfellow coughcoughDerekcoughcough, the religion has Elite soldiers, and they have a geometric sign tattooed on their necks as proof that they’ve been selected. They’re very well-trained, good at enduring torture and, thus, are willing to die.

    I don’t know if Jyuus can be elite soldiers, or if they’re entirely different beings. You can’t really tell who’s a Jyuu, with probably the exception of their great strength, while elite crusaders can be discerned from the geometric tattoo on their necks. So, is it possible for a Jyuu to have the same tattoo?

    In chapter 70, Nathaniel’s name comes up and it’s implied that Clifford was born to basically follow Nathaniel as a fighting tool, not necessarily with Nathaniel as his “Shuu” (master) because, whether Clifford has a master or not, he can’t harm Nathaniel. Except that he did, which I’ll talk about a bit later. Clifford was expected to be an exceptional fighter, even if Clifford himself didn’t like it. So, that would mean that Clifford was part of the Sazah faith, or rather part of the elite soldiers.

    Also, Clifford’s scar, the one on his neck, isn’t shown so far in the manga, I have a feeling it was or was supposed to be the geometric tattoo associated with the elite crusaders. All I know so far is that the scar was large, vertical, and man-made since it’s called an ancient wound, rather than something he was born with like Rust.

    Anyways, I looked at the geometric tattoo in the manga, and the image shown regarding it is that the tattoo is also vertical and on the left side of the neck.

    Interestingly, the scar on Clifford’s neck is on the left side. Boy is such a tease :blobamused:. He wouldn’t even show it in his shirtless scene! I’ve realized that the artist cleverly covered the left side of his neck with his hand. And here I thought it was just for aesthetic purposes. Good move, artist, good move. :blobamused:
    https://imgur.com/m5QXusx

    So, I decided to analyze Clifford's neck (for theoretical purposes, I swear), and I did find some manga images of the scar when Clifford was wearing his white daddy suit (since the suit's collar was low enough to see the scar).
    All the scar images I found are here.
    https://imgur.com/a/VdvsQGS

    But this image had the best shot of his scar. The scar looks thick in terms of width. I wonder if it would somewhat match the geometric tattoo.
    https://imgur.com/tp6hUvV

    So how could Clifford be able to kill Nathaniel? Nothing has been revealed but I have a theory (and theories) that it might have something to do with Clifford’s existence (or maybe he found a loophole to kill Nathaniel). Clifford is special (in a lot of ways, let’s not fangirl atm). Clifford’s special existence somehow allowed him to defy Nathaniel. He is able to have two masters, whereas most Jyuus can only have one master (of course, I do wonder if there are exceptions since my baby Clifford, as much as I love him, is sus). From his P.O.V., he states, like Sill, he’s a taboo existence but ig to the Jyuus, since if Clifford’s background is ever revealed, the Jyuus will also target him. But he’s pretty confident that it won’t ever be revealed “because the taboo child, born to the sound of his mother’s screams of despair, was officially stillborn”. So, he would be non-existent to the Jyuu clan. BUTTTT his existence is expected for the men in Chapter 70, who are associated with Nathaniel, so Nathaniel himself expected his birth for his exceptional fighting skills.

    So, what’s going on here?

    One theory is that Clifford, believed to have been stillborn, was tossed away but is also more likely to have been kidnapped by the Sazah religion and forced to become an elite crusader. But nothing’s confirmed.

    Another theory is regarding memories. In Clifford's P.O.V., there's a line "And the memories inherited by the 'Jyuus' and engraved within them steered them towards rejecting him [Sill]." Does this mean that memories can be inherited? Then does Clifford have these memories? Or does he not have them? Because, so far in his five P.O.V.'s, he hasn't revealed that. If he doesn't have them, would that allow him to bypass whatever authority Nathaniel has over him as a 'Jyuu', would then allow Clifford to kill him?

    Either way, Clifford is special (yes he is~~~~).

    As for why Clifford killed him, well, just read Chapter 70. The asshole let his goons abuse a kind kid into becoming a fighting tool. He had to die for that :blobhero:. And if Clifford wasn't gonna, I was :blobhero:.

    EDIT:

    The new manga update finally shows Clifford's scar! And it's huge! And kinda spread over which surprised me because the novel described the scar as vertical. Nonetheless, the wound would be big enough to cover where the geometric tattoo representing the Sazah elite soldiers is.

     
    Last edited: Aug 5, 2022
  7. sovokop

    sovokop Shameless Clifford Simp

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    Vol 4 novel cover is out.

    [​IMG]

    Clifford has gotten so pale in prison.:blobastonished: He's gorgeous tho. :blobnosebleed: I need more neck fanservice!!!!!!!



    Lines from the synopsis include:
    "Please return my knight!"

    Yes, return Clifford! You douchebag prince!

    AND

    Marriage of convenience love comedy

    But when will the marriage and love comedy actually begin!? They're still in Phase.05: Subtle flirting that isn't actually flirting but I know it is because I'm delusional! So far everything is just political and angsty (just Clifford, Octavia, and Alexis. Idc about anyone else).
     
    Last edited: Apr 28, 2022
  8. sovokop

    sovokop Shameless Clifford Simp

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    Chapter 71 just released today and it's boring. I mean it has some tea, but you know me. No Clifford, no life. Plus, it has Hugh-pain-in-the-ass. Tch.:blobexpressionless:

    So Hugh-pain-in-the-ass picks up a stack of paper on Octavia's drawing desk, saying that tomorrow's security plan has arrived from Celiusly a douche. Tomorrow was inspection day, and he and Octavia were gonna be bait for the anti-royal enemies.

    Octavia told Clifford about the plan in his cell. She then recalls the dream she had last night. In a vase in her bedroom, she had the lishran flower that Edgar, the male queen, had put in her hair was, displayed in there. It had a nice scent as Octavia went to bed. But she had a nightmare completely different from her usual "fucking abominable memories" (she has a recurring nightmare of her death as Maki, and Alec has a recurring nightmare of Idearia's death). She felt like that nightmare had a continuation, but of course, she woke up (don't you just hate it when the happens?). Octavia cried when she woke up (I was crying while reading the chapter, girl. I feel your pain :blobcry:). She has a habit of getting up before Sasha, her lady-in-waiting/maid would came, and dress up to some extent. But she couldn't do that this morning. She tried not to get caught crying but Sarah caught her, so Octavia just said that she had a bad dream.

    Sasha is apparently really good at makeup, so no one noticed Octavia's swelling eyes when she had lunch in the afternoon (Clifford would know. He'd be even more worried. I wonder if he sensed her tears from his cell. :blobcheeky:). So far, she's only met Sasha, Matilda (head lady-in-waiting), other maids, and Hugh-pain-the-ass.

    Anyways, Octavia stays in her room and doesn't go to the garden (I know it's not the same without Clifford!:notlikeblob:). She had already chosen her dress and jewelry for the inspection day. Since it's an official event (the place they're going for the inspection), she chose brighter clothes, a cream-colored fluffy skirt. (Wouldn't it be blue since I thought it would be the dress on the vol 4 novel cover unless she mean the flower patterns at the hem of her dress?). She chose a bunch of dresses a month ago (PLEASE TELL ME CLIFFORD WAS NOT IN PRISON FOR A MONTH!? I CAN'T EVEN STAND THE BOY BEING THAT DARK PLACE FOR A DAY!!), and she'll make the final decision again with the help of Matilda, Sasha, and the maids. She was worried that it wouldn't match her black fan, but it was okay. As for ornaments, instead of a tiara, she went with flowers again (It's unspecified if it's a Lishran flower. EDIT: The vol 4 novel cover has her wearing a white Lishran flower. I'm pretty sure it's a Lishran flower or it will be a Lishran flower, like when she changed her hairpin to a flower ornament at the sem-ball. Also, the flower she wore then was pinkish, as shown on the volume 3 manga cover at best. Guess the Lishran flower color variants. But the vol 2 novel cover & vol 3 novel cover aren't drawn like a Lishran flower (the petals look shorter and I can't see the stamens that Lishrans have) so I got confused. It's pretty weird why it's like that.) Because of her bandaged hand, she also decides to use lace gloves for her left hand (again, I see no gloves on the vol 4 novel cover. What is this dress then?). EDIT: My bad. The dress is for vol. 5 of the light novel, and this one is for vol. 4.

