Spoiler The Most Heretical Last Boss Queen Who Will Become the Source of Tragedy...thread

Don't worry, I haven't forgotten you! I apologize for the wait; I've been battling depression lately, so it's hard for me to stay motivated. I am now halfway finished with part three of the Rosa drop, and will endeavor to have it done and up before Wednesday. Please be patient.

That said, I just bought volume 2 of the Light Novel, and I have updated my Master List with everyone's official names thus far. Note that I still have no intention of ever using said official names, but it's good to have them. For novelty's sake.

Am I the only one who headdesked when I saw that they translated the Rajah Empire as the Razia Empire? I didn't like them renaming Marie, but Razia actually infuriates me. Would have been nice if they got that right. And maybe they could have translated Sanzashi into Hawthorn (as that would set precedent for them to translate all country names).

I was curious how they were going to translate Sefek and Kemet's names, but it looks like they voted to just add Hs (Sefekh and Khemet). Which is fine. The Egyptian vibes are still there. But just for funsies, I did some research to find out how their names should actually be translated, and Sefek is Sfḫt (or Sáfḫat) and Kemet is Ḫmtw (or Ḫámtaw). (Source is here)

Anyway, I've only skimmed so far. Now to actually sit down to read it!

 

Please take your time in posting if you don't really feel like it. Me and the rest of the readers in this thread will be waiting for your return. You've done so much in contributing info on this thread and I always look forward to your posts here about the novel version's recent updates.

 

And the third and final (so far) part of the Rosa drop.

I am well aware of just how long this took to get up. I'm sorry, I thought I was up for it, but my staying power lately is trash. There's been some real-life drama that, while it did not effect me directly, still sent me into a downward spiral emotionally. There's nothing wrong with these particular scenes (I even think they're interesting), I just had trouble getting in the right headspace...

Again, naming the scenes according to chapter. The following excerpts do not contain the entire chapter. (You'll have to wait until the translator reaches this point to read the whole chapter, or TL it yourself.)

Takes place in the Villain Arc:

(Unknown POV) 503.1 And Shuts Up

Spoiler

"Ahahahaha!! So funny! Shrieking so pitifully even though he's a man. What an idiot!! Ahahahahahahahahahaha!"

Handily taking care of the guards that tried to capture her, she ridiculed the guards that fell.

Far from being surprised, she grew excited and moved even faster, leaping up as though dancing. Meanwhile, the guards collapsed one after another, both by the door and around Pryde. Eventually the large number of guards assigned to guard the Royal Family had all collapsed, holding their heads. Straddling the guards that were no longer an opponent, the Pryde that slowly approached Rosa was a threat in anyone's eyes.

"Hey? Can you tell me ... ... What is it that's wrong with me?"

She spoke to the Queen, the Prince Consort, and the Regent standing in front of the Chancellor, as if she were the highest-ranking person there.

Tap, tap, tap. Everyone inhaled as she approached slowly. In contrast to her soft tone of voice, they could only feel an ominous chill at the vicious curve of that mouth.

Albert shouted, "Pryde, what are you planning to do!!" But Pryde didn't stop. Gilbert moved forward a few steps to protect Rosa and his friends. Pryde stopped at once.

She knew that Gilbert was strong. Furthermore, Gilbert didn't fight Pryde at his actual age in the game, so Pryde didn't know if she could win. Although her feet stopped, Pryde continued to smile calmly, and Gilbert stared at her with sweat beading on his forehead.

Rosa quietly opened her mouth from her protected position behind Albert and Wes.

"Before I answer that question, answer my question first, Pryde."

In this situation where she seemed cornered, her voice was full of the dignity and authority of a Queen.

Pryde raised her head slightly at Rosa's words, unable too see Rosa hidden behind Gilbert, and answered "What is it?"

"Who is that transparent ability person?"

In response to Rosa, who clearly said that, Pryde's smile grew even wider.

Pryde, who still had a terrible smile that resembled a mask, exhaled after a few seconds of silence. "Sigh ..." Immediately afterward, she held her stomach and began to laugh from the bottom of her heart. "Ahahahahaha!!"

"As expected of Hahaue ... ...!! Is that right? I don't understand!? Ahaha ... ... I'm the princess of the Freesia Kingdom, you know? I should be noticed right away ... ...!! Ahahaha ... ...!!"

Pryde laughed with tears in her eyes, which she wiped away with her fingertips at the end.

Rosa and the others remained silent as Pryde kept laughing, only wondered how they went.

A transparency special ability person. It was a special ability that relatively few people had. A special ability that enabled a person to render themselves, and the things they touched, invisible.

It was something that they all knew from the time when Pryde appeared without the aud of Stayle. But the question was, "Where did you get them from, and how?"

Gilbert also searched for signs, but the person wasn't around him right now. If he tried to get closer to Pryde right now, he'll be able to recapture her, but he won't be able to help if he distances himself. At least the door hasn't opened since Pryde appeared, so there was no doubt that they are in the hall, Gilbert thought.

While doing so, Pryde tired of laughing, and released her stomach, lifted her hair and swept it aside. Then, with a self-satisfied smile spreading, she shouted across Gilbert at Rosa and the others as if they were being foolish.

"I borrowed it? From Prince Adam."

Gilbert took a breath when Pryde spoke without concealing anything, and his pulse raced.

She named Adam, who was currently on the run, and furthermore, she spoke as if he owned that special ability person. When did they make contact, when everyone tried so desperately to prevent it ... ... Not only that.

What Gilbert was most worried about after Pryde's words.

Pryde might be colluding with the Rajah Empire. That was his suspicion.

Adam and Pryde suddenly wanted to make contact with one another. And Adam's words that mocked the existence of an accomplice, "If that's true, then isn't it about time they come??" It was natural to suspect that Pryde was going to Adam.

Of course, it was supposed to be impossible. At the time, Adam was imprisoned and should not have known that Pryde was on her way to him.

However, it was believable if there was a person with the transparency special ability involved in this series of events. Since Pryde appeared her woth the assistance of that special ability person, there was no doubt that they existed. The question was, who was that person and how did they infiltrate the castle? It wasn't that no one had thought about it, but it was unbelievable.

"Who is that person?"

"I don't know, I haven't seen their face yet."

Rosa's leading words made her twist as if having fun, and laugh softly.

Then, a video message from a communication special ability person cut in to interrupt their communication. "Reporting! Pryde-sama has disappeared from the detached tower! There is no trace of her, and she vanished without notice ... ..." he reported.

Although it wasn't new information, Rosa and the others were relieved to hear that the guards around the detached tower were safe.

"Is it fun to hear about me?" Pryde grinned as she listened to the report, and said, "Hey? Please answer my question" and repeated her words.

In response to Pryde's words and attitude, Rosa bit her lower lip and moved her bud-like lips.

"Pryde, are you still associating with the Rajah Empire, and ... ... nn ... ...!?"

The Queen's words halted.

"Rosa?" Albert and Wes both asked. But there was no reply. Impossible, the instant that their eyes widened.

Rosa's scream broke out.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaa, it was the same scream as the guards. Albert, Wes and Gilbert all went pale. Albert hugged Rosa as she collapsed, calling her name over and over again, then

Head his head and screamed.

Takes place in the Rebellion Arc:

(Stayle POV) 555.1 The Adopted Brother is Forgiven

Spoiler

"Rosa, can you stand ... ...!?"

Standing in front to hide Rosa, who was still in her sleepwear, he spoke to her gently.

Even after waking up and moistening her deathly dry throat, Rosa was in an uncertain state. While Albert and Regent Wes questioned Gilbert, Queen Rosa almost absent-minded. As she held her head, with its long, messy hair, it was all she could do to listen to Gilbert's explanation. Rosa desperately stifled her gasping breath, her body trembling as if frozen. Albert embraced her shoulders with his arms, and Rosa finally lifted her hand to over his.

It was no surprise she was upset. Pryde's innocence, the national crisis, the rebellion led by Pryde and Adam, and the involvement of the Anemone Kingdom in repelling the Rajah Empire. And now, they have been allowed to invade the castle town.

However, it was unacceptable for the Queen, who held the highest authority, to remain bewildeted. As Albert called out to encourage her, Rosa's trembling lips moved desperately.

"... ... ayle ... ...! ... ... Stayle ... ...!! Stayle !! !!"

To the name that gradually became a cry, Stayle ran up.

"Here!" He raised his voice, and stood with Albert in front of Rosa. Everyone's palms grew damp when the mother called her son, Stayle, as if to say it wasn't time to calm down yet.

Grasp. Rosa grabbed Stayle's hand strongly between both her hands.

Stayle unintentionally raised his voice as those thin, fair hands grasped him with unimaginable power. When he looked up, Rosa's golden eyes stared directly at Stayle.

"You, too ... ... go ahead!! Now, you must do everything that you can!! Pryde is, keep an eye on that child!! The way that child is! ... That child ... ... hmm ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... She herself will give up on living ...!"

Stayle caught his breath at the fierce voice that he never would have imagined coming from his mother's usual appearance.

Rosa, who revealed such a passionate figure, sank down at the end as if she had no energy, and when she raised her face, she was crying. She grit her small teeth and shook her head. Not just Stayle, but everyone there was convinced of the veracity of those words as they looked at the Queen's appearance.

"Stop Pryde ... ...!! That child, if you know that child well, then you should have everything!! Think about who will stop that child, who will protect that child, and bring them all together. Take every measure possible before you go. That child ... ... tell that child!! No one will be saved by that death. You have to tell her that ... ... If it doesn't get through, it will be impossible to get her back in the true sense!!"

It was foresight.

Everyone understood. Until now, Rosa was unable to hide her confusion because it was something she had foreseen. It was because of the overlap between the current situation and the prediction Rosa had made. The air inside the palace felt cold as midwinter in response to the prediction that Rosa made.

They could only understand that the crisis had not yet passed, even though the upper echelon woke up, and the Rajah Empire's invasion was successfully prevented.

The pressure coming from Rosa was heavier than ever, and Stayle's shoulders tensed as well. When Albert asked if it was foreknowledge while holding Rosa's raised shoulders, she affirmed it with one word.

In the midst of that turmoil, Rosa gently relaxed her grip on Stayle's hand and stood slowly. Like Albert and Wes, she got out of bed, stood on her own two feet, and straightened her back. The figure that was graceful as a flower stem now that she had regained her vitality was certainly the Queen.

"Inform the whole army!! I, Rosa Royale Ivy, will make a stand here ... ...!! I will direct the main forces with Albert, Wes and Gilbert. We will continue to entrust the knights here with our escort ... ...!!!!"

A high, clear voice came out.

Everyone bowed to the voice that was so powerful as to be unbelievable that it came from such a slender body. Every knight, including Knight Commander Roderick, knelt once more. "As you command," multiple voices intoned as Rosa looked around with a sharp, yet gentle expression.

She put her hand on Stayle's back, as he still looked confused with his head down.

"Stayle, this is my order as Queen. Take the organized knights and go to the torture tower. You may nominate strong individuals if you wish ... ... Can you leave?"

"Yes!" Stayle returned those words without hesitation.

The knights were in formation to capture Pryde and Adam. Stayle couldn't help but want to participate there. Rather, once the governmental system led by the three rulers was restored, Stayle had intended to ask Rosa himself.

Fist pressed against his chest, Stayle swallowed as Rosa gave her instructions. Wes discussed the situation with Gilbert, while Albert covered the lightly-dressed Rosa with his jacket. Now that the three members of the Royal Family were awake, they did not need to hide in the Chancellor's room. In this wide space with thicker, stronger walls, the knights could easily protect the Royal Family in a command center better suited for them. Taking the servants and knights with them, they left on their own feet.

