WEDDING WOES...Liam at last sets out to tie the knot with Rosetta--but the proxy war for the imperial throne could postpone their nuptials! Soon, more and more factors distract Count Banfield from his enemies' plots, allies' betrayals, and even a fearsome assassin. Will he overcome those curveballs and wed his patient bride-to-be? With Liam himself in danger, his betrothal is on even thinner ice...
This was pretty lackluster. The series feels stuck in a rut at this point. The formula has become painfully obvious: the Guide wants revenge and complains about his miserable fate, hatches a plan, uses his powers to set things in motion, watches it all backfire, shouts “I’ll get you next time,” and disappears into space.
Meanwhile, Liam stumbles into a perfect victory through dumb luck, misunderstandings, and help from his guardian dog. By the end, he has usually picked up a new companion for the ever growing almost-harem or an overpowered piece of equipment, often both. Rinse and repeat.
Even when something important happens, like actual character growth or a meaningful step forward in the larger plot, it gets rushed or glossed over so the book can return to describing battle scenes at length. This volume was supposed to deliver two major milestones: the long awaited wedding and Liam’s rise to Duke. Both are handled in half a chapter at most. Instead, more attention is given to Liam falling out with the new crown prince, which feels like a strange priority choice. I’m genuinely unsure if I’ll keep going. I don’t mind a formula, but when something special finally happens, it should feel special. Otherwise, what’s the point of continuity? At that stage, the series might as well commit to being an adventure of the week.
This volume is fine if you’re not tired of the formula yet. It’s just more of the same. Still, the series really should start thinking about wrapping things up. I can’t imagine there being more than one or two books of actual story left. A weak three stars for me, and maybe even a 2.5 if I’m being honest.
Somehow we all knew it would come to this when Mishima-sensei started hinting at Cleo's jealousy towards Liam. The royal line in power has a clear track record for petty underhandedness, with the newest contestant being the kind of shameless douchebag that would spend large sums of his only supporter's money then backstab that very support. I can't wait to see Cleo get owed.