    While she should be caring about the inspection day, she focuses on her dream. Since "dreams are dreams. It should be based on what [her] thoughts or what [she] remembers". So, the boy in her dream (young Clifford) should be a product of her imagination. She keeps thinking about it and the contents of the dream are still clear. She first associated that boy with Sil's childhood, but she realized it was Clifford (another point as Clifford and Sil's possible relation?). She couldn't believe that her useless/unreliable brain (the exact term used is ponkotsu which apparently means a useless and/or unreliable character; don't sell yourself short, Octavia) dreamt of Clifford going through such a terrible treatment and making him a child too (but he was cute right? :aww:). She hopes that it's just a dream and doesn't want it to be real.

    Sasha worriedly asks if she's tired and that she should take a break, but Octavia denies it. After she was Octavia crying, Sasha became an even more capable maid (she tripled her capability :blobsmilehappyeyes:), even though she's already excellent (again, the maids are wholesome af:blobmelt:. I want them all to find their soulmates that they desired. They deserve a happy ending). Octavia requests Sasha's usual black tea. Octavia usually drinks milk tea with lots of milk. After a quick thank you, Sasha starts preparing the tea (will the tea answer all my questions :bloborz: ).

    So Octavia looks back at the stack of papers about tomorrow's security and calls for Hugh-pain-in-the-ass's attention. He's just standing there, so he responds immediately. Octavia tells him that all the knights assigned for tomorrow's security are under Douche's authority. Clifford is her only escort knight, but there are usually some fixed knights who will protect her when she goes out or rides in a carriage, like when she went to the semi-ball. She doesn't have soldiers who directly report to her, but she "wonders if there are people who are always driven out for the first princess". She told Hugh-pain-in-the-ass that she wants people who are accustomed to protecting her. She already asked Sasha to get the name of the coachman who drove her to the semi-ball and "created a smooth ride". His name was Karl. She wanted him to be her coachman again, but the coachman who will be operating on the inspection day will be different. Hugh-pain-in-the-ass responds that everyone who was involved in her protection at the semi-ball was excluded. When she asks why, he replied that it's because they failed in protecting Octavia so it raises questions about (who to) add for the inspection day's security. She then asks if he meant that the security will be solidified if Douche is the one choosing the security. She personally doesn't mind his ability in choosing the knights, but the problem is that there are many fans of Douche and loverboy and many of the "older brothers" hate her (You know, his people treat her like crap, but it's interesting how it's the guys who hate her. So far I've seen women favor Octavia a lot:hmm:). Clifford wasn't going to be nearby on the inspection day so she needed an ally (oh the irony, she's unsafest with Douche's people. Clifford, just break out, dude :blobhero:).

    She was thinking of an ally, and Alexis was the first person to pop into her head, but he wasn't present, so she thought of his soldiers (you know where this is going :blobsmirk: ).

    Octavia informs Hugh-pain-in-the-ass that she's worried if she's protected only by strangers so she possibly wants to add Alex's soldiers to the selection. She selects Guy Peutz (Lol:blobjoy: I can already see him panicking). Hugh-pain-in-the-ass says that he will tell Douche about it. Octavia believes that Guy is trustworthy because Octavia trusts Alex. Hugh-pain-in-the-ass talks to two of the knights in the hallway, who were placed by Douche, about the security plan. leaves the room for a while. He comes back and tells her to wait for Douche's reply. Octavia then states that there's another soldier she wants to add, and it's Elail Burn. He's Rust's younger brother who tried to "accidentally" hurt Octavia by throwing his sword at her at the beginning of the series. He's technically under Alexis, but he was gonna have his head for trying to hurt his sister. Octavia forgives him in return that he gets her an audience with Rust (but I'm pretty sure he's not Alexis's favorite, though he probably would never be since he had the hots for Alexis).

    When she says Elail's name, Hugh-pain-in-the-ass's face becomes cloudy. He tells her that he's the one who threw his sword at her, and Octavia replies that she knows well. She asks if rumors have already spread throughout the castle of the incident and he shook his head. He says that Alexis didn't take good care of him (told ya, he had the hots for him & tried to hurt his sister; pretty sure Clifford won't like him either for the latter reason). Only a few people know, and Douche knows too. But Octavia still wanted him. That's because Elail is Rust's younger brother, so he definitely wanted to use it as an opportunity to ask about Rust and I guess other stuff that Rust didn't tell her.

    Octavia's milk tea arrives. It was a familiar taste. At first, it was Mathilda who would brew for her. Sasha was taught by Mathilda when she first became a maid. I think Octavia can brew tea herself (since it's easier I think), which Mathilda would chide her in the past that she shouldn't take the job of a maid, and she can just call a maid whenever she wants to drink tea, you can call the maid. Octavia does find Sasha's milk tea delicious, which is different from the tea made by Douche's improved technique (? I think he did recently brew tea for her, but I don't know if I have the patience re-read that chapter :blobcat_hyper: ).

    Then Hugh-pain-in-the-ass calls her and she wonders if he was going to say that he's against her adding Elail. But he actually asks if she thinks that Douch has changed. She asks what he means. He says that looking at Octavia, he remembered Douche who used to practice making tea for her. So Hugh-pain-in-the-ass has been with Douche since he was a kind, despite being from a lower aristocrat family (Douche doesn't care about that stuff apparently, according to Alexis). So Hugh-pain-in-the-ass is practically like Derek; childhood friends. But she doesn't think it's the same because they're different. Douche and Derek "are close friends but also lord and a vassal". She thinks that the lord and the vassal relationship is much stronger between Douche and Hugh-pain-in-the-ass. But both Hugh-pain-in-the-ass and Derek feel uncomfortable regarding Douche. Octavia agrees that Douche has a strange memory, but she tells Hugh-pain-in-the-ass that her brother is her brother (AHHHHHH! NOOOO!!! :blobtired: ) and thinks that the essence hasn't changed.

    Hugh-pain-in-the-ass is silent and Octavia stares at the short golden ornament that hung on his sword (I think Douche's knights are given golden ornaments). Octavia tells him that he doesn't need to agree with her and he can just be honest. So he says that he feels like there are two Celliuses (oh god, two Douches. One is enough of a problem :sweating_profusely: ). She asks if he pledges allegiance to him, and he resolutely says yes. Octavia was worried about the trust between those cracking like in the original (gurl, worry about your hubby in prison). Hugh-pain-in-the-ass adds that if the past Celius saw the current Celius (who is a douchebag) he would be very angry.

    On the same day, Douche agreed to add Guy and Elail could be on guard for the inspection.








    We're just left with chapter 72, I think, for volume 4 of the novel to be finished.
     
    Last edited: Nov 28, 2022
  9. sovokop

    sovokop Shameless Clifford Simp

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    The artist just posted a rough sketch of Daddy Duke without a beard. He looks young.

    [​IMG]

    But this also means that the artist is now focusing on this series~~~~~~~~~.

    But when will chapter 72 come out....................................................................................................................................................

    Actually, the artist previously tweeted:
    合計74ページノンストップ作画が終わりましたー。 終わったけどすぐに36ページ描き始めますよ。 もっと手が早くなりたい。
    A total of 74 pages of non-stop drawing has been completed. It's over, but I'll start drawing 36 pages soon. I want to be quicker.

    I assumed that was for their other manga, but it could also be this series. They didn't mention which manga they were specifically non-stop working on (I HOPE IT'S THIS SERIES).
     
    Last edited: May 7, 2022
  10. sovokop

    sovokop Shameless Clifford Simp

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    AHHHHHHHHH, I CAN'TTTT!!!!!!!!!!!:blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed:

    The artist tweets this as
    'Knight takes it off before dressing (Draft manuscript) 服着せる前に脱がされる騎士様(原稿下書き)'

    :blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed:

    [​IMG]


    It feels like he's wearing a tight white vest instead of simply being shirtless. Well, no matter what he wears (or not wear ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) ), it's still a win-win since he's gorgeous. He could wear a pink shirt and still ooze out manliness. :blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed:

    :blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed:
     
    Last edited: May 11, 2022
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  11. sovokop

    sovokop Shameless Clifford Simp

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    Chapter 72, the last chapter for vol 4 of the novel is finally out online. And I hate it. Because Douchebag is in there :blobtired:. What a way to end a volume..... I mean Clifford's there too.... but there's no dialogue with him:blobsob::blobsob::blobsob::blobsob::blobsob::blobsob::blobsob::blobsob::blobsob::blobsob:. And I've been waiting for so long...:blobsob::blobsob::blobsob:

    Anyways, Octavia wakes and gets ready for the inspection. They're going to an event where the inspection is gonna be. So she can't wear Lishrans in her hair because it would be inappropriate because of its symbolism. So Sasha, her maid, decided to choose for her ig. When Octavia saw the flower she accidentally said cherry blossoms in Japanese, which confuses Sasha, but Octavia quickly recovers that it's nice. The flower in Esphere is called Carlam (カルラム Karuramu), which looks like a cherry blossom. Looking at the flowers made Octavia feel more empty because she remembered Japan, her homeland, so she usually avoids the flowers.