Knight Commander Roderick and Vice Commander Clark sent reports and orders to each squad through a correspondent. The head of state has been restored. Move the main unit. The 9th Corps Knights gathered in the throne room headed towards the torture tower.

Each squad sprung up in response to the Queen's restoration. Morale increased as they were convinced of their victory.

Now that the Rajah Empire has been suppressed and the Royal Family was awake.

"We will recapture the First Princess ... ...!!!!"

The door to the throne room opened with the Queen's declaration.

(Pryde POV) 575. The Stronghold Accepts

Spoiler

Hahaue looked at them with an incredibly powerful look.

Catching a glimpse of her from behind Chichiue's back, Hahaue pressed her rose-like lips together tightly, and her soft eyes were not reserved as usual. Still, the elegance and dignity of a Queen remained unchanged. She was the true Queen of this country ... ... The person that Pryde had dragged down from the throne had a wide chest and unbent spine, and wide golden eyes. She held herself with her thin, white hands and trembled as her snow-white face flushed red.

There were a lot of tears in her eyes.

Seeing her cry like Tiara, Pryde thought that she was Tiara's mother. And her mother.

Chichiue made space and encouraged Hahaue to come. Hahaue hesitantly walked up to Pryde, only to hesitate.

As a Queen, was it because Pryde led a rebellion even though she was being manipulated, or was it because of Tiara's violation? Thinking that, Pryde swallowed as she stood beside Tiara, but a moment later Hahaue spread her arms to them with a tearful face like a child's.

Like Chichiue, Hahaue hugged Pryde, Tiara and Stayle with her slim and narrow arms ... ... Pryde grew tense.

The arms that wrapped around them was not as strong as Chichiue's. Furthermore, her steps were small and unsteady. Hahaue stood between them with her face buried in Pryde's shoulder, a nostalgic scent coming from her. Pryde never thought that her mother the Queen would show this face in front of the knights.

"... ... nnn ... ... You ... ... nnn ... Again, I lost sight of you ... ... I'm so sorry ... ...!!"

A small, somewhat rough voice whispered by her ear.

Pryde choked back tears, the sensation of her mother's shuddering body transmitted directly as Hahaue cried. Hahaue apologized to Pryde, who had done all these terrible like the image of a truly abominable princess, truly was a mother.

"Hahaue," she called, the warmth of those words leaving her stunned.

The reason Hahaue didn't run up with Chichiue and Uncle Wes earlier wasn't because she was angry with her. Pryde was sure that the reason why she hesitated all this time

It's my fault.

"... ... Hahaue's prediction was not wrong ... ... ... I'm sorry I hurt you again ... ... nn."

And Hahaue felt responsible.

Hahaue realized late that Pryde was being manipulated by Adam, that was why she hesitated to touch her.

... ... I did not understand. Pryde did not notice it even after such a long time. Even she, who had predicted this ten years ago, did not think it was someone else's work, but merely the game settings exerting itself.

"Nn ... ... Such a terrible me ... ... Thank you for not abandoning me ... ... nn ... ... Hahaue ... ...!!"

When she said it, Pryde felt her throat start to cramp as her tears overflowed.

Pryde hugged her mother's head that was buried in her shoulder, pulling her closer. Hahaue's trembling immediately grew worse. Stayle and Tiara hugged them tightly on both the left and right sides to support Hahaue. Pryde gave strength to the hands that hugged her mother's head.

Pryde remembered it clearly.

Even before Pryde was moved to the detached tower, her mother, the Queen, came to see her many times.

Hahaue and Chichiue continued to endure her, who repeatedly wove cruel words. Faces pale and expressions distorted with pain, they came to visit all the time. Far from being parent and child, Pryde was so terrible that they couldn't help but lock her away in a prison cell ... ... they continued to face her properly as they preached desperately.

Pryde hugged Hahaue, and felt crushed by guilt that she had attempted to choose death even though she had a family who thought so much of her. Even in the prediction that Tiara had showed, they were, everyone was so sad.

Hahaue was about to collapse, and Chichiue gently pulled her from behind with his hands on her shoulders. Hahaue drew away slowly, and covered her tear-stained face with both hands as she leaned on Chichiue's chest. Chichiue hugged her, stroking her shoulders as he looked at his children, telling them it was okay with just his eyes.

Takes place in the War's End Arc:

(Pryde POV) 621. The Silent Princess is Questioned

Spoiler

"I see. Isn't that great, Pryde ... ...?"

When Hahaue spoke, Pryde lowered her head so much she became a turtle.

Although Hahaue spoke with quiet dignity, her anger was fully conveyed. Pryde knew what she meant, but before she could say anything, Chichiue interrupted, "Why didn't you tell us during the examination?" Her Uncle Wes had just left, but if he was there as well, Pryde would have been questioned even more severely.

"I am sorry ... ..." Pryde apologized with rounded shoulders.

Pryde had been forcibly taken to her mother by Stayle and Tiara, and reported her special abilities as prompted by them.

That Pryde could foresee the immediate future with her own will.

"... ... I believed that Tiara would succeed the throne, so I thought that unnecessary information would only be a bother. After that, I lost the opportunity to say anything."

"And now it has caused further confusion."

Badump ... ... Hahaue's pointed response was unforgiving.

Pryde apologized again, shrinking under the pressure from her mother and father. It was true. If Hahaue suddenly received this information while she was adjusting Tiara's position as the second royal sister and Pryde's position as the future queen, then her decision will need to be reconsidered once again.

Hahaue was smiling elegantly, but thanks to the people in the hall, Pryde received a lot of looks. If Arthur and Colm were not standing behind Pryde as guardian knights, they would have been even angrier. Instead, Chichiue had a deep wrinkle between his brows as he gave Pryde a severe stare, making her avoid his gaze. Even Chancellor Gilbert, who stood behind her father, smiled with such a piercing look that her eyes had nowhere to go except the floor.

"... ... This is a good opportunity. Shall we discuss this a little?"

Hahaue suddenly gave an order to Arthur and Colm with a hand gesture. It was the same one she had given the guards earlier. Hahaue was instructing them to leave the room! Pryde felt a chill up her spine. When she thought that her mother was really angry, her shoulders rose sharply.

Pryde wanted to stop Arthur and Colm from leaving the hall at Hahaue's command. Just before the door closed, the two looked back anxiously at Pryde as if they were being sold like cattle. Pryde stiffened at the sound of the door slamming shut. Both Stayle and Tiara looked a bit tense neither having expected this.

"... ... ... ... Now, Pryde. I wonder if you have anything else to hide ... ...?"

Hiiiiii!!!!

Once the only people in the hall were Chancellor Gilbert and her family, Pryde trembled as Hahaue's tone changed just slightly.

Pryde spread her hands in front of her as she shook her head left and right. She proclaimed her innocence, as the destruction she'd foreseen was gone. In actuality, the game from her previous life had numerous sequels, but Pryde wanted to keep that knowledge secret for the rest of her life

In response, Hahaue bent her elbow on the arm of the throne and rested her cheek on her hand. Her smile as she rested her chin on the back if her gand had a magical sense of pressure, and Pryde remembered, "... ... A. Hahaue is the mother of the Last Boss Pryde." Pryde was convinced.

But she didn't threaten them afterwards, and Hahaue gave a short exhale as if giving up. Sigh ... ... and after a lovely sigh, a small voice came out.

"... ... You need not reveal all of your secrets. Albert and I have just as many secrets as you. The same is true for Wes and Gilbert ... ... ... ... Stayle, Tiara. Both of you as well ... ...?"

Shing, and Hahaue's golden eyes aimed at Stayle and Tiara with sharp precision.

When Pryde followed her mother's line of sight, both Stayle and Tiara were close-mouthed with raised shoulders ... ... Well, Stayle did hide that his teleportation special ability let him move directly to a specific person, and Tiara hid her knife throwing. They might have used it instinctively at the end of the recapture war, but neither Hahaue nor anyone else mentioned it.

"However, the precognitive special ability is the most important issue for the Royal Family. It is our obligation as someone with precognition to firmly grasp knowledge of the future, and make use of that knowledge for a better future. Aren't you familiar with that after the recapture war?"

... ... Yes. That's right ... ...

Pryde was keenly aware of that during the recapture war. Predicting the future was something too heavy to endure alone. Ten years ago, the situation might have changed if Pryde had reported the future she'd foreseen not only to Stayle and Arthur, but also to Hahaue and everyone.

Tiara looked thoughtful as she looked down. In Tiara's case, she concealed her precognitive special ability for Pryde's sake.

"Wes has yet to return, but it's fine. This is the last chance. Let us reexamine your predictive ability ... ... I will not allow you to hide it."

And her soft eyes shone with a piercing stare.

It was the same expression as Pryde's mother from her previous life when she confessed to not finishing all of her homework over summer vacation. If Pryde doesn't confess right now then she will definitely be in huge trouble next time.

Pryde didn't think that Tiara would be questioned right alongside her. "Understood," Pryde said, and Tiara echoed her.

Since Uncle Wes wasn't there now, Chancellor Gilbert took the initiative to investigate the situation in his place. Chancellor Gilbert stepped forward gracefully, and looked from Pryde to Tiara with sharp eyes.

"First of all ... in regards to the frequency of precognition on average. How long is your cycle?"

The frequency of precognition varied from person to person.

Hahaue had visions several times a month, but in the past there were queens who had visions several times a week or once every ten years. For Pryde ... ... ... ... the only precognition she actually remembered was when she foresaw her treason ten years ago, and the revolution of Stayle and the knights on the day of the recapture war.

Pryde thought she might have foreseen something during the defense battle a year ago, but she wasn't sure if it was a dream, a memory, or precognition. Pryde was only certain that she'd made two predictions, once ten years ago, and once this year. Did that mean that her cycle was only once every ten years? The Last Boss Pryde from the game had visions far more often than that.

In that case ... ... Pryde hesitated before she could say that her cycle was ten years. It wouldn't work, it would contradict her decision to hide her game knowledge as a prediction.

"For me ... ... it's very sparse. Sometimes there are several predictions in a month, other times it's once in a few years. I can't tell at all ... ..."

That wasn't a lie. Pryde really didn't know how to tell.

Pryde didn't understand why the frequency of her predictions were different from the Pryde in the game, and she didn't know when she will have another vision in the future. It might be ten years from now if she's unlucky. Thinking about it like that, Pryde honestly thought that Tiara was better suited to be queen.

When Pryde thought that, Tiara moved her mouth as she spoke after her, "For me"

"I ... ... From what I can remember, there was once three years ago, twice one year ago, and twice during the recapture war ... ... That's why, I think my cycle is twice a year at this stage."

Three years.

Pryde swallowed when she heard that Tiara had been having visions long before she expected.

Pryde thought that the Tiara from the game would have noticed her predictive ability long ago if she wasn't trapped in the detached tower ... ... No, it was clear from the very beginning of the game that Tiara had visions foreshadowing the future quite often after her birthday celebration ... ... Why was it that the frequency of both Pryde and Tiara's precognition was lower than in the game?

In response to Pryde and Tiara's words, Hahaue and Chichiue, as well as Chancellor Gilbert nodded briefly. "I see." When Chancellor Gilbert lifted a pen to record their testimony, Stayle teleported to Chancellor Gilbert's side. "Let me replace Uncle Wes." Just like that, he nominated himself to record it instead.

Hahaue allowed it with a nod, and Chancellor Gilbert entrusted it to Stayle with a smile. Tiara moved at the same time as Stayle and stepped forward to line up beside Pryde. She hesitated for a moment before opening her mouth, "There's also ... ...

"It's not precognition, but sometimes I have strange, upsetting dreams. I don't know what happens in the dream ... ... but it's very upsetting."

