覇剣の皇姫アルティーナVII [Haken no Kouki Altina VII]

Altina the Sword Princess #7

by Yukiya Murasaki, むらさき ゆきや, himesuz (Illustrator)

皇帝崩御!?

提督代理を任されたレジスの指揮により、
ハイブリタニア軍から港町を奪還したアルティーナたち。
しかし、敵軍の補給部隊はすでに出発した後だった。
帝都を背負った要塞では第二皇子ラトレイユが、
策士オズワルドの奇略により苦戦を強いられている。
補給を届けさせるわけにはいかない……
しかし、敵補給部隊の護衛は傭兵王の異名を持つ猛者だった。
果たして、戦争の結末やいかに!?
覇剣の皇姫と読書狂の青年が織り成す覇道戦記ファンタジー第七弾!

Genres: Light Novel, Fantasy

253 pages, Paperback

First published October 30, 2014

About the author

See also むらさき ゆきや.

In April 1st 2009, received 1.st GA Bunko Encouragement Award for the work "I don't see any ghosts!" or "幽霊なんか見えない"

Reviews

[m · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this volume, we see the fourth army under Altina facing off against Gilbert, the Mercenary King, who is in charge of defending Belgaria's supply transport. Regis forces (or more, creates a nice place) Gilbert into an unfavourable area, and then conducts night raids to pin them there (although not without complications), while utilising the environment (an inland basin) to create heavy fog (by spreading water from a nearby lake everywhere). This removes the advantage the Belgarian guns have. The Mercenary King proves better than that and breaks into the camp, facing off against Altina— eventually, he loses, after a bout with Altina (without her greatsword), with Balthazaar, and then finally against Altina's new and improved greatsword. Not to mention, Balthazaar played a rather interesting role in transporting Altina's sword. Lionel, Enzo's apprentice, is quite fun to read about too. Hope he plays a bigger role in the future.

On Latrielle's side, he was fighting a defensive battle; I thought the descriptions of how he worked around his poor vision quite interesting, and made his interactions with Germain quite enjoyable to read. Although their initial charge proves successful, the shady tactics of Oswald (human detonation) collapses the gate of their fort and they suffer heavy casualties. But all is well, as news of Altina's triumph over the Mercenary King causes the retreat of Belgarian troops. Though, admitttably, it felt like he was somewhat lacking in this battle. Upon Latrielle's return to the empire, we see the true state of the Emperor: manipulation by Juhaprecia and incompetence due to his obsession with having a child with the true blood of the first emperor. And Latrielle goes off.

I found the tactics in this volume harder to read than usual, or at least compared to the previous volume, but I think that's due to my preference for naval battles.

There were quite a few quotes I enjoyed in this volume:

If given the option to drink poison today or tomorrow, he who chooses either option is not suited to rule. (...) There are no miracles in the real world. The metaphorical prince atop his white steed never comes,so the nation would be plunged into ruin. (...) The one who refuses to drink the poison entirely, is the least suited of them all, for he stays well away from the unfavorable and never looks hardship in the eye. He is an imbecile who does not even search for a resolution. Altina's answer was very Altina, I have to say.

Education does play an important role in one's perceptions, but hatred is an emotion. You could plant preconceived notions in a person's mind using academia, for example, but someone who has only ever experienced peace with the Empire wouldn't truly hate us from the depths of their heart.

[Gamal Esam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Regis is proving book after book that he's a thorn in the throat for every one and the move Latiral did is gonna cost him deeply.