    The head maid, Mathilda, and Hugh-pain-in-the-ass, then enter the room. Hugh-pain-in-the-ass didn't have the sword that Doucebag gave to him, so Octavia asked about it and he said that right now he was Octavia's escort, and the golden thread ornaments that are on Douche's knights' sword represent their allegiance to Prince Douchebag. There's a bit more convo but it's pretty dreary and I don't care about him and I miss Clifford.

    Then Guy and Elail come in as requested knights of Octavia. Guy, of course, is nervous, and Octavia gives him the ol' 'Please take care of me', and he tenses up even more lol but says he'll do his best.

    Octavia then asks Elail how his brother, Rust, is, because she needs info. He tells her that his brother said that he'll see her soon again.

    They go out to the corridor and see Window-Sill and Nothin'-but-a-loser tch. Nothin'-but-a-loser is currently guarding Window-Sill on orders of Douchebag. Sill and Octavia have a convo. He says he talked to Douchebag, and Octavia asks if there was a fight, and he was simply a matter of difference of opinion. Then he tells her that he loves Douchebag (I'm getting second hand embarrassment). Octavia says she knows, but Sill says his love doesn't affirm anything, and Serius and he can also make mistakes and so tells her to do whatever she thinks is right. Then I think she thinks that it's about Clifford being suspected and even more so on the succession issue. Then they part ways.

    So she's outside. Douche's knights were outside and they all looked handsome (plez, they've got nothing on Clifford:blobamused: Have you seen the fanservice?:blobthinkingsmirk:). And now the moment I've been waiting for! Among them was Clifford!!!!!!!!:blobtaco: He saw her and hung his head slightly in a bow :bloblove: BUTTTTTTTT he had a gold thread decoration on his sword with a gold thread decoration bunch. This represents him as Douche's knight!!!! :blob_catflip::blob_catflip::blob_catflip: I WANNA MURDER THAT DOUCHEBAG!!!!!!!!!!!!!:blobangery::blobangery::blobangery::blobangery::blobangery::blobangery::blobangery: HOW DARE HE!!!!! :blobangery::blobangery::blobangery::blobangery::blobangery:I SWEAR THERE'S A CONSPIRACY WHERE HE WANTS CLIFFORD SO OCTAVIA DOESN'T BECOME COMPETITION! CLIFFORD YOU BETTER TEAR THAT DECORATION OFF AFTER THIS INSPECTION IS OVER!!!!!!!:blobcat_hyper::blobcat_hyper::blobcat_hyper::blobcat_hyper::blobcat_hyper::blobcat_hyper::blobcat_hyper::blobcat_hyper:. (Though I wonder if that actually belongs to Hugh-pain-in-ass and allows Clifford to borrow it........which gives more motive to tear it offffff!!!!!!!:blobhero::blobhero::blobhero::blobhero::blobhero::blobhero:).

    Octavia sees Douche (ugh) and she tells him he looks nice. He tells her that he wants her to think of him as one of her knights who will protect her since she's the protagonist for today (she is the protagonist, but Clifford is all she needs, okay? :blobhero: He will takes over all of the knights' jobs of protecting her and he'll do it fabulously. He'll take over Guy and Elail's role and Octavia will take over your role of finding the culprit. Revolution :blobhero::blobhero::blobhero:). Octavia replies that she wished that she had the right outfit for a protagonist, but of course, she knows she looks good. Then, hesitantly, Douche says that the color of her dress suits her. Octavia becomes shy at the praise and is happy that he likes it too (tch :blobdevil:). They're silent for a while until he asks her for her hand to escort her into the carriage (ughhhhh that was supposed to be Clifford!!!!! Damn you Douchebagggg!!!!!:blob_catflip::blob_catflip::blob_catflip::blob_catflip::blob_catflip:).

    Octavia's motive is clear. She wants to clear Clifford's false charges. She and Douchebag have the same goal of catching the bad guys, but Douche still thinks Clifford is a suspect (it's a conspiracy I tell you :blobcat_hyper:). Also, there is some pain left in her injured left hand but she hides it with a smile and gives him her right hand (My money is on Clifford secretly observing her and knowing that she's in pain. I wonder if he wants to go to her like last time. :aww:). Octavia states that this the first they've been going somewhere together as brother and sister (but it's usually Alexis who's with her) so she's looking forward to it. Douche replies he's looking forward to it too (what are you planning? :blobangery:). Octavia says that she'll definitely have a good day since her main concern is proving Clifford's innocence and that's what she wants to convey ig. Douche showed her 'a challenging color' (i wonder if it's his eyes that can reveal his brainwashing) and says he's gonna do that too.

    Octavia believes that the "meaning of a good day is different from each other" (it is). And then the carriage departed.



    I also want to add that Douche uses omae with her which reflects informality that can either imply closeness (of equal status) or disrespect. Since he thinks she's the devil incarnate, brainwashed or not, I don't like this tone. :blobhero::blobhero::blobhero::blobhero:

    What a way to end vol 4 of the novel. Lord knows when vol 5 will start. At least there's the manga.....I'm still waiting :blobsleepless::blobsleepless::blobsleepless:

    There are additional chapters in vol 4 that will only be revealed when you buy the novel. It includes, from what I know, Clifford's P.O.V and Derek's P.O.V. Idc about Derek but he spills a lot of tea.... so I need it :blobpeek:. But what I desperately need more is Clifford's P.O.V :blobhyperthink:. I want to finish vol 4 with Clifford and not Douchebag.:blobsob::blobsob::blobsob:
     
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  12. sovokop

    sovokop Shameless Clifford Simp

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    There's been an overflow of this series' fanart from Japanese fans on Twitter just after the publishing of vol 4 of the novel. The manga artist even retweeted some of them on their Twitter page. I swear, there is a lot, and I'm loving it. Give these guys some love (as I squeal in joy while looking at the art).

    By 饅頭猫 manjucat (my personal favorite fan artist for this series. Like, seriously, they've drawn soooo much for this series. I love their art so much. Give their Twitter account a check for more drawings).
    [​IMG]
    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FSoUVnXaIAA3i6F?format=png&name=900x900

    By 饅頭猫 manjucat (not exactly drawn for the publishing of volume 4, but rather drawn for white day (basically guys' valentine's day when they give the girl chocolates). I just posted it to show you how good the art is, and how good the artist is. A possessive Clifford that I can forgive~~)
    [​IMG]
    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FNzJRNSacAEHiDY?format=png&name=small

    By こころ koko53534 (This one is actually old, not drawn specifically for celebrating the publishing of volume 4, but I think the official manga artist kind of recently found it).
    [​IMG]
    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ErIKvpGUYAU62HR?format=jpg&name=medium

    By こころ koko53534 (This is their latest one, around the time of the publishing of volume 4, but there's no description of it. God, look at that sharpness. This is wallpaper material).
    [​IMG]
    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FSrI3_xaAAATyc0?format=jpg&name=medium

    By はるゴン watagowatagon (Drawn to congratulate the publishing of vol 4 of the novel).
    [​IMG]
    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FSnYY4_UYAAJTYs?format=jpg&name=4096x4096

    By 森山田いかさし 0131tou (I just found this. This is their date in the modern era)
    [​IMG]
    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FSp7h93VIAEGA9j?format=jpg&name=4096x4096 [SADLY, THIS FAN ARTIST DELETED THEIR ENTIRE ACCOUNT. NOT SURE WHY. THEY UPLOADED ALMOST DAILY, AND THEY WERE MY FAV SO I'M PRETTY SAD ABOUT IT. I HOPE THEY'LL MAKE A NEW ACCOUNT AND REUPLOAD. THEY HAD A LOT OF REALLY AMAZING WATAGO FANART]


    By ろくしょう(ROCK SHOW) rocksyowww2nd (My fav one-shot fan comic. They're basically flirting. Octavia asks him what he means when he's hugging her from behind, and he says do you hate it? She says no and he says that she said that she'd rewarded him and she asks this is a reward?)
    [​IMG]
    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EWdWBZ2UcAAvoZg?format=jpg&name=large

    By こくご kokugo_n (It's rough, but you can feel the love from the artist.)
    [​IMG]
    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FQ4G6_hVgAAgv-B?format=jpg&name=large
     
    Last edited: Jun 19, 2022
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  13. sovokop

    sovokop Shameless Clifford Simp

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    So, first, some sad news, there's a 4p leaflet, or there was one. Upon some investigation, so that leaflet was supposed to be given with a purchase of the novel. And it was a limited-time offer. At a store. In Japan. So there's no digital copy. :bloborz::bloborz::bloborz::bloborz::bloborz:

    I mean... is there a way to remove the watermarked one? I know that sounds scummy but why was it limited and in Japan!? And why did it have to be the one with Clifford and Octavia!!!???!?!?:bloborz::bloborz::bloborz::bloborz::bloborz: The manga artist is unfair!!!!.