Dreams. Pryde also remembered those.

Tiara spoke with a tense face while clasping her hands in front of her chest, and Pryde was holding her chest before she noticed.

"Me, too. I remember doing that ... ..."

Tiara looked back at her with wide eyes. "Onee-sama, too!?"

Pryde's eyes swam before she closed her mouth. "No, it was just a nightmare, I forget my dreams most of the time." At least, Pryde didn't think it was something to worry about that much ... ... ... ... Coincidentally, in the game

"An omen, is it ... it is not uncommon."

Pryde raised her head at Hahaue's words.

Hahaue rested her chin gracefully on her upturned palm, and closed her eyes in a calm manner. Pryde and Tiara, as well as Stayle, who was writing everything with a pen, looked up at her in worry. Whether or not Chancellor Gilbert and Chichiue knew, they waited in silence for Hahaue to speak.

"A prediction that could not be captured ... ... it is said to be that. Where you cannot remember the image of the future you foresaw, and only the sensations and emotions remain. It has not been confirmed, but ... ... it is theorized to be a vanishing future."

"Vanishing ... ...?"

Tiara repeated Hahaue's words as if she didn't understand.

Her thin voice was anxious, but she seemed quite interested. Pryde was also worried ... ... There was a scene in the game where Tiara showed the full scale of her precognitive special ability. When she thought about that, then all the more.

Chichiue opened his mouth on Hahaue's behalf.

"It is only a theory posited by someone with precognition in the past ... ... Of the myriad possible futures, those who can predict can only remember certain fixed futures. The closer it is to becoming certain, the more memorable it is, while the further it is from certainty, the harder it is to remember. This potential future that will not become reality can only be forgotten even if it is foreseen."

For some reason, Chichiue had deep wrinkles between his eyebrows as he explained.

He wasn't angry. Rather, he seemed to be thinking deeply about something. However, that just made his expression look worse. Chichiue looked from Pryde to Hahaue with a serious expression, and declared, "Of course, the predicted future can be changed from there."

Myriad possible futures ... ... Pryde wondered. It seemed reminiscent of the numerous routes in the game.

In the game, there were some scenes where Tiara showed glimpses of her precognitive special ability. There were some scenes where she thought, 'I wonder why ... ... I have a bad feeling' and 'I feel like I've seen this place before ... ...' When Tiara woke up the morning before the final battle, after predicting a future where she confronted Pryde, she muttered, 'Just now ... ...!?'

"However, omens are only omens ... ... It is not precognition. If the precognitive special ability is incomplete, your memory can't keep up with all the information and it is forgotten ... ... The ability to capture the future in your mind is what we call the precognitive special ability."

Hahaue followed up after Chichiue. Pryde nodded loudly.

It was true that anyone could have unpleasant premonitions or nightmares, and if that was counted as precognition then the number of people with the precognitive special ability will be innumerable. It is only considered precognition if one can prove that the future they foresaw will become reality. Tiara seemed to be convinced, "That's right ... ..." she muttered, and sighed in relief. Her tense shoulders came down gradually.

However, the words that Hahaue spoke after that made Pryde and Tiara anxious once again.

"Then up to this point, your predictive ability is no different from the people in the past? Pryde, Tiara."

Hum ... ... her mouth squeezed shut.

Hahaue looked down at them with the graceful smile of a Queen. Pryde felt a sense of tension in the change of tone that said it was time for the main topic.

I am ready, Pryde thought to herself, correcting her posture. She answered together with Tiara, and Chancellor Gilbert questioned them once more.

"Looking at this information ... ... First, Pryde-sama is able to foresee the immediate future at will. And Tiara-sama is able to show others the future that she has foreseen."

Pryde and Tiara nodded silently to Chancellor Gilbert, who looked from Pryde to Tiara.

"We will confirm that ability in the future," Chichiue reminded him in a low voice. "Is there anything else you're hiding about your special ability? Pryde, Tiara."

There was nothing ... ... Probably.

If she didn't include her memories from her previous life, then Pryde's special ability should only be that much.

Just in case, Pryde said that she could only predict the immediate future consciously; if she was not aware of the situation, then she couldn't predict it no matter how dangerous it was. If she said that, then Pryde thought that her predictive ability was poor. She felt a little bad when she thought that, and beside her, Tiara raised her thin arm in a frightening manner.

"That is ... ..." Tiara spoke in a thin whisper that gained everyone's attention. Tiara looked frightened with downturned eyes, and only opened her mouth when Chancellor Gilbert asked her gently, "Is there something else ... ...?"

"When I foresee, I think I should do this ... ... I think that impulsively. I feel it, I mean, in my mind ... ... It's like a whisper. I have to do this to avoid it. This one was ... ..."

Tiara spoke as if she herself didn't quite understand.

Pryde tilted her head at Tiara, who turned her head to look back at Pryde and Hahaue. Pryde herself only foresaw the future, and then thought about what to do later. But that impulsive feeling ... ... It felt different when she said it.

From what Tiara said, it seemed to have a will separate from her own. Hahaue and Chichiue also had suspicious expressions, as if they couldn't understand. Apparently there was no precedent.

Pryde looked at Tiara's embarrassed expression, and thought back on the game again. She hadn't paid it much attention because of how the story progressed in the game, where Tiara proudly displayed her predictive ability for the very first time during the final battle against Pryde. It was a special ability that Tiara should not have used before. As if she had awakened there, it was miraculous how she immediately understood how to use that special ability.

The more Pryde thought about reality and the game settings, the more she felt like holding her head. Tiara seemed to be seriously worried, so if possible, Pryde wanted to be able to explain it so that everyone could understand if there was a clue in the game settings ... ... To be honest, she thought the truth was that it was just a main character cheat.

The power to save Pryde from insanity was a power that only the main character, Tiara, received, just like her talent for throwing knives. Her special ability let her understand what actions were suitable to avoid the future she foresaw. And she could even show that future to others without needing to touch them ... ... As expected, Tiara's predictive ability was the greatest ever.

That made Pryde even more worried about becoming queen. The future monarch is someone with precognitive special ability. And Tiara was absolutely better than her ... ...

Crackle, crackling crackling crackling.

"How wonderful! Isn't Tiara-sama's special ability completely unprecedented?"

Suddenly, Chancellor Gilbert applauded with a smiling face.

While everyone was silent in contemplation, the sound of one person's applause echoed in the hall. Stayle and Chichiue turned to Chancellor Gilbert at the same time with a sharp look.

Pryde wanted to tell him to prioritize understanding Tiara's incredible predictive ability rather than celebrating. Hahaue turned to face Chancellor Gilbert with a worried expression, and Tiara tilted her head a little.

Chancellor Gilbert gracefully stopped clapping without minding the stares from Chichiue and Stayle. Chancellor Gilbert smiled with squinting eyes, and turned his body towards Hahaue and Chichiue.

"Tiara-sama's special ability is wonderful. It can be said that Pryde-sama's special ability will definitely be helpful for the future queen. From this point, it's already ... ... so to speak."

Chancellor Gilbert broke off his words with a smile.

He gently looked at everyone with his hands still layered after clapping his hands. Chancellor Gilbert's smiling light blue eyes glowed mysteriously.

That last scene is huge, but it's also the biggest info dump about precognition in the Freesia Kingdom. (It's also where most of my procrastination came from, because this scene was most of a chapter.)

So these three Rosa drops don't cover every appearance that Rosa makes in Part One of the novel, but it is most of them. I know I'm missing a few, but I don't feel like making another reread specifically for Rosa scenes. This already took forever as is.

 

Yay, finally the Reconciliation Arc is over!! I've been waiting for this for two weeks now!

36 Reconciliation Arc (chapters 315-354)

Spoiler

On the last day of the undercover inspection, Ray faces judgement for his crimes. Pryde visits Amulet's student dorm for girl talk and to discuss Phillip's upcoming birthday, and learns that Amulet has a crush on Powell. Pryde's handicrafts teacher Nell meets with Marie to display her lace work, and is brought to the palace to sign a business contract with Pryde. Nell informs Clark about the business contract, and Clark is chagrined to discover that Nell has developed an attraction to Harrison. After remembering details about the Last Boss of the second game, Pryde starts to look for her, unaware that Gracile is one of Kemet's school friends. Lyre sneaks into school to check on Ray, but is discovered by Val. After moving houses, Ray discovers that he is now neighbors with Dios and Curi.

So after more than 1000 chapters, we finally get to meet Vice Commander Clark's younger sister officially (it's Pryde's handicrafts teacher, Nell). Unsure about his wife's name, though. It's either Diana or Olivia. We also learn Marie's last name (it's Cleland). Now we just need to find out Lotte's surname, and then we'll finally know the full names of every named character introduced in the first story arc. There are only five people, it shouldn't be that hard, but!!

Anyway, I'm going to have to reread the middle school arc, because Gracile being a member of the lower class is a shock. Pryde did say at the start that the Last Boss of the second game was trivial compared to "Pryde," and her only real power was through Ray, but...I did not expect this.

So the next story arc is another birthday party one...this time it's Cedric's birthday. Please let it be less boring than Stayle's.

 

As you might be aware, the third volume of the light novel was released officially in English two days ago. I just got my hands on it now, so here's my impressions (in order) as I read.

Warning: The following review will be train of thought, and as such will include both gushing and raving and ranting. Given the previous two novels, there will probably be more ranting than the other two.

Spoiler: Fiancé Arc

Crying because they're neglecting Val again. They cut the first scene of the Fiancé Arc, which was where he learned about the engagement. Also crying at them not translating kingdom names correctly (Lilyturf Kingdom is left as Yaburan).

They illustrated Val's proposal, are you serious!? I am crying!!! It's so beautiful. Absolutely worth the full price of the book. I want to print it out and hang it on my wall. Val is gorgeous.

Less happy that they changed "I'm glad you were here" into "I'm glad to have you." It's just not as impactful. It also has undertones of ownership, which is icky in this context.

They also cut Val's delivery, and Pryde sending him on his mission to observe Leon.

The illustration of Pryde's nap is a fail. It's a nice picture; Stayle looks better than he's ever done, but the first panel is him gazing lovingly...at Tiara (lol). (Does the artist realize that Stayle is only 15 here? Man, puberty hit this kid hard.)

They cut when Pryde meets Leon's family, too. The showdown against his brothers is still there, obviously, but they trimmed this arc down hard. I am scared of what they're going to do to the longer arcs.

I really wish that Leon and Stayle had different hairstyles. They look way too similar. Stayle is...fine, I guess; I'm used to this appearance, he's had it from the start, but Leon's haircut is just too similar. Take the bishounen sparkle away and you won't be able to tell the two of them apart. Even their hair color is similar. No self-respecting otome game would ever let these character designs go. Seriously, there are only five capture targets; having two of them look the exact same is not good.

And yet, despite that hackjob, they left Leon's following word-for-word recap of the entire previous scene as is. Why.

You notice how the localization team corrected their translation of Stayle's glasses in this volume, so they're referred to as black frames now instead of lenseless? I hope this means they realized that Stayle has bad eyesight and actually needs glasses. A poor boy like Arthur cannot afford to buy fashion frames every single year; those lenses gotta be prescription.

Why. Does Colm have to look Tiara's age? He's in his mid-twenties at least, this is ridiculous. There's looking young for his age and then there's being an outright shota, and Colm looks like an elementary school student.

I'm a little sad that Gilbert's one POV scene, where he assists with Stayle's regent training plan, got cut. It was actually an important plot point, so it not being in the light novel is disappointing.

Spoiler: Small Party Arc

Are you flipping kidding me? This is absolutely outrageous. The localization team changed Pryde and Val's scene so that he didn't eat the onigiri right out of her hand. Same with Pryde. Instead, they are stealing food from each other's plate.

