Overlord 6: Men of the Kingdom Part 2 by Kugane Maruyama tells the story behind the fall of an evil organization known as the Eight Fingers that were established in the last book. This installment felt like a bunch of payoff to various things the other books had built up. It seems to be a lot more focused on having engaging battles than the other books, as at this point we know most of the characters' reasons for fighting (whether it be to protect someone, find something, or just for the heck of it). The novel tells a story that can get the reader invested in the characters’ journeys and get them feeling during life-changing moments for those characters.
Kugane Maruyama can tell a story in a way that can get the reader to share and understand the feelings of a character whenever they have a moment, whether it be joyful or filled with despair. There is one scene where Brain Unglaus, a mercenary swordsman established in the previous books, faces off against a vampire named Shalltear Bloodfallen. He had faced off against her previously in book 3, where she blocked his strongest attack with her pinkie’s fingernail and there wasn’t even a scratch. He was the only one to make it out alive and just barely, which scarred him so much he believed he could never pick up a sword again, until book 5, where he had gone on a journey to discover who he was and how he could keep living. Now he had to face her again in order to protect and buy time for those dear to him. Brain prepared his greatest techniques and even ones he’d copied from his former rival and focused all of his energy onto one point… [Shalltear blocked all four slashes and not a single blade reached her. She shrugged. She laughed under her mask to think that she had wasted time going along with this child's play–not at the warrior in front of her but at herself for being so foolish as to entertain it for even a minute. But the next moment her eyes widened slightly. If someone who could numerically compare the pair’s abilities were present, they would have given Brain thunderous applause. They would have applauded him with the shock and respect afforded to one who caused the sun to rise in the west. Yes, such was Brain’s miracle. “...Huh?” Shalltear was looking at the nail of her left pinkie finger–it was damaged. Part of it was missing–less than a third of an inch, but still] pg. 227. After that Brain was laughing with a huge smile on his face, and when she sarcastically stated “It seems you pass as a nail clipper,”, he gave his most genuine thanks. This moment gives the payoff to a multiple book long character arc, showing the reader that even what seems to be the most miniscule accomplishments can mean a lot to someone. These well thought out, well built characters help the Overlord books leave the reader very satisfied.
This volume provides a big point in many of the character’s lives that change how the characters look at the world and further the reader’s understanding of it. The people that like to take their time to understand the characters as people instead of how strong they are or how cool they look are the ones this book will be enjoyed by most. Overlord is a series that helped me get a better understanding of how people live and think in their own unique way, and how everything can change if you look at it from a different perspective.