    So, here's an illustration to lighten the mood. I have no idea where this was from, from the series, because it's not in any of the four novels. Either way, Clifford looks hot.

     
    Last edited: May 30, 2022
  14. sovokop

    sovokop Shameless Clifford Simp

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    So, this is the POV from Derek, called "Derek Nightfellow and "that day"" in vol 4, tch. I hated doing this, but for the sake of the story, I had to. Clifford 4 life. No Clifford, no life.

    It starts with Derek coming into his room, taking his jacket off after a sigh, and sitting on a chair. He just came home from the semi-ball.

    His dad, Duke Nightfellow, already spoke with King Enoch. Derek also already told what he needed to tell Sirius-ly-a-Douche, who thinks about the given information. Derek remembers Douche trying to calm down. He increasingly grew distrustful of Octavia (well fuck u too).

    Derek comments to himself that it used to be the opposite. In fact, it was him who used to bad feelings for Octavia, not Douche, who was always concerned about his sister.

    He used to ask Derek with seriousness, "... Don't you think there’s a difference in how Octavia treats me and Alex is terrible?" And every time he asked that, Derek was wanted to look up at the ceiling.

    So Derek would ask why does he care about Princess Octavia, and Douche says that it’s because she’s his little sister. Derek apparently didn’t find Octavia cute (well fuck u too). Octavia’s attitude, according to Derek, rejected Douche. And Derek wonders so fun about loving his sister like that, not to mention that he didn’t like the sweetness his dad, Daddy Duke, gave to Octavia (petition to change dads!).

    Then Sirius suddenly asks what kind of animal Octavia would be compared to. And Derek’s just like wut. Sirius goes on, with a straight face, that he thinks she’s a kitten because it trembles, is vigilant and feeble (are u complimenting her or insulting her?). Derek disagrees and asks him if his head was okay. To him, how is the first princess, who is called a prodigy and is loved by his father, weak?

    He wonders if there’s a strong Octavia “who is younger but doesn't look younger and can't stand anything he does” (? idk). His feelings of dislike towards Octavia didn't change even after he got into a big fight with Sirius and was strongly scolded by his dad. (Seriously, I don’t want to translate this anymore. I know I’m being biased, because Clifford is my bias and my standard.)

    But it changed from another specific day. It was when he was a kid.

    A carlam tree (from which the flowers were planted on Octavia’s hair for the inspection) that given by a remote country during a diplomatic mission, and is also planted in a castle town. The tress is like a sakura tree so light red flowers bloom every once a year for 30 days and are scattered, so it’s pretty in the eyes of people. His mom loved it and got some trees planted in the villas and territories of the royal capital.

    The single carlam tree planted in the villa was in full bloom, and Octavia finally visited after a long time.

    Derek only greeted Octavia out a courtesy. He didn't want to see her (you don’t deserve to be 2nd or 3rd ML. Clifford is the first, second and third male lead.). So he thought she would go back soon, but for some reason, Octavia decided to stay for that day only. Daddy Duke and the mom readily okayed, but of course Derek didn’t like it (go cry a river).

    On that day, Derek couldn’t sleep and walked out of his bedroom and decided to exercise by running outside a little so that he would be able to sleep. The grounds were safe, so he could walk outside, but he thought it wouldn’t be a problem as long as it wasn’t revealed, and I think he knew a servant or guard who would overlook it since he said that he had an ally. But then he found Octavia outside. She looked up at the carlam tree while standing blankly. She then spoke in Japanese, because Derek couldn’t understand it. He listened and I think he remembers the words (I think he calls it a spell), but not the meaning, which he hated, because only she could understand. I think he wished that she could speak Esphereian language normally “yet neither my father nor Cellius tells Octavia to speak Esphia.

    Octavia talks in Japanese again, and Derek boy again doesn’t know what she’s talking about. Derek was initially frustrated but eventually stiffened when he noticed the loneliness in Octavia’s voice as if she was almost crying. And then he’s confused because he can’t understand the First Princess is like this (she’s human! You moronic, stupid, plain jane, goon of Douchebag!) Then he wonders if it’s because of the unique upbringing of being the first princess of Esphia, such as rarely seeing your biological parents. But Derek felt it was something more than that. Octavia then hugged the Karlam tree and said some more Japanese words.

    He then wonders if she was sad and why.

    He thought about calling out, because “no matter how much you don't like someone, you can comfort them”. He wanted to do that but didn’t, because he didn’t have the courage to do that. He felt like he saw something he shouldn't have seen, but he couldn't leave it as it was. He watched until Octavia returned back to the hall, and he was relieved that there were no tear marks on her face of Octavia that he saw along the way. He then wondered if it wasn’t that she didn't cry but couldn't cry.

    When he returned inside much later than Octavia, he met Daddy Duke. Derek understood why his father was waiting for him, and for a moment, he felt was selfish anger at him (yup, u r selfish).

    So this little shit asked if Daddy duke knew that the princess escaped (Escaped!? Escaped!? U have more in common with that king! Go be his son! I swear, if u were ML, I’d drop this in a heartbeat! But ur not! Clifford is!). Daddy duke says nothing but nods. Derek asks why. He thinks if it was him who saw Octavia, Daddy duke would have comforted her (Correction, Clifford would have comforted her like he did at the ball). Daddy duke says that if Her Highness asked him for help, he would gladly extend his hand, but he couldn’t reach out to her. Derek shakes his head, saying he doesn’t get it. That is that his dad can’t move unless he’s asked for help (he’s being respectful; not everyone would be happy to know that someone saw them cry). He thinks that he should just move on his own (u reckless shit. Big talk coming from someone who couldn’t comfort her). And then he remembered that he also just stood by (good to know you’re at least self-aware). Then Daddy said that he didn’t have the qualification (to help Octavia), and Derek just looked up at his dad’s words (Daddy Duke, you have the qualification to be her dad). Daddy Duke adds "If you’re going to reach out yourself, don't do it with half-hearted determination. You must be prepared to give priority to Her Highness in everything and devote your whole life to it." (DADDY DUKE, YOU’RE THE BEST DAD EVER!!!!!! YOU’RE THE DAD OF THE CENTURY (for Octavia)! I told you why Clifford is the perfect ML!!! Because Clifford whole-heartedly serves Octavia! Derek follows Douchebag! Daddy Duke just spat the same facts!!! He (somewhat) acknowledged that Clifford is that person for Octavia!!!!!!) Daddy Duke further adds "Otherwise, you shouldn't be holding out your hand when you don't want to. For whatever reason, if you can't stand by her side when it matters most. Half-hearted kindness and sympathy will hurt Her Highness." (I feel like he just told his kid, nah you can’t be the ML, you’re too generically arrogant lol. I love this dad.)

    Derek admits that his dad can’t also be that person because he has his priority set (like the safety of Esphere where the norm is more patriarchal, and Octavia is a princess who’s supposed to politically marry and give away her kids, to the system is against her. Another reason Clifford is best boi. He would literally burn the kingdom for her if given the chance.). Even if he wants to, he can't make promises. But Derek wasn’t convinced. So, Daddy Duke asks him if he, a friend of Prince Sirius, was ready for that (oof. nice). Of course, Derek couldn’t answer. So instead he asked that wouldn’t it possible that a momentary tenderness or sympathy can be a salvation (I get that you were a kid at the time, but oh gawd u dumb). Daddy Duke says there is but it doesn't apply to Her Highness, and says that Derek unconsciously understood that and that’s why he ran away.

    Back to the present, Derek bitterly recalled his dad’s word in the past, and then the image of Octavia with a Lishran flower in her hair came to his mind. He was looking for Sill, but met Octavia, and noticed the tear marks covered up by makeup but he didn’t ask her about it (at least you have some tact). He mutters to himself that it didn’t change (her loneliness, and no it didn’t), like when she used to look at the carlam trees. He couldn’t ask why she cried. Octavia herself had tried to hide it.