If they were going to change the best part of this filler arc like this, then they should have cut Pryde hand-feeding Stayle and Arthur, too. Because if they're going to change things for nonexistent reasons then those nonexistent reasons should impact all of the ships.

And they cut the entire end of this arc, so Hanazuo doesn't get namedropped here. Siigh.

Spoiler: Extras

This extra actually looks familiar. I know it's a new story exclusively for the light novels, but I really feel like I've read this before.

Why is this extra feeding me Val/Pryde scenes? I feel so confused. I mean, I'll take it; I'm not dumb. Just confused. The mixed messages are real, okay?? (I think it's supposed to be Pryde handing out her recipes, but there's no confirmation yet...yep, it's the recipes.)

Knight Commander Roderick, are you actually the MVP of the light novel? You get the best lines, Pryde waxes poetic about you constantly, and most importantly, the localization team never neglects you. Are you actually their preferred character?

And they misspelled Cersis Kingdom as Cercis. Siigh. Why even bother to include it in this extra when you cut this entire discussion mentioning them from the previous arc?

Eh? You're putting Val and Leon's friendship scene here? I mean, I'm down, obviously, it's a hugely important scene, but I thought it was going to be cut completely. Instead, it's a short flashback, only half a page long.

And that's the end of the book. It's still worth it just for the Val/Pryde illustration, but...I can't believe they just cut two of the four Val/Pryde scenes from the Fiancé Arc, and sterilized the one in the Small Party Arc. Why do they hate me so???

Final thoughts: Read the webnovel on syosetu. It's lengthy, but the MTL is decent and you get all the scenes. Buy the light novel to support the author and worship the novel illustrations, but don't expect the localization team to work miracles.

 

Bit awkward. I wasn’t too excited to read another birthday arc, so I left the Large Party Arc for a week, checked, saw that Nell had two POV chapters. So I decided to hold off another couple days to see if Val might get a POV, too...and found out that the author went on hiatus the entire time I was waiting on chapters to pile up.

And then once the hiatus was over, the author started a new story arc. The Large Party Arc is filler, as expected. Not even 10 chapters long.

37 Large Party Arc (chapters 355-363)

Spoiler

Pryde attends Cedric's birthday celebration while advertising Nell's lacework, and receives numerous orders for her business. Pryde reassures Clark that Nell earned her support irregardless of being his sister. Following their traditions, Pryde, Stayle and Tiara give Cedric a gift as a group: a lamp in the shape of the flower he likes. Cedric holds Hanazuo's traditional dance, with Lance dancing with Rosa, Joan dancing with Pryde, and Cedric dancing with Tiara (they all switch partners afterwards, but it's only those six dancing). Tiara gives Cedric a personal gift, a flower crown.

Oh, so "Diana" is Clark's mother, and Olivia is his wife. I see, I see. And Nell, Olivia and Lyre are all the same age, which is one year younger than Val (so 24-25 years old), and Clark is "more than 10 years older"...so Clark is, at minimum, Gilbert's age.

Anyway, the next arc is going to be called the Undercover Arc. Or that's what I'm going to call it, until I can think of a better word...Indifferent Girl and Undercover doesn't sound the best... (Direct translation for the word is underwater/beneath the surface. Which doesn't actually have anything to do with water, but has stealthy connotations.)

 

So who is to be the queen and the prince consort?

 

The novel is still in progress, so I cannot say definitively, but Queen Rosa has confirmed Pryde as her heir at the end of Part One of the novel. So unless something truly catastrophic happens, Pryde will be Queen when Rosa steps down.

The ML has not been confirmed at this point. Pryde still hasn't indicated which of her fiancé candidates she wants to marry, if any of them.

 

So the Undercover Arc is over. As you might have expected, it deals with Gracile (Last Boss from the second game). We get like 6 chapters from her POV with her gaslighting Kemet, it was so hard to read...!!!

38 Undercover Arc (chapters 364-390)

Spoiler

Ray goes to meet his mother for the first time in eight years together with Lyre. Pryde meets Val and Sefek while visiting Leon in Anemone, and learns that Kemet makes fewer deliveries with them after making one friend at school. Gracile tries to ruin Kemet's relationship with Val by suggesting that Val is taking advantage of Kemet. However, when Gracile asks Kemet to abandon Val and Sefek and be hers instead, Kemet refuses. Gracile contacts human traffickers to abduct Kemet, but Kemet misunderstands that Gracile is being threatened and fights them off. Gracile is beaten by the human traffickers, who decide to sell her in retaliation, but Kemet holds them off until Val arrives to rescue him and arrests the bad guys. Pryde is in high demand as a tutor, being asked three times during the day to help her friends study: Nate asks to study together before classes start, but ends up touring the middle school classrooms with Pryde instead. Pryde and Amulet have to cancel their study plans to console Dios and Curi, who are drained from having dinner with Lyre and Ray every night. Finally, Pryde spends the rest of her lunch break tutoring Powell. Pryde encounters Norman and Layla on her way home from school, and finally remembers the identity of the final capture target of the second game: their brother Brad. Remembering that today was Layla's birthday, a dangerous point in Brad's life, Pryde, Stayle, Arthur and Eric, as well as Powell, rush to stop him.

We will probably revisit the Gracile issue in the future, since she only met Val, Sefek and Kemet. Pryde really wants to meet Gracile quickly, but the next capture target is a more immediate problem right now.

Anyway, the next arc, the Black Sheep Arc, will cover the fourth and last capture target of the second game, Norman's younger brother, Brad. I'm curious what his special ability is...I wonder if he's a jinx? Right now, he's a gloomy child who dislikes interacting with anyone outside his immediate family (he might be bullied or ostracized by the other village kids), who only wishes for time to pass uneventfully.

I wonder if Norman and Powell are going to figure out who "Jeanne, Phillip and Jack" really are. Pryde wasn't being subtle at all.

 

For those of you who didn't already hear, it looks like the manga serialization will be discontinued due to the manga-ka's continued poor health. Sadness. My Sinner Arc...!!!

It's possible that the serialization may resume at a later date, so let's just hope for that.

Anyway, did anyone else see Adam's official art? He really looks like a punchable guy, doesn't he? I for one would like to hit him!

That said, I noticed that the author wrote a few Q&As for the series that I never got around to reading, so I thought I should share them here! I hope the author included some character ages, character surnames, etcetera. I would like more information for my notes!!

Because this is my first time reading these, my thoughts will be included, but briefly.

Spoiler: First Question Corner

Q. If there was an anime or drama CD, who would voice each character? Have you thought about it?
A. Forgive me, but in my head Leon's voice has always sounded like Miyano Mamoru-san's for some reason.

Pryde sounds like Sawashiro Miyuki-san, but only when she was the Last Boss Queen.

Q. Who is Amaichi-sensei's favorite male character?
A. I can't say for various reasons, but they appear in the first volume of the manga. Every time that character receives praise in the comments section, I feel extremely happy. (Me: Betcha it's Roderick.)

Q. Even if Pryde becomes selfish in Kimihika, I would like to know if Rosa could have prevented her from becoming the Last Boss if she hadn't abandoned her and disciplined Pryde strictly.
A. I think it would have been difficult if only Rosa had disciplined Pryde strictly. However, through being disciplined, Pryde would be convinced of Rosa's love, and if Albert was still alive, Pryde wouldn't be so interested in Stayle.

Q. Captain Colm said that "If you're a fiancé, you can get closer." So I wondered, since Captain Colm became Pryde's fiancé, when Pryde suddenly changed, couldn't Captain Colm do something about it with his fiancé privilege?
A. Because it was still a confidential matter that only a small number of people knew, Captain Colm wasn't able to do anything when Pryde list her visitation rights after she changed.

Fiancé candidates receive preferential invitations to ceremonies, invitations for dates or parties, and they are allowed to invite Pryde themselves.

If he had been granted more rights than that as a fiancé candidate, Captain Colm would have gone to Pryde every day after she changed, and stayed by her side day and night, as long as time allowed.

Q. I would like to know the height of each character, at least roughly. (Me: I am in love with whoever asked this question. Marry me.)
A. Because they're otome game characters, both the villains and men are tall. (I added Harrison and changed Roderick's height later at my own convenience.) Currently
Tiara ⇨ 161 cm
Pryde ⇨ 175 cm
Eric ⇨ 177 cm
Harrison ⇨ 178 cm
Stayle ⇨ 178 cm
Gilbert ⇨ 179 cm
Clark ⇨ 180 cm
Leon ⇨ 181 cm
Cedric ⇨ 183 cm
Arthur ⇨185 cm
Colm ⇨185.5 cm (Me: He's tall!?)
Alain ⇨ 186 cm
Val ⇨ 188 cm
Roderick ⇨ 196cm
☆ Because this is a rough estimate, I may make further slight adjustments in the future. Thank you for your understanding.

Q. I love the Knight Order, but all of the knights wear uniforms and armor, right? Do the knights wear different uniforms over their armor depending on the occasion, or does everyone wear the same uniform? Or do they wear the armor over the uniform...?
A. It is worn under the uniform.

However, the way it is worn will change depending on whether you wear it normally, on official occasions, or in combat.

Q. I want to know about Captain Alain's home and large family that was mentioned when Pryde and everyone went to visit Vice-Captain Eric's parents' house.
A. I plan to write about them in the future if the story goes that far. I would appreciate it if you could wait patiently. However, Alain is a very good older brother.

Q. Have you decided who will be attached to Pryde at the end? (Does she have a partner?)
A. Please excuse me. I can't give a definite answer because it would be a spoiler...

All of the content leading up to the end that I can write has already been decided.

Spoiler: Second Question Corner

Q. How long was Roderick's tenure as Knight Captain of the First Division? If possible, from what age until what age? (Me: All right, timeline! Looks like I'm rereading Part One tomorrow. I want Roderick's age!!)
A. Between the ages of 25 to 28 years old, so around three years. Due to various circumstances at that time, it was necessary to assume the position of Knight Commander early.

Q. I am curious about the height difference between Jeanne, Phillip and Jack and the Farnum brothers.
A. I received multiple questions about the height difference between the three and Jeanne, especially because Stayle was concerned about the height difference.
Jeanne ⇨ 162 cm (Me: Still taller than Tiara)
Phillip ⇨ 166 cm
Jack ⇨ 170 cm
Farnum Brothers ⇨ 163 cm

Q. In 274. The Blasphemous Princess is Surprised, during the conversation between Stayle and Tiara,

"The situation is serious now. If you say anything unreasonable like that, I will return you to the Freesia Kingdom right here."
"If you do that, I will tell all of Nii-sama's embarrassing secrets to Onee-sama and Arthur!!"

I can't help but wonder about Stayle's embarrassing secrets now. (Laugh)
A. There is an example in Part One, Episode 137.

Pryde doesn't know that Stayle was spoiled by his sleepy sister, and that he hugged her back for a while. When Pryde woke up, both her brother and sister were lying on either side of her, looking like they didn't know anything.

Arthur doesn't know that Stayle fell asleep on his sister's lap after the Annihilation War. (Me: I don't remember that part of the Sinner Arc, either.)

Also, in Part One, Episode 176, Stayle was more excited about Arthur's promotion to Vice-Captain than anyone else, but Stayle kept Tiara from saying that.

In addition, before the Guardian Knights were established, Stayle and Tiara had various conversations in front of Pryde's room every morning while they waited for Pryde to wake up and open the door.
The result is a younger sister who knows her older brother's embarrassing weaknesses.

