Thank you for picking up volume 12 of The Mythical Hero’s Otherworld Chronicles. To my returning readers, it’s a pleasure to see you again.
Let me jump right in. Did you all see Hiro on the cover? I feel like he’s always showing up in profile, or masked, or cutting a handsome figure from behind, but when I first saw the roughs for this volume, I said to myself, “Wait... Hold on... He’s kinda hot!” It’s been a long time since I got a proper look at his face, so that was really refreshing for me. But we can’t forget Aura, can we? As always, she looks dignified but adorable, and what’s that in her hand but the Black Chronicle? This is only her second cover appearance since volume 2, but with both Mythical Hero and the Heisei era coming to an end, this feels like the right time for things to come full circle.
That’s right. You heard me. The next volume of Mythical Hero will be the last.
It’s been four years and a change of calendar since volume 1. I really can’t believe how much time has passed. Either time really does fly or my internal clock is running fast! How have the past four years treated you? Things haven’t changed much for me personally, but that’s just how I like it. The Heisei era may be ending, but that’s no reason to rush. It’s always best to take life at your pace.
Once you do have volume 13 in your hands, make sure to look back over all the covers. You might notice something interesting. Oh, and one more thing: This is a spoiler for the volume 13 afterword, but if you read back over the first half of the series, you may just find a secret hidden in the volume numbering.
But my line count is running out, so I’d better get to the thank-yous.
To Ruria Miyuki-sama, your incredible art empowers my chuuni soul from the moment I first see the roughs. It’s thanks to you that I can evolve to greet the new era as homo novus.
To my editor, I-sama, thank you for putting up with me for another volume. I know I put you through a lot, but I hope you’ll continue to lend me your assistance into the new calendar.
To everyone in the editing department, the proofreaders, the designers, and everyone else who helped to make this book a reality, thank you very much.
And last but not least, to you, my readers. Without your support, I never could have told this story. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
I’ll keep the chuuni rays on full blast for whatever comes after Heisei, so I hope you’ll continue to support me.
Until we meet again in the new year.
奉 (Tatematsuri)