    He bitterly recalled his dad saying "But if you don't fix that, you'll miss what you really want someday." (don’t fix it, stay away). Same stuff about how half-hearted kindness can’t help her, and Derek wonders if could go back to that time, or if he would have taken another action (why do you care!? Stay away!). He thought about it many times and wished that it was Sirius instead of him. If it was the past Sirius, he would have rushed towards his sister without hesitation. Octavia, who wasn’t that friendly to her Sirius, may have rejected him, but still. (So that means that Octavia wasn’t close to Sirius, so was their sibling relationship one-sided.).

    Then he stood up and opened his window. The carlam tree was in bloom. He mutters the word Sakura, remembering what Octavia called it back then. I think that was the only word he managed to catch.

    Back when he was a kid, the next morning after that day, she went back to her princess self and didn’t show her lonely self.

    Derek still didn’t think she was a feeble person

    Like Sirius once was, Derek still doesn't think of Octavia as a feeble kitten. I learned that day that I just don't show that side. Coming back to reality, someone calls at his door and, after telling them to come in, its “Bard, the father's confidant. Stain, his adopted son (義理の息子 (giri no musuko)), comes in.” (EDIT: A further examination of the translation of giri no musuko essentially refers to a son who is not directly related by blood (see) so it can include son-in-law and step-son, though adopted son is the best fit here). Stain was the redheaded spy at the semi-ball, who has a weird obsession with beauty, regardless of them being male or female. Anyways, he chides Derek that he’s overusing him and then asks why he called for him.

    He tells him to look into a little bit more personally and not tell his dad. Stain agrees to it. Derek tells him it’s a perfect assignment for him who’s obsessed with beauty and can contact a lot of beauties (?), and it won't harm to his dad. Stain readily agrees with a salute. Stain asks, I think, if it’s something to do with the castle, Sirius or his other friends. Derek tells him that the castle like Stain’s garden and Derek wants to know if there’s an escort knight who has visited the castle in the last few days. Stain says no because the range is wide, and he’ll have to squeeze a little more, so Derek just says Hugh-pain-in-ass & Nothin’-on-Clifford-because-Clifford-is-best-boi-nuff-said. Stain asks to confirm if they’re Prince Douche’s confidantes. Derek simply says you should know better, and Stain cheerfully and exaggeratedly says that the beauties are confirmed (yeah, he’s a weirdo). Stain then says that does he really need to find out because he reads that, even if the two make a mistake, they would never betray or antagonize Prince Douche. Derek thinks so too, so that’s why he needs to know. But Stain wants to know why he wants to know. Derek says that it’s just a hunch. Stain complains, but Derek wasn’t lying. He tells Stain to get on with it ASAP and he use his name if needed without hesitation. And then he’ll go to the castle for a while, I guess. Stain tells him he’s good at going incognito (Excuse me, but have you met Clifford? :blobamused: The man can erase his presence that you feel like he isn’t even there :blobsmilehappyeyes:). Then he notices the carlam petals that flew in from the window and grabs one. He pinches it and asks him which is it. When Derek asks what, Stain elaborates, I think, that his dad says Derek hates Carlam flowers but his mom says that he likes them so which is it. He just sighs and says neither is wrong.



    Finally, I’m done with his POV. The chapter felt long, and so does the summary. I apologize. I thought he had some tea to spill. I didn’t come here for his backstory. Oh, boohoo, I misunderstood, her my butt! I swear he better not have any feelings for her! Daddy Duke said it best! He’s not it for Octavia!

    My baby Clifford wasn’t even mentioned! I hate this POV so much! But, don’t worry, I translated Clifford’s latest POV in vol 4, and it’s delicious. Sad, but delicious.
     
    Last edited: Sep 22, 2022
  15. sovokop

    sovokop Shameless Clifford Simp

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    Here’s Clifford’s sixth POV~~~~. This takes place in prison.

    So, he’s having, what he calls, a crappy (kudarnai) dream. He’s dreaming of the past and remembers everything, including the drowning, cutting the rope and stabbing a guy’s leg. Apparently, he kills everyone (Clifford yes! ... as bad as that sounds, but no one’s allowed to hurt my boi). This is a repetitive dream and he wonders why he would sometimes dream of the past.

    He has a line “Nothing will change. Especially, he doesn't even want to change it.” I guess he doesn’t want to change because either it’s futile or the past is what made him and his viewpoints. To him, apparently, “there is no suffering” once he’s accepted this way (being, well, a fighting machine I suppose). “He knew how to do it as if he were breathing” (this is just sad). To him, that’s how his young self survived, so he has nothing to think about.

    Just then he heard his name being called out (it was Octavia from her dreaming of his past). Despite the repetitive dream, an impossible change happened with him noticing a “foreign matter” in his dream. He calls out who’s there (just like in Octavia’s dream before it ended). He was supposed to just be watching it (cuz he’d rather be on the sidelines than be involved in anything OR he wanted to observe it first), but he moved towards it. He realized that it was the voice of his ‘Lord’ “Octavia. The girl he made his 'Lord'.” (now make her your wife!:aww: Or wait, is lord synonymous for wife in your dictionary? :aww:I’m sorry, updates are slow. :bloborz: Let me dream a little). He calls out "Your Highness?" But as soon as he spoke, the scene changed. He was first enclosed in darkness, and thought he was going to wake up, but he didn’t feel his consciousness awakening. The scene changed again, and he instinctively put his hand on his sword (you know, cuz he’s a cautious guy). He goes “··········” (Yes, Clifford, give me everything!!!!!! :blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed::blobnosebleed:). He didn’t feel any danger, so he removed his hand from his sword.

    The scene he saw wasn’t something he's ever seen before. He saw similar trees, but they were different with pale crimson petals fluttering around them (spoiler, he’s talking about the sakura trees (which he doesn’t know are called sakura) which are similar to the carlam trees in Esphere). Under the trees, there were a lot of people being loud (another spoiler, YEAH, he’s dreaming of Maki’s (a.k.a Octavia’s) world!). But among the many people, only a few were clear to him. He saw four humans, which he guessed was a family from their black hair and black eyes. He did find their clothing strange, but he also found it to be a rational look (I’m not sure why he thought. I mean it’s great that he adapted quite fast, but like what were they wearing that it was rational? :blobconfused:)

    So he saw “two adults, a man and a woman, and two sisters who are probably their children” (I’ll just say it, it’s the Tazawa family, Maki’s (a.k.a Octavia’s) family). Then a girl (it’s Maki/Octavia) grumbles about seeing the cherry blossoms with her family. Clifford notes that she’s about fifteen or sixteen years old and was sitting on a blue cloth laid on the ground. He also notes that the cloth was lined with colorful dishes, but it doesn't feel luxurious. Maki’s/Octavia’s older sister tells her young sister that their Dad is looking forward to it. Their dad, who had gotten drunk apparently, called Maki to come over here, but Maki just called her dad a drunkard and smelly and not to come over here. Clifford notes that, although she acts like hating her dad, she didn’t hate or even dislike her dad, and in fact looked happy in Clifford’s eyes. She asks her mom to do something about their dad.

    But Clifford is confused because this was supposed to be his dream so why was he dreaming about things he’s never heard or seen before. They’re talking in Japanese (in his world, the Japanese language doesn’t exist, so he doesn’t know it), yet he knows what they’re talking about. He recalled, before the second prince, Alexis left for his mission in Tahren, he spoke with Octavia in the same language.

    Clifford approached the family and didn’t notice him at all. Clifford observed them and noticed that the Maki somehow resembled Octavia. He assumed this from the same casual gestures made and the same expression suitable for her age. But he noted that Maki was “too carefree compared to Octavia”. He wondered if it’s because the girl was by her family. She didn’t draw a line between her parents and sister. She acted on her emotions and acted spoiled (carefree) (one-day, in my hopes and dreams, Clifford, they will become your in-laws. :aww:Get ready to become the son-in-law, like in The Way of the Househusband. :blobpopcorn_cool:Oh yeahhhh :blobpopcorn_cool:).

