To my first-time readers: Nice to meet you! And to those of you who read the last volume, long time no see. I’m Ajigozen. It’s thanks to the support from all of you that I was able to get this second volume out, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
As those who read the previous volume and its afterword already know, there were some slightly strange circumstances behind this story’s production, making it veer from the typical book’s developments, but I managed to get to the ending. Thinking about everything that happened publishing-wise before, I’m thankful.
Ark and Nia’s story will continue, of course, but between Alphonse’s unparalleled mind for strategy and immense economic influence, plus Nia’s peerless saintess power now that she’s got devotees, I’m pretty sure it’d be a bit difficult to make into a book. I mean yeah, it might be interesting, but it’d probably also drift into another genre entirely. To do that when it’s already barely scraping by as a female-targeted work...
Volume 2, especially, was just me writing “my idea of the strongest hero ever,” so I’m a bit worried about how all of you will take it. He’s kind, serious, yet knows how to take a joke. He’s the strongest human ever, yet he’s still got a brain. Just judging from Ark’s specs, not only would he be a noble, but a perfect superhuman too. And he got to go crazy on the battlefield this time! I can only hope that you think that the earnest, clumsy part of himself that he shows to Nia is cute.
Speaking of things I’m thankful for, I’m really grateful to Yura Chujo-sensei for handling the cover and insert illustrations for this volume too. Olivia the third princess’s expression in the frontispiece got me especially good... How about you guys? And the cover! I don’t think we could’ve gotten a cover more suited for the finale of this series anywhere else! I’m really so lucky to have gotten Yura Chujo-sensei to draw it.
If you all consider this story’s ending as its grand finale and enjoyed it, then I couldn’t wish for anything more. And if it’s at all possible, I hope we meet again somewhere, someday. I pray from the bottom of my heart that you pick up another book of mine.