Chapter 96

Afterword A southern island A slow, calm, and peaceful life, I want to enjoy— (a haiku) Here it is: Hollow Regalia, Volume 6. It’s been three years since the world was saved in the last volume. Yahiro and Iroha disappeared into the Ploutonion and obtained the power of the Ouroboros. The story here comes after that, but it is not an extra chapter nor an epilogue; it is a continuation. But since the world was free from danger for a while, I wanted Yahiro and Iroha to get some rest and peace in a happy paradise. My two ideas were a southern island and the mountains, and after much careful consideration, I chose the island. The reason being that the last volume took place in the mountains of Kyoto. Not because I wanted to write Iroha wearing a swimsuit. Please believe me. The theme for this volume was, simply, dragons and angels. I am not very well versed in religion, but the theme of battle between these two is common in paintings and the like, and I find it very interesting. It is only natural that the enemy would be an angel now that the protagonist has the power of a dragon. And I had already considered angels as the ultimate foes since I set this story to take place in the underworld. To tell the truth, this was sort of background lore, and I didn’t think I would really use it. But the series got to continue for longer than I expected, and so this side of the setting got to have its moment in the spotlight. I also got to write the lovey-dovey(?), slow lives of Yahiro and Iroha, and show her siblings all grown up, so personally, I’m quite satisfied. It was a good choice to keep the angel battle for later. Now for a little announcement: The second volume of the manga adaptation of Hollow Regalia by Ugatsu Matsuki is now on sale. The serialization in Dengeki Maoh is also reaching its climax. Iroha is so expressive in the manga, and she looks cute even when she’s being annoying. Please give the manga a look. All the chapters of my series Sword of the Stallion are available for free on the novel and manga site Dengeki Novecomi+. The second volume is on sale now, too. It is a fantasy set in another world with a flavor a bit different from Hollow Regalia. Please go check it out. Now then, as for Hollow Regalia, the story has reached a stopping point for the time being. Thank you for following it until now. I want to thank Miyuu for providing such delightful illustrations for this series. The designs for this volume, with Ellie and the grown-up versions of everyone else, were as wonderful as ever. I also want to thank everyone who was involved in the production and distribution of this book. And, of course, my biggest thanks to everyone who read this book. May we meet again somewhere. Gakuto Mikumo