    He found everything strange, and believed that it was “a culture that developed from a radically different civilization”. But Clifford thinks that the sight he saw was also a sight that probably existed in his world, and that was the sight of a happy family which is common for them. To him, it was something incompatible with him (Oh, Cliffy, you have no idea the among of in-laws you’ll be getting after you marry Maki/Octavia, :blobamused: especially if you all get back to her world :aww:. Fufu. I can already see him vs her real fighting for Maki :blobpopcorn:. “You can’t have my daughter!” :cookie: I’m sorry. I’ll go back on track). Anyways, he knows this is definitely a dream, but it couldn’t have been his dream. He had one possibility.

    And that was the sign. Apparently, if the "Lord" and "subordinate" are deeply connected then the "sign". Is strengthened and the “consciousness is connected”. “If you can connect at the same time, you may be connected with a time difference” (so they basically exchanged dreams. So, wait, did they sleep at the same time? :blobwoah: Why do I find that cute? :bloblove: Though, tbh, I thought maybe Edgar did something. I find everyone sus at this point.:blobwoah:). Clifford didn’t know “if it was true or not, but whether he wanted it or not, sometimes, he didn't want to show it”. This was because, they might expose the bad things to each other (I bet it’s mostly because he doesn’t want to show her his past and past deeds. Between the two, he’s the one who’s shed blood :hmm:. He pretty accepting of her, no matter what who or what she is :aww:). So there’s a translated line “therefore, simply becoming a 'Lord' or 'servant' can never happen. Even if it is a 'sign.'.......... Even if the "subordinate" strengthens the protection of the “Lord”.” This doesn’t make sense, because if he doesn’t want to simply be in a lord-servant relationship, then does he want more? Which is great for me! But, right now, Clifford is still in the denial phase (he cares about deeply but wanting more (likebeingherhusband :aww:) hasn’t really entered into his head yet. Octavia, you’ve got to make the first move (afterrealizingthathe’snotgay :blobowoevil:). I need some clarification.

    Clifford “didn't understand why it happened between them” (Really, Clifford? :blobwoah: Really? :blobwoah: Bby, I love you and you were doing so well, :facepalm: but what do you mean why!?:facepalm: You care for her! She’s shown she cares for you! Of course, the connection would be deep at this point! It’s only about to get deeper from here! :bloblove:).

    Clifford thought that the Octavia in his dreams would be herself (you know, as Octavia the princess). Then he goes “This, this dream is ...? ... Octavia? Octavia doesn't exist?”

    Maki angrily gets up from her family and says that she’s going to her friend (or friends). The clear image of the family fades. When Maki comes back, her family isn’t there. She's under the tree and flower petals just fall from above. She calls out her parents and sister. Clifford then has an urge and takes one step forward to Maki (Can I get some Clifford x Maki plz? :blob_blush::blob_blush:).

    The scene changed again. Maki got younger and her figure got mixed with the figure of Octavia and they blend together (not gonna lie, that sounds scary).

    Maki/Octavia mutters that it looked like a cherry blossom and she was happy to find it (pretty sure she’s talking about the Carlam tree because they look the same). She looks up intently at the fully bloomed tree. She then closes her eyes tightly and clenches her fists tightly. “As if making a wish, after a long time, she opened her eyes”. She loosens her fists and says, "When I opened my eyes, it was all a dream, isn't it? Why is it so similar.... I was expecting it.” With resignation, Maki/Octavia’s figures become one in the final form of a kid Octavia. This reinforced that this dream was, undeniably, Octavia's dream and he, as a subordinate,' was connected to his "lord". Octavia mutters "I want to see you ...." (I think she’s talking about her family). Her figure is slowly fading away, meaning that the dream will wake up.

    Clifford went and knelt beside the young Octavia. He says “-Your Highness. My lord.” She saw him. Clifford continues that "You don't have endure the crying. This is a dream." (Clifford, how would you comfort her if it was the real world!? :aww: I wanna know! I wanna see!:aww:). She just mutters "Dream…..…." To Clifford, just like how he dreamt of his past, this was Octavia's past (You’re quick to catch onto these things but not your own feelings. :facepalm: Sigh. You’re still best boi, tho). He thinks that “in the past, in the same scene, Octavia probably didn't cry”. (Well, in generic Derek’s POV, she did talk under a Carlam tree when she was a kid. Who knows? Maybe the words she uttered then (in Japanese) were actually the words she said here. I just love how, which implies, that Derek couldn’t understand her in Japanese, but Clifford could, despite not knowing Japanese, so it’s thanks to their connection. :aww:) He tells her that her orders are valid even in dreams (this has got to be the most romantic line ever. :blobnosebleed: Idc about what others say!). He thinks that even if she cries, she can hide it (ig because it’s a dream), even from herself (not sure how that works, champ :blobconfused:). He thinks that Octavia should forget about this dream (because it’s causing her a lot of pain). Octavia mutters his name, and tears spill from her eyes.

    And then, in the dimly lit prison, Clifford wakes up. He had his arm raised, as if attempting to wipe away Octavia's tears (dammit I wanted to see that in action!:blobcat_hyper: And not even an illustration! Whyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!! :blobsneeze: ).

    However, Clifford immediately became alert as he felt someone approaching. Clifford was lying down (I want to see) as looked at the person.

    It was Prince Douchebag who, accompanied by an escort knight told Clifford to get out (rude much? :blobangery:).
     
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  16. sovokop

    sovokop Shameless Clifford Simp

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    A Japanese tweet said that Clifford, unlike other heroes in romantic comedies, didn't tell Octavia to not cry or that her laugh suits her better. He basically gives her a shoulder (well, he gave her his chest:blobmelt:) to cry on. And in this sixth pov he tells her not to endure her crying. I just find that so sweet~.:bloblove: It fits so well with his statement that both the crying Octavia and the perfect princess Octavia are equally precious. :bloblove: Tbh, tho, if Clifford were to say either of the other statements, it wouldn't really fit his personality, in my opinion. Of course, he doesn't like her crying, because that means she's super sad about something or she's carrying a great burden (which he observed). In his sixth POV he just hoped that she would forget the painful dream that made her cry, so it shows that he doesn't want her to cry, in other words, carrying burdensome memeories.

    But the fact that he lets her secretly cry, meaning she lets out her inner frustrations in front of him (but she doesn't tell him what those frustrations). I mean, don't we all need a good cry every now and then? And, as I'm thinking about it, telling someone that a smile or laugh when they're crying maybe isn't the best piece of consolation. :blobawkward: I mean, if you know, then you'd know that it doesn't mean that people who are always smiling or are happy aren't depressed or sad. And Octavia's traumatic past isn't something you can just glaze with "a smile suits you more, so don't cry."

    That's why Clifford's silent consolation (with some pats pats (well he stroked her hair but meh:blobxd:)) is the best. He knows that she crying over something painful to her, but he doesn't know what it is. So quietly just holding her and stroking her hair (she ordered it but the stroking was extra service from him :blobReach:) is perfect. He does ask her what made her cry, but she deflects the question, by telling him he'll lose though he responds that one has to fight even if they lose. He doesn't push her further, implying that he may understand that she doesn't want to talk about but his statements also imply that he would still fight whatever made her cry even if he'd lose. :bloblove:

    And the sixth POV just shows that again. He tells her that she doesn't need to endure her crying and that her orders are valid even in dreams (so it would most likely be she that orders him to lend her his chest to cry on again like at the ball, or maybe she might tell him to erase whatever was bothering her, because he did ask at the ball but she never told him). It just shows him accepting all of her; all of her emotions, including her crying.:bloblove:
     
    Last edited: Jul 11, 2022
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  17. sovokop

    sovokop Shameless Clifford Simp

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    Clifford's silent comfort was the best. But I just realized there was also something additionally good about Clifford’s way of comforting.

    ::blobpeaking:: Touching.

    Now calm down, it’s nothing lewd. :blobsmirk:

    I saw an interesting documentary on the power of touch. Touch in general is very powerful. Gentle touches can calm down people and ease stress, such as hugging. You know how petting therapy dogs ease stress? It’s like that, but with humans. Think of when you or someone you know patted the back of someone in comfort. Of course, the opposite can cause opposing effects. And by that, I mean, that rough touching, like hitting, grabbing, etc., can cause negative emotions in people. This is pretty basic since the trauma of victims of abuse is kind of basic knowledge, so I don’t need to explain further.

    Clifford uses gentle touches of stroking Octavia’s head when she was crying. The first time was the carriage scene when she was having a nightmare and Clifford gently and clumsily stroked her head. This eased her nightmare. This is a really good representation of the positives of gentle touch.