Q. In 893 (Part Two, Episode 11) And Says Hello, why did Stayle and Captain Colm turn red at what Pryde said to Eric?
A. Because it sounded too much like a reverse proposal from Pryde to Eric.
Even though it wasn't addressed to them, Pryde's words and actions are too powerful, so the two of them became like that.

Q. Does the Freesia Kingdom have four seasons? Also, are there other countries like a snow kingdom or one that's perpetually summer?
A. There are four seasons. However, Freesia Kingdom's royal capitol has a stable temperature and climate throughout the year. It doesn't snow and it's not tropical. Thanks to that, the lower-class residents don't die even when they sleep outside.

The United Kingdom of Hanazuo gets heavy snow in the winter.

Q. Could you tell us the origin of your pen name Tenichi?
A. It's taken from a name a friend gave me.

Recently, I learned that there is a tempura restaurant with the same name. I want to go there to eat someday.

Q. Is there a reason why Alain became a training idiot? I get the feeling hobbies can be almost daunting... ...
A. Alain was born and raised in a rural area and had no knight relatives. To succeed in becoming a knight, the only thing he could do without special abilities was to train. Due to family circumstances, his physical ability and muscle strength were already extraordinary, so he made an effort to extend himself more and become a knight. Even now that he's a knight, Alain continues to make the effort to keep up with his training.

Q. I would like to know the general contents of the heroic tales of the Astral Knight and the Hundred Years Knight!
A. Astral Knight ⇨ A knight with a steel special ability who continued to play an active role as Knight Commander even after he lost one arm in war.

Hundred Years Knight ⇨ A knight who not only defended against invasion attempts from other countries, but brought a decisive end to the Hundred Year War all on his own.

Q. Who (or what) taught Stayle, Arthur and Val the meaning of the vow kisses?
A. Stayle was taught in class as part of his royal education, and Arthur learned from books as part of a knight's social knowledge.

In Val's case, his criminal background was human trafficking. He's seen organizations with people who work behind the scenes who enjoy leaving traces like that, forcing it on "merchandise" and people weaker than them. So the only vows that Val knows are ones with vicious connotations like that, such as obsession and subservience. He also knows desire.

The only vow he knows that's decent is the kiss to the back of the hand, or reverence, which is famous among the people.

Q. In the scholastic exam in Part Two, Episode 16 and 17, Arthur (Jack) said "I could barely answer it." Out of Arthur, Sefek and Kemet, are Sefek and Kemet superior academically?

Pryde is in first place with all the correct answers while taking the scholastic exam. Val refused to even write his name, so I think he's at the bottom, but what about the others who took the exam?

I would like to know the rankings of Jeanne, Phillip, Jack, Val, Sefek, Kemet, Amulet, Powell, Curi, Helen, Layla and Cedric (did he take the exam?). Thank you.
A. From top to bottom: Jeanne, Amulet, Phillip, Kemet, Sefek, Jack, Helen, Powell, Layla, Curi, and Val. Cedric didn't take the exam in the special classroom, but he would have had perfect results if he did take it.

Q. Regarding the Modern-day parody for Last Boss Queen, I would like to know if you have any detailed settings. For example, the age difference between Pryde-sama and the Guardian Knights in school ... I would like to know, if possible.
A. Below
3rd year middle school ⇨ Tiara
1st year high school ⇨ Stayle
2nd year high school ⇨ Pryde, Cedric
3rd year high school ⇨ Leon, Val, Arthur
2nd year university ⇨ Eric
3rd year university ⇨ Alain, Colm, Harrison
(Me: Hey, you forgot Sefek and Kemet!)

However, the social classes, knight classes, and normal classes are all different. I would be happy if I could write various things and let you know when it's released.

Q. I think Arthur was still a commoner when he was selected as a fiancé candidate, but were Alain and Eric added to the list?
A. They were not.

In Arthur's case, not only was he an excellent knight, but he was also "A close friend of Stayle, the future Regent," which was the reason he was an exception. He was included among the candidates with the assumption that Stayle would make up for where he fell short.

Q. Stella made her father, Chancellor Gilbert, her mother Marianne, and her maid Trixie, so upset that she cried, but what made them angry?
A. It all started when Stella saw people in the lower-class picking up and eating food that had been thrown out of a passing carriage ...

When Stella threw food out of the window while travelling by carriage, calling it "feeding," the three of them became so angry that she cried.

They lectured Stella so that she would never treat lower-class people like animals again. There are times that even children do things you can't laugh at.

Q. Is the current Pryde a fusion of her previous life and the Pryde from Kimihika before she remembered her previous life?
A. It's certainly closer to fusion than possession.

The Pryde from Kimihika just "remembered" rather than being mixed. Kimihika's Pryde's personality is the result of her thinking and ethics changing after she remembered her previous life.

Q. Does Val remember his parents' names?
A. His mother was named Aglaia, but he doesn't remember his father's name.

Q. What does Tiara do with the earrings she got from Cedric?
A. It is carefully stored in a small box in a drawer in her room. Tiara doesn't have the courage to wear it yet.

Q. What does the Freesia Kingdom's upper echelon do after their abdication?
A. Having lost all their power, they are living their lives freely.

They either live peaceful lives inside the castle walls, or live the rest of their lives hiding their identity both inside and outside the country. However, they do not have the power to interfere with politics at any point. The former Queen and Prince Consort have retired inside the castle, and were only evacuated during the Recapture Battle. (Me: Are you telling me that couple who had Rosa raised to be a people-serving robot still live in the castle!!!???)

Even after abdicating, there are funerals if there is news that they have died while living in the castle, and graves for those who have died.

Q. How far in advance have you thought about and planned the story and story settings?

Powell, for example, appeared a long time ago in Part One during the Annihilation War, but was it already decided by that time that he would appear in school in Part Two as a character from the third game?
A. I basically planned everything until the end. Powell was also decided to be a character from the third game. That's why his special ability was "light," and Pryde didn't even learn his name at that time.

There are still many other things that have not been revealed yet in the main story, but only exist as background settings.

Q. Will there be any episodes showing how Roderick and Clark, Roderick and Clarissa, Clark and his wife, or Alain and Colm meet? Or do you have plans to talk about it in the future?
A. Regarding encounters and familiarization episodes, most of these pairs have been decided since their first appearance. I won’t have the opportunity to write about it, but there are two people who are scheduled to be talked about in the main story in the future. (Me: Clark and his wife Olivia, check.)

I can't neglect the main story and write about the pair of them, but if I get a chance, I want to write about it. I also want to write about Gilbert and Albert and Rosa and Wes someday.

Q. I want to know profiles.
• Height and age of the knights, including Roderick and Clark
• How the knights spend their holidays
• What are the characters' favorite and least favorite foods
• Compared to the Knight Order, how strong are Pryde, Stayle and Tiara?
• About Colm's older brother: age difference, special abilities, appearance, etc
• Clark's wife's name
I would like you to answer.
(Me: I foresee me updating my character lists in the very near future.)
A. Regarding the age, I was worried that revealing it would cause disappointment, so I thought I would leave it alone until the final episode.

However, I have received a lot of inquiries this time, that some of the readers were troubled after studying the chronology, so I decided to disclose their age. There were also questions about the upper echelon, but this time we will disclose the age and other details of the knights that were asked by many.

Thank you for your understanding.

☆The world of Kimihika is a Japanese otome game, so it is based on the same fiscal year as in modern Japan.

The earliest birthday is April 2nd, and the latest birthday is April 1st.

☆Favorite foods will exclude the cuisine from Pryde's previous life, or a specific person's home cooking.

Due to it being an otome game world, there are many European dishes.

☆Age listed will be the age of the time of Pryde's 19th birthday celebration (June).

● Pryde (19)
▪︎Favorite Food ⇨ soufflé omelet, quiche, cake
▪︎Least Favorite Food ⇨ gray-looking food
▪︎Strength Compared to Knight Order ⇨ Knight Captain

● Tiara
▪︎Favorite Food ⇨ mille-feuille, macarons, scones
▪︎Least Favorite Food ⇨ spicy foods
▪︎Strength Compared to Knight Order ⇨ unable to join (however, speed and precision with throwing knives is superior to Harrison)

● Stayle
▪︎Favorite Food ⇨ duck confit, brioche, black tea
▪︎Least Favorite Food ⇨ fish dishes
▪︎Strength Compared to Knight Order ⇨ Knight Captain

● Arthur
▪︎Favorite Food ⇨ meat pie, turkey, ratatouille
▪︎Least Favorite Food ⇨ none
▪︎Spends Days Off ⇨ training matches (usually with Stayle), working in the field (Me: Called it.), helping out at the store

● Gilbert
▪︎Favorite Food ⇨ pot-au-feu, bouillabaisse, herbal tea
▪︎Least Favorite Food ⇨ none

● Val
▪︎Favorite Food ⇨ meat, liquor (especially the alcohol that Roderick and the other knights brought to celebrate Arthur's promotion to Captain. After that, it was unavailable.)
▪︎Least Favorite Food ⇨ none

● Leon
▪︎Favorite Food ⇨ braised veal shank, foie gras, terrine
▪︎Least Favorite Food ⇨ hot foods

● Cedric
▪︎Favorite Food ⇨ schweinebraten, tongue meuniere, scones
▪︎Least Favorite Food ⇨ poor freshness

● Colm (28)
▪︎Favorite Food ⇨ braised veal in red wine, wine, canelé
▪︎Least Favorite Food ⇨ bad alcohol
▪︎Spends Days Off ⇨ browsing bookstores, going to theaters, concerts, reading books
▪︎Older Brother: Vincent Bordeaux, 4 years older. He has auburn hair and eyes. He has no special ability.

● Eric (25)
▪︎Favorite Food ⇨ croque-monsieur, cassoulet, stollen
▪︎Least Favorite Food ⇨ unfamiliar foods
▪︎Spends Days Off ⇨ helping with household chores, training review, shooting practice where the knights can't see

● Alain (28)
▪︎Favorite Food ⇨ sake, roasted whole duck, roast chicken, roast beef
▪︎Least Favorite Food ⇨ none
▪︎Spends Days Off ⇨ bar drinking (with other knights or people he happens to meet at the bar for the first time), buying alcohol in bulk, training (Me: Are you an alcoholic!!)

● Harrison (28)
▪︎Favorite Food ⇨ easy-to-swallow foods, stew
▪︎Least Favorite Food ⇨ hard food, food that's hard to chew
▪︎Spends Days Off ⇨ training, sleeping, restocking throwing knives

● Clark (38)
▪︎Birthday ⇨ September 20
▪︎Favorite Food ⇨ cream stew, galette, apple pie
▪︎Least Favorite Food ⇨ none
▪︎Spends Days Off ⇨ shopping and eating out with his wife, taking his men out to dinner, visiting Roderick's family's small restaurant with his wife
▪︎Wife's Name: Olivia

● Roderick (40)
▪︎Birthday ⇨ November 11
▪︎Favorite Food ⇨ braised beer steak, liquor, ratatouille
▪︎Least Favorite Food ⇨ sweets
▪︎Spends Days Off ⇨ staying home with his wife, shopping for ingredients and other necessities, training matches with Arthur if their schedules match up

Spoiler: Third Question Corner

Q. Other than Pryde and Leon, do any other characters have a voice image?
A. For some reason, Cedric's voice sounds like Midorikawa Hikaru-san.

Q. What is the age difference between Roderick and Clarissa? How did Roderick and Clarissa meet? (Who approached who?)
A. They're three years apart. Before Roderick joined the main unit, he proposed to Clarissa before she was stolen by another man.

Q. Are there baths in this world? If so, what does it look like? Does the Royal Family have private baths and the Knight Order have big public baths, or do they bathe separately? I am also curious about the bath situation of the nobility and common people, and how the bath is prepared (is it drawn from a well or is the water supplied by a special ability person, do they boil the water or is there a person who heats water with their special ability...) I'm curious.
A. I received multiple questions about this. Thank you very much.

