Altina the Sword Princess: Volume 7

Altina the Sword Princess #7

by Yukiya Murasaki, himesuz (Illustrator), Roy Nukia (Translator)

Under the command of Admiral Proxy Regis, the port town of Ciennbourg is liberated from High Britannian control. But while the enemy sea routes are now successfully severed, a supply unit armed with the latest guns and cannons is already headed toward the capital. Meanwhile, Second Prince Latrielle must hold his own against the schemes of adept strategist Oswald. As the last line of defense between Verseilles and the invading forces, a tremendous weight rests on his shoulders. The enemy supply unit cannot be allowed to reach its destination, but the man guarding it is a fearless veteran known as the Mercenary King. Will the war finally come to a close, or is something even worse on the horizon?

Here is the seventh volume of a tale of war, love, and politics, woven by the bookworm and the sword princess.

Genres: Light Novel, Fantasy

164 pages, Kindle Edition

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.