    When Octavia is having a nightmare in the carriage
    [​IMG]
    https://i.imgur.com/XSpDD9I.jpeg

    After Clifford pats her head
    [​IMG]
    https://i.imgur.com/DR4aICT.jpeg

    The next scene is obviously her crying in the semi-ball in front of him. He’s silently holding her as she asked but, by his own will, he asked gently and clumsily stroked her head. She appreciated that and eventually felt better after a good cry, but I think it’s also because he was there to silently comfort her (since she didn't want to separate from him just yet).

    The translation is "Clumsy hands ... this feeling ...where... could it be that in the carriage that was Clifford...?"
    [​IMG]
    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ErMv2owUUAARKl9.jpg:small

    Octavia didn't want to separate. Since she finally had a good cry, I think that maybe because she finally had someone's comfort that she finally let out out her frustrations that she's been bottling up her whole life.
    [​IMG]
    https://s5.imgcdnlevel1.company/img...in-charge-of-solving-things/chapter-14/23.jpg

    In the novel, the dream scene in Clifford’s sixth POV may also be included. Of course, he couldn’t touch her (Octavia’s own dream of him proved that, so it would’ve been the same for him), but Clifford was making an attempt to wipe away her tears in his dreams, before he fully woke up. If it wasn’t a dream and/or he actually did wipe her tears, his gentle touch would’ve eased her worries as much as his words do.

    But, of course, Clifford doesn’t just display his gentle touches when Octavia’s crying. I feel like the artist really portrays other casual but gentle touches very well (but I’m thinking too much).

    There’s the very physical contact of the manga series when Octavia nearly falls, but Clifford quite elegantly catches her. He has one hand on her waist and the other holding her hand. It’s a very lovely scene.


    In vol 5 of the manga, there’s finally the scene out with Clifford bandaging her hand with his tie (in the novel, he cut a part of his sleeve, but hey, I’m not complaining. More neck for me). Him removing his tie looked rough (and sexy), but when he asked for her hand and started bandaging. But what was so gentle was when he tried to get his dagger out of her hands. Apparently, she couldn’t move it, but Clifford very gently and carefully brought both of his hands to her injured hand and she could finally move it. In her words, she found it magical because she would finally move it. I think she even tries to move her injured hand away because she couldn’t open it (since it was clutching the dagger), and her face looked so scared and worried). But when Clifford’s hands held her injured hand, she was amazed (and I suppose even relieved). This has to be one of my favorite scenes since it portrays the power of gentle touch so well.

    Clifford first asks for Octavia's hand. When Octavia realizes that she can't move her hand and looks scared, Clifford holds her hand gently with both of his hands
    [​IMG]
    https://i.imgur.com/KIXZxUV.png

    After that, Octavia manages to move her hand and finds it similar to magic (which I'm assuming may refer to his gentle touch). And Clifford retrieves his dagger.
    [​IMG]
    https://i.imgur.com/rwzVSbk.png

    The bandaging also looked gentle (which should correlate with Clifford's constant worry for her hand. At the end of vol 4 of the novel, she felt some pain in her hand, so, assuming she'll feel some pain in her hand again in vol 5 of the novel, Clifford may get even more worried for her).
    [​IMG]
    https://i.imgur.com/7zJEmG8.png

    BUTTTT, when Clifford removed his own tie (for Octavia's substitute bandage), it looks rough (and really hot. Even Octavia's blushing! I'm not the only one!).
    [​IMG]
    https://i.imgur.com/w7J4Pvk.png

    Interestingly, just before this scene, he was fighting the Jyuu leader very ferociously. Here's what I mean.
    (But how he manages to stay hot even during a fight is a talent itself).
    [​IMG]
    https://i.imgur.com/NMtiwrG.png

    And even before that, he kicked Sill during his fight with him, and was more than ready to stab him.
    [​IMG]
    https://i.imgur.com/FfkSGw6.png

    These would be examples of Clifford's harsh touch (i.e., hitting, kicking) which is understandable in this case. He was fighting against an enemy. He also considered Sill to be an enemy when he tried to attack Octavia.

    Other moments include him holding her hand to escort her. What I absolutely love is that Clifford shows his open palm to her first, and he escorts her with her hand on top and his below. Of course, Clifford is her knight, so he has to be polite, so he does it so gently. There’s only one scene in the manga I’ve noticed that shows this well. In the novel, he usually asks for her hand. Though in the manga, he's asked for her hand twice so far, but the second one is in vol 5.


    Of course, there are also the two scenes of Clifford putting a Lishran flower in Octavia’s hair. The first time is at the castle’s garden for commoners, while the second scene happens at the semi-ball. But, only in the second scene, it’s emphasized in the novel that he puts the flower in her hair in a way that doesn’t touch her hair. I’m not sure why. It could be that he didn’t want to mess up her hair since her hair and makeup were redone (since she cried), or maybe because the maids were around (in the first scene, they were alone in the garden (though in a side comic, Guy was there too, but in the bushes lol, and not close enough to see their expressions and words I think)). Anyways, Clifford’s act was very gentle, and it made Octavia happy.


    In other words, for a guy called Hell's messenger (basically synonymous to Ongarne), Clifford is very gentle. Hence why he's the best ML.
     
    Last edited: Jun 30, 2022
  18. sovokop

    sovokop Shameless Clifford Simp

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    [​IMG]
     
  19. ThisNThat

    ThisNThat Active Member

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    sovokop Thank you for all the work you put into sharing about this wonderfully different story.

    I agree Clifford is a very unique ML. His general respect for everyone is not typical of most story lines. I also think his quiet, gentle love is his second best ML selling point. Only second to his unconditional unwavering loyalty to her alone. Seriously he never moves without her permission even for the king & he is constant about it.

    BTW- I love your commentary in your posts. You are Adorable!!!

    I do want to ask...
    Do any of you think... perhaps Clifford could be the guy the who died with her? Just maybe he doesn't have his memories of past life.....

    Now hear me out...

    I am just saying that it is a possibility...
    Considering the F*up god wants to experiment with the guy & he likened her existence to a bug... Why would they expend the energy to create two worlds...

    Add to that all his exceptions in his existence as a Jyuu...
    - multiple Shu
    - lied to his Shu
    - killed Nathaniel/ Nathan the religious leader
    - can understand Japanese in their shared dream

    Granted that last one is pretty iffy if we believe he doesn't recall a past life.


    Any thoughts?
     
    Last edited: Sep 13, 2022
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  20. sovokop

    sovokop Shameless Clifford Simp

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    Thank you so much! :blobxd: I'm so happy that someone agrees just how great Clifford is! And that someone actually wrote in this thread apart from me lol. I've been quiet lately because there are no updates for the novel and the manga is basically reiterating the novel's contents, so I'm just admiring the raw art.

    And thank you for enjoying my commentary :aww:, which also includes my fangirling. :cookie:

    So on to your questions.

    I'm pretty sure Clifford is not the guy who died with her.

    I believe the entire point of that extra was just to showcase the cruelty of these beings that are equivalent to "gods". In the manga, the jerk god shows her a glimpse of the cruel world that extra was sent to by the jerk god's associate. In the visual image, he showed her, there are three people being tortured and two of them had black hair, same as the extra's. Though the hair is long, I think that already a lot of time has passed, since they're in the jerk god's domain, and time may not be continuous with the real worlds. It's just like how Octavia awoke into the new world as a baby. But this is an assumption.


    I can understand what you mean, though, since the extra drawn has essentially the same kind of black hairstyle like Clifford, and the appearance is somewhat the same (but I believe that might also be because of the angles and positions the extra is drawn as). So the above paragraph is my assumption.

    But there are some points to note as well:
    1) Sill also has essentially the same hairstyle (albeit blue), so it could also be him.
    2) Black hair is typical in Japan, so it may just be a coincidence
    3) Octavia has silver hair in the BL world, but in her original world, before she died, she had black hair. So Clifford's appearance would have been different so it's difficult to pinpoint the connection between him and the extra.
    4) The extra wasn't originally supposed to die apparently, but the jerk god's associate changed the plan, killed him, and sent him to another world. Octavia/Maki was unfated to die, so the jerk gave her the choice of going into her favorite BL novel. I'm unsure of the chances that the extra, who died first went, to the BL world and the jerk god just twisted Octavia's options and sent her there as a new form of an experiment. But you need to remember, at least in my opinion, from what I can see and hear from the jerk god, these are beings are so far whimsical. They do these horrible "experiments" just for their own curiosity and pleasure. Octavia/Maki's death was unplanned, so the options given to her were also essentially whimsical.
    5) The extra's design may also just be a coincidence since the manga doesn't always reflect the novel, like how the novel describes Clifford cutting a piece of his sleeve to bandage Octavia's hand, but in the manga, he uses his tie.
    This is further noted by the fact that the extra's physical description isn't described in the novel. "
    The only other pedestrian waiting at the traffic light was a young man who looked like a college student" is the only line that implies that the extra is young.



