Life’s a funny thing. These are the words I found myself ruminating on the day I became an author, and it’s already been over five years since then. Here we finally are, at the big double-digit mark with volume ten of The Great Cleric. I really couldn’t have done it without everyone’s support. I wish I was better at expressing just how grateful I am, but I’m sure I haven’t been conveying it very well. Well, there’s always next year, so I only ask that you keep sticking with me through 2022 (as of this writing, it’s currently mid December 2021).
The last two years of Corona have really made me come to respect our medical workers, and it’s also made me extremely thankful to those of you who’ve survived the maelstrom of conflicting information and taken the necessary measures to reduce the spread. I can’t wait for the day to come when this virus is as mild as a case of the common cold, but until we develop nanomachines or something (unfortunately, we don’t get healing magic), I hope everyone keeps being safe and responsible.
Looking back on the past five years, I notice all the ways my work environment has changed: I had to buy a whole new computer when all this started, I upgraded to a standing desk just last year, and I switched from contacts to glasses. It sounds boring, but blame COVID for that. Ever since lockdown, I can count on one hand the amount of times I’ve gone out to eat every year, I’ve started having to get my books electronically, and I even ended up subscribing to a streaming service. Maybe I’m just weird, but even though I feel like I prefer manga electronically, I still need my novels in physical form. Is that just me?
Anyway, time’s really flown by the last couple of years. And I honestly don’t remember doing anything exciting throughout most of it, so I’m hoping to change that in 2022. Corona made shrine-going a little difficult this year, and it’s too early to say how things’ll look for upcoming New Year’s visits, but know that I’m praying for everyone’s health and happiness regardless.
Lastly, I need to thank the ever-wonderful sime for the fantastic illustrations despite my strange and unreasonable quirks, Hiiro Akikaze for the incredible work bringing The Great Cleric to life in the manga adaptation, and my editor Mister I for his much-appreciated (though often exasperated) assistance. Thank you for sticking with me.
Thank you to absolutely everyone involved in this publication (especially the proofreaders) and all the readers out there. I’m going to keep doing what I do to try and bring you enjoyable stories. Your support never goes unnoticed.