After Elizabeth escapes from the Kingdom of Haldoria, she poses as Ellie Leis and settles nicely into the Lebrick Viscounty. The growth of her business inspires her to expand her powerbase to execute her revenge. She sets out for the imperial capital alongside her trusted confidant Mireille and new apprentice Lunoa, only to realize she’ll need more staff she can trust. As Traitre grows larger by the day, she must also secure a stable production base to source material. But what happens when the war threatens that very production base? Elizabeth may need to trade her quill for a blade sooner than expected...
Elizabeth now posing as Ellie Leis 'Alias' (Iseewhatudonethere) continues on to the Capital of her adopted Empire and starts sowing the seeds to expanding her own Merchant Trade Company. After she parts with a friendly homicidal Nun who will forever be known as Sister Double Tap in the memory of those Bandits, Ellie heads to the local slave shop. This also turns out to be the local Cat/Animal Girl distribution Centre because of course she picks up a Cat Girl as her latest asset. (why is it always cute animal girls?!?)
All seems to be going swimmingly until Ellie hits a bit of a problem. While she was busy buying up new buildings and seeking stable source materials for her business expansion, her Royal dumbass ex wanting an Ego Boost decided to start a war using one of the Kingdom's Vassal States to attack the Empire's territory.
This is bad news for everyone but especially sucks for Ellie because the invasion is also happening right smack dab in the middle of all her lovely freshly bought precious acquisitions. It seems even when she has left her unsavoury Prince far, far behind Ellie is still cleaning up his messes and soon finds herself forced to enter the fray to protect her investments.
I rather enjoyed this volume which introduces lots of interesting characters. Standouts include the Badass hired Mercenaries and the intimidating Duchess who dared Prince Asshat to FAFO when he threatened her. I get the impression she had a fractious relationship with Elizabeth in the Past. Maybe a frienemy?
I also liked the dark turn of some of the action scenes and how Ellie reveals just how much of a stone cold killer she really is behind that wholesome benevolent Nobel Lady facade she's Mastered.
Band 2 ist schon fast spannender als Band 1 und endet mit einem Cliffhanger, bei dem man unbedingt wissen will, wie es nun weitergeht und wie sich die Protagonistin nun weiter verhält.
Es ist schon sehr spannend die einzelnen Entwicklungen zu sehen und wie das Geschäft sich weiterentwickelt. Auch der Erfolg und die Intrigen innerhalb der Händler-Gilde kommen zum Vorschein. Doch mit allem scheint unsere unberechenbare Protagonistin zu rechnen. Sie trifft entsprechende Vorbereitungen und säbelt so unliebsame Konkurrenz ab.
Doch ein Krieg mit dem Nachbarland Sarjas scheint ihre Pläne und bisherigen Investitionen zu vereiteln. Doch Elisabeth wäre nicht die Heldin der Geschichte, wenn sie nicht bereit wäre, sich selbst die Hände schmutzig zu machen und so entscheidet sich sich, auf dem Schachbrett der Spielfiguren selbst einen aktiven Part einzunehmen.
Doch wird das ausreichen, damit sie ihre wahren Zielen erreichen kann?
Our lovely livid Lady gets well established in the capital just before her foolish former fiance decides to make a name for himself through war. The stage is set with preparing LLL to enter the fray of battle.