    As I'm writing I myself am wondering if the jerk god's associate would be the sky god (or even the jerk god himself) in the BL world, assuming there is an actual being that is playing the part of the sky god.



    Your statement about "the energy to create two worlds...", there are presumably a lot of worlds out there. In the translated manga, the jerk god says to Octavia/Maki that "It shouldn't take much time to create a new world and reincarnate you there" so I don't think it requires a lot of energy.

    But I am dubious if they are actually gods, or some other beings playing as gods (since not all religions necessarily have a god or gods).
    There is a paragraph in chapter 35 from Octavia's perspective:
    "Rather than the yaoyorozu gods that I was familiar with in Japan, I think they were different entities. In any case, from the point of view of a mere human, he is like a god."
    There's no information about him and his kind after Octavia reincarnated, apart from the fact that Rust looks like him, and I'm still trying to understand the connection between that. I just call him jerk god because it's the only distinguishable name since Octavia calls him the "young man" and there are many young men in this series (that and he's a jerk.)


    I can't confidently say much about the Shuus and Jyuus since there's not much information about them. Clifford, the ML, is the only Jyuu we, the readers, personally know. It's from him mostly that we learn about Jyuus and Shuus. The other Jyuus we've known in the series only include the Jyuus fighting him in the Sky Room at the semi-ball, and only the Jyuu leader and Emilio are distinctive but we know nothing about Jyuus from them.

    But the problem with the information we get about Shuus and Jyuus from Clifford is that it's not much to make any sense of the many mysteries in this series, and most of it is also not true. He talks about Jyuus generally to Octavia, like how they serve their masters and don't lie (which that itself is a lie), but not personally about Jyuus, apart from the fact, in his POV, that they might target him if they knew his real identity. And what that is, I have no idea. He's not giving me any leeway, just like how he hid his neck scar in his fanservice scene in the manga!

    Clifford, basically, is an unreliable source of information about Jyuus openly told to other people (which is just Octavia). He's not even spilling the tea in his own thoughts! I love him, but he's sus (not in a bad way, tho)!

    He says he's a "special jyuu", but I wonder to what extent. The only thing that I believe that does make him a special Jyuu is his strength. In the dream chapter, the guys affiliated with Nathaniel and were abusing a young Clifford had expectations of him. I'm not sure if his strength is related to the origin of his birth since his mom (I assume) was lightly mentioned. Even in his fight with the Jyuus at the semi-ball, who can only be discerned from their great strength, he easily defeated a lot of them without any scratches or breaking a sweat, which reflects his great strength.

    For the points:

    - multiple Shu ---> He told Octavia he had a master before, but like I've said in my earlier posts, it's unsure if his first master is even alive or dead. Because if the master is dead, the bond might become void, allowing Clifford to take on a new master. In the manga, he only tells Octavia "I am a special Jyuu. Your Highness, you are my second Shu". These two lines reveal nothing about the first master's status (dead or alive) or any other information about them with the exception that they ordered Clifford to save Sill. There's no mention of him having the ability to take in many masters, and if that ability can extend to other Jyuus out there, that we have yet to personally know. It's already been proven that Clifford can lie even to Octavia, so his words can be skeptical (for now at least).
    Part of me thinks that Clifford told Octavia that bit because Octavia was worried since, as far as she knows, Jyuus can only take one master for life. But the clan is presumably rare, so her information about them is also highly lacking. For example, she was surprised by the titbit from Clifford that Jyuus can't lie (but it's a lie lol). I've explained in earlier posts as well that Clifford willingly took Octavia as his master possibly because of her kindness and care for him, and the fact that she chose him (randomly) as her knight despite all the controversies around him.


    - lied to his Shu ---> I think that Jyuus in general can lie to their masters, so it's not an exception for Clifford. Like I've said, Clifford can lie, so his open statements about Jyuus to Octavia should be taken with a grain of salt. He doesn't mention anywhere that lying is an exception for him as a Jyuu, just that he lied to her.
    There's also possibly evidence out there which is in the form of Emilio. Emilio is the young Jyuu who Clifford and co fought at the Sky room during Sill's rescue mission. We find out that he is affiliated with a young blind girl named Lilishana Tahen. Emilio is pretty much silent when Daddy Duke Nightfellow confronts him using Lilishana. But Lilishana ask him "Are you done with your business?" which does imply that he did lie to Lilishana (or maybe he was simply vague about it since we don't know their entire conversation). I'm assuming that he was silent to most of Lilishana's questions during the confrontation because he maybe didn't want to tell her something that could scare her or disappoint her since he was part of drugging Sil, despite the fact that he protected him when the Jyuu leader tried attacking him.

    - killed Nathaniel/ Nathan the religious leader ---> Yes, this I can agree with. Apparently, Jyuus can't kill Nathaniel even if they have a master, but Clifford was the only exception to be able to do that. It may possibly be related to his origin of birth which is still highly shrouded in mystery, apart from the fact there were expectations from him so his birth was apparently expected.
    Also, Nathan in the novel is a completely different person. He's Prince Douche's goon, who fought against Clifford during his trial.

    - can understand Japanese in their shared dream ---> This part, on the other hand, isn't related to his exception.
    If Clifford was the extra who was killed by the jerk god's associate, then he would have felt familiar with the Japanese environment in his sixth POV. Granted, he was calm and composed, but I think he was observing his surroundings before doing anything. Clifford is a warrior and is the observant type, which has already been proven, especially with him having a habit of first checking the weapons of the people he meets. Since it wasn't a hostile environment, he let his guard down. This is supported by the lines "He doesn't feel it to be as dangerous as it sounds. Clifford let go of his sword."
    The reason he can understand Japanese is because of his subordinate-master bond with Octavia, since it is her dream. (I was going to write a post about it to compare him and Derek, where I suggest that Octavia essentially and subconsciously "allows" Clifford to know her language in her dream and, thus, knowing her past and her hidden emotions.)
    The lines include:
    "Their language sounds like something he’s never heard before, so why did he know what they're talking about?"
    "It's because of the connection by the "sign". It can happen when the deeply connected "Lord" and "subordinate" strengthen the "sign". Consciousness is connected. If you can connect at the same time, you may be connected with a time difference."
    That's why he can understand her language apart from seeing her past memories. Because of their deep connection which lets them swap bits of each other's pasts. Just like how Octavia saw his past in his dream.




    Clifford's wants and desires aren't exactly mentioned, but he was a man who was always fighting in battle. He was used as a fighting machine since he was young, and wasn't raised with the affection and kindness that Octavia gives. He even says that the happy family (of Octavia when she was Maki) also existed in his world (the BL world) but it was incompatible with him because he didn't have a happy family where can you just let your guard down and be open. I think he's changing a bit in the fourth novel because of Octavia, like when he tried to ask about the flower that Edgar, the male queen, put in her hair, while Clifford was in prison, despite not knowing why he cared about that. It's a step.

    The extra, on the other hand, was basically someone who took his family for granted. In the jerk god's own words, he was a NEET. He blamed society for his shortcomings and believed he could be peerless if he was reborn in another world. He wanted to become someone like in most isekai stories where the reincarnator becomes OP, finds life fulfillment and finds love or a harem.

    You can argue that maybe he changed, despite the jerk god saying that most of the humans transmuted into other worlds don't really change. After all, Clifford was in the cruel part of his world but he survived. From a young age, he became self-reliant because no one helped him. But it also made him close himself off mostly, making him confused about his own human emotions. I do still think that he and the extra aren't connected, and the extra is suffering in the other cruel world that the jerk god showed, but, as long as Clifford's past remains a mystery, it's completely unclear if there is a connection or not.



    Personally and subjectively speaking, I hope it's not. Even though the extra's death is just cruel and horrible, him being violent to his parents and thinking that restarting his life will give him a new ticket to life's success is just lame and a turn-off. I understand that people can have their ups and downs, but he's only a dreamer and a blamer. Clifford is more of a do-er. And despite Clifford being the strongest warrior with a lot of fighting experience, he hasn't been unnecessarily violent. Even during times when he had to fight, he was quick and just made the enemies unconscious. I stand firmly that Clifford is a sweet boy! :blobhero:
     
    Last edited: Oct 31, 2022
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