Afterword
I’m thrilled to see Volume 2 in print.
When I was first invited to publish Volume 1, I thought maybe I was on candid camera or something. But I’m slowly starting to think this is actually real.
But you can never be too sure, so I’ll be keeping my guard up.
I took a trip to Tokyo the other day.
I did once live in the city long ago, but now I typically live a hermit’s existence in the country, and going to crowded places makes me panicky.
When I got to Tokyo Station, the sheer press of people made me strongly consider going right back home with my tail between my legs.
I didn’t go to the city just to “get away from it all.” I really had a real reason, and that reason was a meeting.
But I got to Tokyo a little early, so I combed through Akihabara, the otaku mecca.
My plan had been to check out some bookstores, and when they didn’t have copies of my book, to exclaim loudly, “Whaaat?! You don’t carry Konosuba? Really?!”
But all the places I went to turned out to be superior booksellers, by which I mean they stocked my novel.
Thank you! Thank you!
After that, I wandered around near the Kadokawa building, wondering if I would get past security in the clothes I was wearing, but in the end I successfully had my meeting.
After that, my lovely editor treated me to an expensive meal, and I got to enjoy the city.
The next day, a typhoon hit Tokyo head-on.
Trains were stopped everywhere. I realized this was clearly a message from Heaven telling me not to hurry home and work but rather to take a little break before I went back. So I braved the winds and checked out the local sights.
I had fun wandering around, but I got lost more than once, and each time I imagined the scenario would work itself out thusly: Never find my way home ? Buy a tent ? Live here the rest of my life.
Where I live, you’re less likely to wait for a red light than you are for a wild pig to cross the street—and despite its inconveniences, I think I am definitely more suited to country life.
Now then, about the book.
At the moment, Sneaker Bunko’s website is serializing a Megumin-centered spin-off series called God’s Blessings on This Wonderful Explosion! so please feel free to check it out. I strongly encourage you, as it includes new illustrations by Mr. Kurone Mishima.
It’s set before Megumin met Kazuma and the others, so her hair is shorter, she lacks her trademark eye patch, and so on. The story deals with that mysterious—you know, thing on Megumin’s shoulder in the illustrations, so I recommend it to those who are curious about that.
In keeping with tradition, I leaned on a lot of people to make Volume 2 happen.
For me personally, the hardest thing to do is come up with the titles for each chapter. In fact, my editor, K, dreams up the subtitle for each volume.
Coming up with titles and character names is probably the thing that takes me the most time while writing. I just don’t have the knack for it, and I’m sure I’ll continue to need my editor’s help with titles in the future—so I apologize in advance.
Actually, my afterwords are pretty much just litanies of apologies.
But, thanks to all that help, Volume 2 made it safely out the door.
Thank you all so very much!
In fact, the web version of the story wrapped up just the other day.
To those who have read the web version: That was kind of a warm-up. The book is the real deal, and starting with Volume 3, I hope to include plenty of new material.
I promise it’ll be even better than the web version, so I hope you’ll keep reading!
Look, I may be a bit flighty, but I wouldn’t lie about my own work…would I…?
Last but not least, I’d like to thank everyone involved in the creation of this book—and especially you, my readers.
—You have my unyielding gratitude!
—Natsume Akatsuki
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