The concept of baths do exist. However, tap water and baths are not popular among the general public.

The Royal Family have private bathing rooms.

In addition, there is one large public bath in the castle. However, it is open irregularly, not every day. It is only open for three days before and after ceremonial days, and during that time anyone in the castle can use it, regardless of their status. Nobility and the upper echelon do not use the public bath, so it is actually a facility for the servants. The knights also use it.

Conversely, royalty and aristocrats never bathe in shared rooms.

In general, both commoners and knights bathe.

The rich mansions of the nobility and upper class have bathing facilities where they can bathe, but since there is no custom to bathe in hot water, heated water in baths is not common.

Although the Freesia Kingdom does not face the sea, it has abundant water sources and numerous wells. (Me: Then why haven't you mentioned a single water source in Freesia for more than 1000 chapters!?) In addition to the numerous waterways, there are numerous wells in the castle and several in the knight's training grounds, so basically they wash in the sink.

Even in the Knight Order, there are knights who use the public bath every time it is open, and there are knights who never use it because it's troublesome to get ready and leave the training grounds just to soak in the hot water. Harrison was only taken to the public bath by Clark once. It was the middle of winter, and Harrison slept without drying his hair or lighting the fireplace in his room, so he caught a cold after that and was sent to the relief ward.

The United Kingdom of Hanazuo has a bathing culture to the extent that there are even public baths, so Cedric and his brother often went to the large public bath in the castle. Once Lance became King, Joan joined them as well, and the three of them got along numerous times.

Q. Is Kemet's birthday the same day as Sefek's? Or is it the next day?
A. It's the same day, October 27th. For Kemet, he met Val on the same day Sefek talked to Val, so they gave them matching birthdays at Kemet's request. It was an important day for Kemet, too.

Q. If the main characters have any mottos, I would like to hear them.
A. Not everyone has one, but the main characters whom I would dare to say have a motto are:
Pryde ⇨ "Everything is for my people."
Stayle ⇨ "Everything as First Princess Pryde desires."
Arthur ⇨ "I have to save them when I know I can save them"
Gilbert ⇨ "My love is for my wife and daughter. My life is for the Royal Family. My life is for the people."
Leon ⇨ "My beloved Anemone Kingdom."
Eric ⇨ "The kind-hearted Guardian Knight."
Curi ⇨ "There is no one who should give up on the future."
☆Motto = Important words to always keep in mind while writing about them.

Q. If the country had fully recognized Arthur's special ability, who would have been adopted by the Royal Family, Arthur or Stayle? (If there was no age considerations.)
A. Overwhelmingly Arthur.

Q. I would like to know about the first love of the main characters! (If it is restricted to ten people, then Pryde, Tiara, Stayle, Arthur, Colm, Alain, Eric, Leon, Val, Cedric.)
A. Out of these ten people, the only ones I can talk about who aren't still in love with the other person are Colm and Eric.

When Colm was 10 years old, he met a woman who was his older brother's tutor at that time. She was a beautiful female teacher who acted as both a teacher and practice partner for dance and social gatherings. Since she was a woman more than 10 years older than him and had a lover, it ended as beautiful admiration. When Colm's older brother completed his education, she took a break from her job and got married.

Eric's first love was the young girl he used to play with when he was 7 years old. Eric didn't make any special approach, and she had someone else she liked, so they ended up just being close friends. She was a child whose atmosphere resembled Lotte more closely than Pryde. She is married with children now and lives a peaceful life. Eric is one of her best friends. Eric was also very pleased with her marriage and attended the wedding. He still has fond memories.

Because of his personality and position as a knight, Alain was often confessed to, both in his hometown and in the tavern in the castle town. Before he fell in love with Pryde, Alain wasn't interested in romance, so both in the past and now, he rejects everyone without hesitation. Now that he can say "There is someone I can't stop thinking about," it's easier for them to give up.

After Val gained a certain amount of money and status within the organization, he became familiar with the relationships between men and women and how things can progress, but he had no special feelings. People who fall in love with each other every time they do something like that are people he can't understand, both now and in the past. Pryde is the only person he's ever invited of his own accord, other than for the purpose of intimidation.

Q. How long did it take from when Tenichi-sensei came up with the idea for Last Boss Queen before you started serialization?
A. I think it was about a month.

Q. Regarding Captain Colm's encounter with books. Did he read books exclusively from the family library when he was a boy? Did Captain Colm ever encounter books from outside his home?
A. Yes, it's his home library. Colm especially liked stories about knights, but his parents wouldn't buy him anything related to knights, so his older brother would often buy them for him when he was out and about.

It was his good older brother who cared about him that created the foundation of who Colm is. (Me: I wonder how much longer it will be before we meet Vincent in the main story.)

Q. In the Second Question Corner, there was a story about the actress who was used as a reference for Pryde-sama's height (Me: It was Gwenyth Kate Paltrow), is there anyone else who was a reference for other characters?
A. Roderick is the tallest, because I based his height on Dwayne Johnson. He is very handsome and strong, and boasts not only a strong presence but a strong body.

Q. I thought that with Tiara establishing her position as the future Royal Sister, it must be quite difficult for domestic aristocrats to establish their position in the Freesia Kingdom compared to Cedric. How do the foreign royals and aristocrats aiming for the position of Pryde and Tiara's fiancé candidates perceive their chances?
A. Judging from the Royal Consorts so far, it is necessary to have made achievements known to the Royal Family. When Tiara was announced to be the future Royal Sister, a number of heirs to the throne of other countries lamented that it was no longer possible to marry Tiara.

However, there is currently no man who has more achievements than the younger brother of the International Postal Organization, nor has anyone made a more impressive approach to the future Royal Sister.

Q. How many uniforms are there in the Knight Order? (Is there a neck decoration, or a color rule depending on which Knight Division you belong to?)
A. There is no color coding for different Divisions, but the recruits, knights, Vice-Captains, Knight Captains, Vice-Commander and Knight Commander all have slightly different patterns for their belt and clothes, as well as some decoration that is not on the neck. It was Suzunosuke-sensei who thought about this specific fine design. Please try to find all of the differences.

By the way, not only the uniform but also the coats are different based on rank. Hats off to Suzunosuke-sensei for his detailed design considerations.

Q. In Part One Episode 685 The Discarded Princess Accepts, it's mentioned that the decorative iron flower bookmark that Arthur gave to Pryde does not actually exist. If you were to think about the flower language of that flower, what do you think the meaning would be?
A. If Arthur understood flower language and sent it, I think he would have chosen "Resonance" and "I Found You."

Q. It's a hypothetical question, but if they were unable to stop Pryde's determination during the Recapture Battle, and like Adam said, "In the worst case, her corpse can be taken before the funeral," will those who yearn for Pryde be able to keep their sanity when things go wrong? If Adam does it, what will happen? (Me: Unsure if Adam actually said this line, or if it's part of the hypothetical.)
A. Stayle will work desperately to get her corpse back. Arthur will assist Stayle, but his focus is more on supporting Stayle to keep him sane than recovering Pryde's corpse. Val doesn't care about corpses, but he quit his job as delivery person to accompany Stayle and Arthur.

Therefore, it is these three people who cause serious situations. However, being sane and inactive does not mean that other people aren't madly resentful that Pryde's corpse was stolen from them. Even if they wanted to move to retrieve her corpse as much as or more than the other three, they chose to uphold the way of life that she left behind.

Q. Personally, I imagine that Pryde is good at singing, but does she actually sing? Also, if any of the main characters sing well, let me know.
A. Pryde sometimes hums songs from anime or popular songs that she liked during her previous life, thinking that she shouldn't play with lyrics. Instead of a lullabye, there were several times when Pryde secretly listened to Tiara sing. She has also heard Stayle, Lotte and Marie sing.

All of the main characters have above average voices, but they don't get many chances to sing. If it's singing, Val is the best.

I would like to write a karaoke party Modern Princess story. I was planning to write a thank-you story for the reprint, but I will write it on another occasion.

Q. The title is written in katakana as "ショウシツ" (shoushitsu) and "キョウダイ" (kyodai), but what does it mean?
A. Lyre's "burning" and memory "disappearance."

Kyodai was not "siblings" but "brothers."

Q. Last Boss Queen has so many charming characters, but what kind of things does Tenichi-sensei pay attention to when writing different things?
A. I'm relieved to hear you say that. Thank you very much. I pay attention to the values of each character.

Q. I wonder what the people in the castle town thought when Val, Sefek and Kemet came to Anemone.
A. "He looks brutal, but he's Prince Leon's first male friend, and he's Princess Pryde's courier, so try not to be rude."

"You have such a scary face, but you're Leon-sama's friend."

"You look like you're about to kill someone, but you're just going home after drinking, right?"

"Those two kids are cute."

Because he's a delivery person and Leon introduced Val as his friend from the start, they weren't wary about him except for his face.

Overall, he is thought to be a drunkard with a scary face.

Regarding Sefek and Kemet, it is up to each person's imagination whether they are "the courier's children" or "siblings not related by blood."

Q. What is the difference between the Royal Capitol and the castle town? (It doesn't seem like the castle town is spreading inside the Royal Capitol.)
A. The city surrounding where the castle is located is called the castle town. It is the most prosperous area inside the Freesia Kingdom. Within the castle town, the part of the city closest to the castle is called the Royal Capitol. It is an area where the wealthy and high-ranking aristocrats live and shop.

In the case of the Freesia Kingdom, the castle town is near the border between their country and their neighbors, so it is easy to trade with the outside world. The boundary is the national wall and the national gate.

There are multiple national gates in each direction, but this was the one that Alain and the other knights protected during the Recapture Battle.

Q. Episode 383. The Regent Dreams, "I made an irrevocable mistake, in my name." Wes said, but what does Wes consider to be an "irrevocable mistake?"
A. It's a mistake in the sense that they raised Pryde wrongly. After Albert and Rosa passed away, Wes always regretted that he should have been able to raise Pryde properly as a princess.

Although Wes regretted that he could not correct Pryde, even after being imprisoned, he continued to resist Pryde until the end. Before he was restrained with shackles to nullify his special ability, Wes erased his memories of his wife and children from his head so that they would not become his weakness. Therefore Pryde was unable to threaten Wes satisfactorily.

Q. Does Wes' wife interact with Rosa outside of official occasions?
A. They do. They get along well, they are not as close as Rosa and Marianne. Pryde, Stayle and Tiara have met her many times.

Q. Does the original (game) Pryde and our Pryde, who has memories of her previous life, have different tastes in men?
A. It's different. It's much different from her favorite appearance.

Q. If the characters arm wrestled, what would be the ranking?
If possible, I wish you could tell me the ranking of the men, women and children.
A. If it's a match of pure physical strength, without any techniques, tricks, or special abilities

For the men
1 Roderick (Me: Favoritism much? lol)
2 Alain
3 Arthur
4 Harrison
5 Eric
6 Colm
7 Stayle
8 Gilbert
9 Val
10 Cedric
11 Leon

For the women (actual age) and children
1 Marie
2 Lotte
3 Dios
4 Curi
5 Pryde
6 Tiara (Me: NOPE! No way, Tiara is definitely stronger than Pryde, she wins, the author is wrong here, I will not concede.)
7 Sefek
8 Nate
9 Amulet
10 Helen
11 Kemet

Q. It seems that Pryde has only been wearing red dresses so far, does she not wear other colors?
A. She does. However, there are many times where a crimson dress is prepared because it matches Pryde's image, and Pryde often wears it because it's a color she likes and it "suits" her.

