It’s been a while, everyone. This is Akamitsu Awamura. Thank you very much for picking up volume 2 as well. If you had fun reading about Zen and the others’ little travel story, then that makes me happy!
Meanwhile, I myself seldom travel, but last year, I went with my friends Senri Akatsuki (author of Undefeated Bahamut Chronicle. It’s great!) and Riku Misora (author of Chivalry of a Failed Knight. It’s also great!) to Jozankei Onsen in Hokkaido.
We’d never seen that much snow at once before, so we planned six months in advance and went at the end of January hoping to see it. However, right before we went, the news said that Hokkaido was experiencing a mild winter. We were all complaining about our luck and how we’d have to just give up on seeing snow.
However, when we actually arrived there, there was so much snow that it looked like there were geographical layers. We didn’t have anything to worry about! When we talked about this everywhere we went, the Hokkaido residents went, “There’s no way we wouldn’t have snow,” and laughed at us.
In this society, we have information at our fingertips, but there are many times when you don’t really get it until you experience it for yourself. That’s one of the real pleasures of traveling.
And so(?), it’s now time for my special thank-you corner!
First, I thank my illustrator, Tapioca-sama, who vividly captured the group and fun atmosphere of Alona City. In particular, the imperial princess on the front cover looks so happy, it reinvigorated me to write about Elysia’s slow life while she’s released from the shackles of her position! Also, this has nothing to do with Alona City’s vibes, but I really laughed at how you drew Keel shaking his whole body so intensely to fling off all that muddy water. Thank you very much!
I thank my editor, Abe-sama, who once again supported me with all he had for this volume. And I also thank the editor in chief, Obara-sama, who supported Abe-sama. I’m incredibly sorry that my manuscript submission didn’t go smoothly, and in the end, you both gave me tremendous help and support throughout the process.
I thank my close friend of many years, Tsucchi. I realized I’ve been an author for over fifteen years now too. It’s thanks to you for supporting me since before my debut. Please continue to watch over me.
And, of course, I thank each and every one of my readers who picked up this work. I’m sending you all the utmost love from Hiroshima. Thank you very much!
I hope from the bottom of my heart that I can eventually present volume 3 to you all.