Q. Alain and Colm were executed as criminals in Kimihika. Is there a grave for them?
A. There is. After they were exposed, their bodies were left unattended, so the knights were able to secure them. Colm's body was delivered to his family, but because Alain's hometown was far away, he has two graves. There is no body in his hometown grave. The knights who admired Alain buried his body in a place with a good view of the castle town.

Q. Please tell us the birthdays of the characters appearing in Part Two (Farnum siblings, Nate, Gilchrist siblings, Norman, etc)
A. Helen ⇨ June 21. Helen was named for the most beautiful star on the day her parents married.
Dios and Curi ⇨ September 21. It was a beautiful starry night.
Nate ⇨ January 17
Keith ⇨ October 16
Robert ⇨ February 18
Ray ⇨ March 3
Lyre ⇨ April 1 (Me: Of course the liar was born on April Fools Day.)
Norman ⇨ February 2
Amulet ⇨ April 25
Powell ⇨ July 3
(Me: Why aren't you including Amulet's older brother? And Layla?)

Q. What is the date of the bill council, and when does the Knight Order accept recruits?
A. The Bill Council is held in April, and the entrance exam for the Knight Order is held in December.

Q. Adam's birthday (the day Adam took over)
A. It's April 9

Q. Do plays and operas exist in the Freesia Kingdom? If so, how popular are they?
A. They're popular in the castle town. Although there are small theater companies outside of the castle town, the main theaters and operas are inside the city.

Q. If Pryde is 175 cm tall, wearing heels would have her exceed the height of those in the 170 cm range (Stayle or Eric), but does she wear heels? Will she be physically looking down at men on a regular basis?
A. The Final Boss Queen Pryde liked to wear high-heeled shoes.

The current Pryde is secretly concerned about being tall like the Last Boss even as a woman, so as soon as she noticed that she was taller than men her age at parties, she started to wear extremely low heels or no heels.

Q. Does heredity have any influence on the manifestation of special abilities? Or is precognition special, and heredity is completely irrelevant for other special abilities?
A. Heredity is irrelevant outside of precognition.

That's why the Royal Family's predictive special ability is special. However, even now in the Freesia Kingdom, there is a belief that excellent special abilities are hereditary among the aristocracy. (Me: Note that only the "excellent" part is supposedly hereditary, not the type of special ability. This belief is also why Ray's paternity is put in question.)

Q. Have you created original characters?
A. Yes. Since this is a Japanese otome game with a medieval European setting, English and European words are sometimes used, but the characters are all original.

Q. Have you set up names for Stayle's exclusive maids? What kind of people are they?
A. Alma and Janice. Both of them are veteran maids who are older than Tiara's exclusive maid, Chelsea.

Q. I would like to know the types of alcohol that the main characters, including the Imperial Guards, like.
A. I have received multiple questions about this.

In the world of Kimihika, there are many alcoholic drinks that don't exist in the real world. I don't know if it's okay to put the actual product or brand name, so I wrote this alcohol, cocktail, etc type from real life. In Kimihika's world, they have different names, but everything else is the same.

They might not drink it often, but it's their favorite liquor.
☆I have different taste in alcohol than the people in Kimihika.

(Me: Note that I do not drink alcohol, and knowing nothing about alcohol, the following list is straight MTL.)

Pryde ⇨ Cosmopolitan, Red Wine (Flavored)
Stayle ⇨ Whiskey (Scotch), Whisper
Tiara ⇨ Zoom Cocktail, Cassis Orange
Arthur ⇨ Whiskey (Scotch)
Val ⇨ Beer (Lager), Rum (Heavy), Vodka (Regular)
Leon ⇨ Wine (Fortified)
Cedric ⇨ Brandy (German)
Alan ⇨ Beer (Ale), Tequila (Gold)
Colm ⇨ Red Wine (Steel)
Eric ⇨ Whiskey (Irish)
Harrison ⇨ Vodka (Regular)

And that's it! Wasn't that interesting? I will go update my character lists to include height, age and birthdays for those characters who don't already have all that information written down.

Let me know what you think after reading these. I really enjoyed translating this.

 

BIG NEWS, PEOPLE!!!

Did you hear? Heretical Last Boss is getting an anime! It's airing summer of 2023. Just a few more months and I can watch the story play out outside of my imagination. I wonder who the voice actors are going to be! Who's going to voice Val? Please be amazing!

Please, let this anime blow up and be huge. It would be nice if it makes it to the US, but I'm really hoping to get more interest in this thread.

Anyway, here's the tweet. And the PV.

EDIT: I have edited my character lists to show the voice actors who have been announced. (Got a little optimistic and added voice actor to the profiles of all the characters who appeared in Part One. Here's hoping.)

The voice actors announced so far who will be associated with the anime are: Ai Fairouz (voicing Pryde), Maaya Uchida (voicing Stayle), and Haruka Tomatsu (voicing Tiara).

Link to the anime's official website

 

Well, I called it. There goes Pryde's cover. And Stayle's. Maybe Arthur's, too.

Yeah, so the entire Knight Order, Powell, and Norman's little brother Brad all know who Jeanne, Phillip and Jack are now.

39 Black Sheep Arc (chapters 391-431.1)

Spoiler

The village is burning by the time they are close enough to see it, and Powell goes missing. Stayle returns to the palace to summon the Knight Order for reinforcements while Pryde and Arthur rush into the village to rescue Brad (the last capture target of the second game). The Knight Order arrives to apprehend the human traffickers targeting the villagers, but the operation is at a standstill when Powell's lightning special ability goes out of control, threatening everyone. Pryde calms Powell down, and the knights relocate all civilians (including Powell and Brad's family) to a safe location. Val evacuates Gracile to the castle, where she stands trial for aiding and abetting human trafficking, and is sentenced to imprisonment. At school the next day, Nate delivers a set of stealth goggles to Pryde. Dios and Curi invite Nell to rent a room in their house, and are thrilled that her connection with the knights will keep Lyre and Ray from going too far. Ray asks Pryde to introduce him to someone, and she uses the request to leverage his good behavior in the future. Arthur asks Norman for permission to visit Brad, who is now staying in an inn in the castle town.

Poor Brad. He has a really sad special ability. It's called Diffusion. He can spread his injuries to others. It doesn't even have to be people, he can also spread them to his surroundings. He also isn't able to control it yet.

As for Gracile...looks like her entire redemption arc, should there be one, will hinge on Kemet.

 

@DarkeAOU I apologize if I am asking something that has been answered. (But I admit to being a bit tired so in going through the 13 pages I may have missed it) But I was curious what chapters the Brainwash Arc takes place in ? As well as what ends it ?

Also as a random note isn't Tiara kind of a Hero herself in the sense that she had her sister k*** herself thus hopefully to heal her and thus we have current Pryde ?

--

Also it really does seem if (First?) Original ? Timeline Pryde was genuinely raised better there would have been no need for well the story I guess lmao xD. But just from everything i've read here and what ive found in the bit of the novel I can read, that really does seem the case. Not saying shed be perfect; but not some evil person who destroys her own kingdom etc.

 

It's easy enough to find where the brainwash arc starts--I marked the three story arcs containing it in my Master List. The brainwash arc starts in the Happy Ending Arc and ends with the Rebellion Arc, so the brainwash arc runs from chapters 408-580.

And I think you're operating under a misconception if you think that Tiara would ever hurt her sister. Someone requested a while back that I translate the climax of the Rebellion Arc--I'll get started on that now. But I'll give you a brief summary here:

Spoiler: Been a minute since I last read this part sorry

Pryde and Adam lure the "surviving" capture targets (Stayle and Cedric) to the location of the final battle, where Stayle fights Adam in an attempt to get him to agree to release Pryde from brainwashing (Adam refuses). Adam is completely outclassed, but the ability-sealing manacles means that Stayle is no match for Pryde, and he gets shot. Around this point, Cedric and Tiara show up, Pryde tries to get Cedric to kill her (Cedric refuses), and Pryde has a meltdown and tries to kill people--at which point Arthur shows up, miraculously recovered from his career-ending injuries. Arthur fights Pryde to a standstill and nearly captures her, but Adam sets off the bombs in the tower and Pryde and Arthur are blasted off the roof. Harrison shows up just in time to unlock Stayle's manacles, and Stayle teleports over to save Pryde and Arthur from the fall.

Arthur restrains Pryde, the knights come over to help tie her up--and Tiara interferes because this is where Pryde died in her vision. Tiara threatens the knights to stay away and tries to talk Pryde into giving up, explaining that Pryde dying isn't anyone's happy ending, and activates her special ability to show Pryde what her death would do to the people who love her. This is enough to break Pryde's brainwashing, and Pryde is immediately full of guilt and tries to commit suicide anyway with one of Tiara's throwing knives--only to be stopped at the last second by Alain and Colm. Alain agrees to let Pryde kill herself if she pierces his sword hand when she does it, and Pryde can't do it. She gives up, and it's over: they got Pryde back.

Note that Arthur held back the entire time during his fight with Pryde: the goal was to restrain her, not hurt her. The tower hurt her more than anyone else. Pryde had a few scrapes and bruises after this, but she was all healed up within a week.

And regarding that old argument about Pryde's parenting...a strict upbringing cannot fix sociopathy. 'Pryde' had no empathy: this cannot be "fixed." This topic came up in the Q&A with the author (which I have already translated), and this is what Tenichi-sensei had to say upon the subject:

I'm always glad to see that people are still interested in this webnovel. Are you planning to watch The Heretical Last Boss anime this July?

 

Thank you very much for the detailed reply!

Just to clarify I never considered Tiara evil or that she would ever want to harm Pryde ; it was something I read about the First Timeline where everything went bad and she was forced to pick someone to kill Pryde and thus it would heal them. I read she picked Pryde to do it so should could heal herself and thats how we reached this timeline - I dont know if thats accurate at all but just wanted to clarify.
---
I am most certainly planning to give the anime a try yes ^-^

 

Happy Anniversary!

You might not be aware of this, but yesterday (April 19th) was the 5-year anniversary of Heretical Last Boss. Five years ago, Tenichi-sensei started writing this series. How time flies!

I also have another announcement: the Heretical Last Boss manga will be resuming serialization! Tenichi-sensei announced this on her Twitter March 26th, but I was holding off on posting about it until the end of the Tribute Arc. Unfortunately, like most of the middle school arc, this one is taking forever to finish. It reads like filler too, so why is it taking so long?

Tenichi-sensei has not told us yet when the manga will resume, but we have been told that there will be a new artist. Akiko Kawano will be taking over for Bunko-sensei. I'm looking forward to it ~

Link to Twitter announcement here.

 

So, the Tribute Arc reads like filler (at least at first). That's fine. Let's keep it short and sweet, please; this middle school arc has lasted long enough already!

Or so I said, but for all you Stayle fangirls, those people who were cheering for your boy from the first day...something Actually Momentous happened, something you people have been waiting for for a very long time...

Stayle finally gets to meet his mother in chapter II454. Which means that, yes, I was able to update his character bio to share his mother's name. Look, I am a simple person; I made this list, and now I feel compelled to expand upon it with real information.

40 Tribute Arc (chapters 432-467.2)

Spoiler

On the last day of their inspection, Pryde informs the teacher that it's their last day of school. Pryde also informs Amulet, Dios and Curi during break, and Helen, Powell and Nate over lunch. Stayle and Arthur find love letters addressed to them in their classroom (Stayle gets a lot of letters condemning his feelings for Pryde, since he lied to his classmates that he's dating someone else). After saying goodbye to their classmates, Pryde surprises Stayle by taking him to the girl's dormitory to meet his birth mother for the first time in ten years. Nate gives Colm a bag of his inventions as a farewell present, and Colm promises to visit during his days off. Pryde, Stayle and Arthur (and later Alain) stop by Eric's house for the last time to thank his family for hosting them. Val, Sefek and Kemet visit Leon to celebrate the end of Pryde's inspection. Stayle joins the knights in sharing a celebratory drink in Alain's room before he and Arthur sneak out secretly to cure Eric's grandparents.

The next story arc will be called the Bonding Arc. Probably gonna be more filler, honestly, since Pryde's arc title hasn't changed.

Anyway, there's been an update on the anime: the voice actors for Rosa, Albert, Gilbert and Arthur have been announced!

Rosa will be voiced by Kikuko Inoue.

Albert will be voiced by Toshiyuki Morikawa.

Gilbert will be voiced by Koji Yusa.

Arthur will be voiced by Junya Enoki.

The character list has been updated to reflect this. Now, the real question is: whose voice actor do you think will be revealed next, Wes or Roderick's? (I'm just praying that Val's VA is great; he's canonically the character with the best voice, so my expectations are huge.)

You can read the announcement on the Official Animation Website. In fact, I highly encourage you to go to the official site, because they have also dropped the first PV for the anime.

And more good news: the manga will be resuming on June 30th. Just in time for the anime!

 

Next round of voice actors announced for the anime! And it's the knights! (Who's surprised? Not me.) We've got some familiar names here, too.

Knight Commander Roderick will be voiced by Hiroki Yasumoto.

Vice-Commander Clark will be voiced by Toshihiko Seki.

Captain Alain will be voiced by Hiro Shimono.

Vice-Captain Eric will be voiced by Takuma Nagatsuka.

Captain Colm will be voiced by Daisuke Ono.

I wonder how much longer I have to wait for Val to be announced? I know I'm not the only one impatient to see him. He ranked too high in the character popularity poll for that. (So you know, Pryde was 1st place, Arthur was 2nd place, Val was 3rd place, Colm was 4th place and Stayle was in 5th place.)

Back to anime news, the opening and ending themes have also been decided.

The opening theme is called "Kyuuseishu (救世主)" (translation: Savior) and will be sung by Tsukuyomi.

The ending theme is called "PRIDE" and will be sung by ChoQMay.

Are you looking forward to July? I know I am.

 

So Amazon must have lost my email, because that's the only reason I can think of that I didn't buy volume four of the novel until just now. It was literally released February 2nd. I could have been reading this on my birthday. I spent that entire week in the hospital; decent reading material would have been nice.

As per last time, I will give my impressions as I read. The following review will be train of thought, and as such will include both gushing and ranting and raving. Given the previous three novels, there will likely be more ranting than the other two.

Spoiler: The Heartless Princess and the Alliance Negotiations

One thing that never gets mentioned in the webnovel: If Arthur ranks in the top five knights in the Order at 19 years old, who are the others? Roderick and Clark, of course, and probably Colm...maybe Harrison, too?

Sigh, I really wish that the translators/editors would mark POV changes. It's so awkward without chapter titles labelling it.

Are you kidding me!? They didn't correct their misspelling of Cercis; they're letting it ride. If you're going to leave Hanazuo as Hanazuo, spell Cersis and Chinensis correctly!! It's not hard!

Huh, did I forget Pryde and Stayle training together in this arc? I really don't remember it. I can't have forgotten this, but why would the author decide to add a scene to such a long arc?

Oh, this is new, too. I don't remember Pryde having a shipping preference for Tiara at this point in the novel; I thought she didn't mind who Tiara chose, so long as she was happy. But Pryde is pushing Stayle, Arthur and Leon over Cedric here.

This is reminding me of how annoying Cedric was the first time I read this arc. He's nowhere near as bad as Ray, but Cedric really needs to grow up. Oh. They illustrated Cedric's attempted kiss. He's really pretty, but I stand by what I said months ago: Cedric looks more like how I pictured Lance. Ah, now I want to see a three-shot of Cedric, Lance and Joan.

Oh, they spelled Copelandii Kingdom correctly. I'm pleased.

I know I'm supposed to be reviewing this novel, but this is just making me look forward to Val's revenge on Cedric. Grudges over food are real.

And more art: Arthur separating Pryde and Cedric during their fight in the garden. Hm, kind of lackluster. It's not showing off any interesting plot points. You can't even see Tiara's knives in the tree behind Pryde.

Ah, I love it! At least they kept Val's appearance in this arc (we're gossiping about how terrible Cedric is), even if they erased the scene where Pryde ordered ingredients through Leon. Well, that would've been a huge mood shift.

Hey, they spelled Alata and Rafflesiana correctly, too! Now why couldn't they do that for Cersis? Just waiting to see if they're going to correct their misspelling of the Rajah Empire now...hey, they fixed it! All right!! I'm so proud of them. I wonder if this means that they read my review of volume three...?

Hey, we get a good illustration this time of Cedric begging for that alliance. It shows the entire royal family, plus Gilbert, Arthur and Eric. I wonder why Pryde looks so surprised, you'd think she'd look smug or relieved that this idiot finally opened his mouth.

And we get an illustration of Leon and Pryde cementing their alliance. Sigh, I really hate Leon's character design. He's so...his clothes aren't distinctive enough, his hairstyle is the same, how are we supposed to tell him and Stayle apart? The artist is good, but the character design is just lazy.

Oh, I see. So "Ackroyd, Beaglee, Nepenthes, and Corkhone" were names. I feel much more relieved now; I remember that I spent months trying to find a better translation for Beaglee and Corkhone. Tenichi-sensei put them under potential alliances, so I thought they were countries. What a relief.

Eh? Out of everything to change, Joan becomes Yohan, but you're leaving Linne as is?? Linne Dwight is seriously terrible, I half hoped that it would change, but they're keeping it and changing Joan instead. Why. And another thing. This translator, if you're not going to use aniki and nii-sama, and insist on "Big Brother" and "Bro"...then attach them to the appropriate brother. Bro sounds ridiculous for Joan. Joan's the sensitive, refined big brother figure, and Lance is the cool, energetic older brother.

Spoiler: The Wicked Princess and the Second-Born Prince

And now that the alliance is all but agreed on and Pryde's getting her people ready for war, we've entered the Cedric flashback zone.

Looks like Stayle's not-quite culture shock in Cersis got filed down; it's barely mentioned here.

Hey, new Val scene! I'm loving it. Did they add it so we have fewer flashbacks in the War Arc? It's relatively short, only a couple pages, and ends just before Stayle recruits Val, Sefek and Kemet to guard Gilbert's house and family. Because of the cliffhanger later, probably. I wonder where they are here, it's not named...

Another illustration, of Pryde and Stayle bringing Arthur to heal Lance. (Wow, this book has loads of pictures!) Huh, so that's supposed to be Lance? Not at all how I pictured him. I know he's supposed to be thin and sickly here, but...he looks funny. Probably just the angle. Hopefully it's just the angle. Stayle's the only one who actually looks good in this picture, honestly.

Have I mentioned that I love Lance? I have a real soft spot for big brother types who are willing to punch their idiotic younger brothers. Cedric deserves it, too, yes he does.

Eh? We get an illustration of Gilbert taking out Copelandii saboteurs? It's... certainly a choice. Honestly, though, I thought we'd get an image of Pryde and Stayle's hug, not this. But the illustrator has picked out some odd moments to draw...

Spoiler: The Wicked Princess and the United Hanazuo Kingdom

And the next illustration is just Pryde addressing the Chinensis citizens. Sigh, I was hoping for Joan art. They're literally standing right next to each other, you'd think Joan would be in the picture, too, but no. Just Pryde yelling.

Spoiler: Extra: Late Night at the Campsite

This extra takes place over the trip from Freesia to Hanazuo, specifically, their first night (it's a three-day journey). Pryde telling an anxious Tiara a bedtime story so she can sleep in an unfamiliar place. And the bedtime story is Cinderella. Why. Well, apparently it's a story that doesn't already exist in this world.

Cute. Naturally, Tiara has to ask what kind of princes Stayle, Arthur, Gilbert, Val, Leon or the guardian knights would be in this setting (ie, in Prince Charming's place). Stayle would immediately teleport to Cinderella's side. Arthur would just run down the carriage. Gilbert would do whatever it took to save Cinderella!Maria (even if there were many adventures involved).

Val's was funny: the cabinet minister would insist on holding a ball so the troublemaking Prince Val would find a wife, but even if Val fell in love right there, he'd never chase Cinderella if she ran away (saying it just wasn't meant to be). Instead, his subordinates would go look for her, and as soon as Val found out that Cinderella was actually a commoner...he'd renounce his title and run away with her.

Leon, of course, would just host hundreds of balls until he found Cinderella again. Though Pryde thinks Leon would confess even before Cinderella ran away, and changes her mind, saying that if Cinderella runs away, Leon would search for her. Alain naturally would catch Cinderella's hand before she could run away; even if her magic faded away, he'd tell her that he preferred her without the magic. Colm wouldn't actively search for her; he would disguise himself and search for Cinderella covertly. And Eric would be worried the entire time if Cinderella ran from him, wondering if he offended her, if she was safe, etc, and he'd probably cry when he found her again.

And there's an illustration (of course) depicting all the guys in their princely garb while Pryde and Tiara gossip in bed. Oddly enough, everyone is wearing dark colors but Val (though Eric has white sleeves). I thought I'd say it doesn't suit him, but the contrast is nice.

Oh, and Pryde thinks that Cedric would search for Cinderella, visiting all the ladies in the land because he'll recognize her with just one look (because of his photographic memory).

And naturally, since they're sleeping in tents, everyone gets to overhear the fairy tales and prince speculations.

Spoiler: Extra: As a Father and a Prime Minister

And in this extra, Stella has a cold. That's it. Gilbert says his daughter's sick, Arthur offers to go cure her, Gilbert turns him down saying that he has experience with sick people now and a cold is no problem, and then Gilbert leaves to buy flowers for his family on the way home. End short story.

And I ended up staying up all night to review this. I am tired now.

Anyway, as for official names:

Spoiler: Official Name Comparison

United Kingdom of Hanazuo > United Hanazuo Kingdom
Cersis Kingdom > Cercis Kingdom
Chinensis Kingdom > Chinensis Kingdom
Rajah Empire > Rajah Empire
Alata Kingdom > Alata Kingdom
Copelandii Kingdom > Copelandii Kingdom
Rafflesiana Kingdom > Rafflesiana Kingdom

Harrison Dirk > Harrison (surname unconfirmed)
Isidore Beaton > Isidore Beaton
King Lance Silva Lowell > King Lance Silva Lowell
Second Prince Cedric Silva Lowell > Second-Born Prince Cedric Silva Lowell
Chancellor Dario > Prime Minister Dario
Regent Fergus > Seneschal Fargus
King Joan Linne Dwight > King Yohan Linne Dwight
Regent Esmond > Seneschal Edmund

By the way, Isidore is the previous Captain (and later Vice-Captain) of the Eighth Division knights (he was Captain until Harrison joined the Eighth Division, and Arthur replaced him as Vice-Captain during the Alliance Negotiations Arc. And Dario and Fergus are Cersis citizens, and Esmond is from Chinensis, which is why I ordered them like this.

Good night, and I will post more updates in the future. This volume sure had loads of illustrations, didn't it? Shame Val only appeared in one of them. We got a lot of Cedric art, instead, and from his least attractive era.

I'll edit my master list to reflect this new information when I wake up.

 

@DarkeAOU are there any updates regarding the renewal of the manga adaptation? I really want more Pryde content since the manga stopped at a very not so satisfying part of the story. I feel like so much is missing, kinda like how the anime of Akatsuki no Yona turned out (they stopped at the part of the manga where the plot began to build up).