AFTERWORD
Hi, hello! I’m your author, who is also a gray cat, Tappei Nagatsuki!
Thank you so much for picking up The Love Ballad of the Sword Devil! If through hard work and dedication you’ve managed to read all the way to the afterword while standing there in the store, I congratulate you! If you had spent that time working a job instead of reading, you probably could have paid for this book, am I right?!
Now then, this is indeed the afterword, and while the main series usually features a two-stage, densely packed afterword, this is a taste of something different.
It’s so bad that the author’s father complains he needs a microscope to read the afterword or something. Having your parents read the actual story is one thing, but somehow, knowing they’re reading the afterword, too, is sort of sweat inducing…
Okay, enough chatter. Let’s talk about the book.
The Love Ballad of the Sword Devil, collected in this volume, takes the Re:ZERO short stories that were serialized in Monthly Comic Alive, reorganizes them a bit, adds some new material, allows me to fret over how much my writing used to suck, and then lets me reread them to discover that, actually, they’re not half-bad… As you can see, it’s been an emotional roller coaster.
This is already the third volume of Ex, a series that puts side characters into the spotlight; including the short-story collections, we’re now up to six full volumes of side material alone—Re:ZERO is really filling out! That makes a grand total of twenty-two Re:ZERO novels. It’s turning into a proper epic.
Your author believes that one of the great pleasures of such a lengthy series is getting to explore the background of characters who appear in the main story. Wait, am I repeating something I said in the last Ex?!
Never mind. I’ll say it as often as I want. All hail prequels!
Wilhelm has now found himself in the limelight several times, being as he is a character with a lot of important background. He’s already featured in two of these books, and I have plans for a third. Lucky guy. And while this may be a side story, it’s still Re:ZERO, so you can be sure something bad will happen to him!
Nonetheless, this was a lighthearted, rollicking book in which Wilhelm got to propose (after a big fight), get married (after a grueling military mission), and go on his honeymoon (where he had to fight one of his most powerful enemies). Good times all around.
We’re into the fifth arc of the main series, in which Wilhelm has a role to play, so hopefully reading The Love Ballad of the Sword Devil will give you even more enjoyment of the main books!
If you have any friends who insist they only read the main series, please encourage them to check out the side stories, too. Authors don’t like to present information and then just leave it on the table—they like to use it. So I guarantee people who have read everything will have more fun!
So, after that excellent bit of side-story promotion, it’s time for the acknowledgments!
To my dear Editor I: Considering that The Love Song of the Sword Devil mostly came about because I said to myself, “I wrote it, I might as well send it,” it’s sort of surprising to find ourselves doing a second volume of the Sword Devil series. I hope you’ll stick by me for the next volume as well!
To my illustrator, Ohtsuka, I know I say this every time, but I love your character designs! You even add characters I didn’t specifically indicate, so there’s such great variety in your illustrations. I thought Kurgan looked especially awesome in this volume! Thank you again!
To my designer, Kusano, the cover of this book featured more characters than any other in the series, but you still rose to the challenge with an excellent, clean design. Thank you!
And, as it happens, the timing of this book coincides perfectly with the blindingly brilliant antics of Old Wilhelm in the third arc of Matsuse’s manga adaptation! Thank you for such an intimidating but cool Wilhelm!
I’m also deeply indebted to everyone on the editorial team at MF Bunko J, my proofreader, all the booksellers, all the sales staff, and lots of other people! Thank you, everyone, for all your support!
I’ve also once again been favored by everyone on the staff of the anime OVA. As I mention at the very back of the book, the Sword Devil series is actually going to get a manga adaptation. I don’t have the words to thank everyone involved. Let’s keep moving forward together!
And last but certainly not least, my greatest thanks go to all the readers who continually support and encourage me.
So then, hoping to see you for the next of these little chats—ciao!
May 2018
Tappei Nagatsuki
(Tired at the end of a long day of redecorating his room.)
“Okay, time for everyone’s favorite, the preview corner. It’s where two of the most memorable characters from the book bring you all the news, but…”
“Heh-heh-heh. What’s wrong, Theresia? You’ve nothing to be anxious about. Or are you feeling shy? I don’t blame you. You’re here with me, after all.”
“Sure… I’m just disappointed I had to be paired with you, Father, and not Wilhelm or Carol.”
“What?! Disappointed?! Aren’t you thrilled?!”
“I can’t imagine why you think I would be, Father… Right, we’d better do the news! We have to do our job so I can get home and make dinner.”
“Mm, hiding how shy you feel, I see. Theresia, a word of advice. Your father doesn’t much like potatoes, so consider that when you’re planning tonight’s soup…”
“For starters, the next thing coming out will be Re:ZERO, Vol. 17, and that’s planned for August. It’s set long, long after this book, and a much older Wilhelm appears in it… You know, my Wilhelm is so handsome, even when he’s older. Don’t you think he’s cool, Father?”
“Whaaat?! You’re asking me?! I don’t have the guts to praise my son-in-law quite so openly!”
“Uh-huh, I know. Also, an anime OVA will start screening theatrically on October 6, 2018. I’m so excited to see how those kids playing around in the key art will look when they come to life on the big screen.”
“Ahem. It has also been decided that the MF Bunko J Summer School Festival 2018 will include a Re:ZERO performance. All your favorite cast members will appear, and I fully expect it to be very exciting. Stop by for a look!”
“Why are you trying to sound so tough, Father?”
“Did I say something wrong, Theresia?”
“No, nothing. Oh, I’ve got some more big news! The Love Song of the Sword Devil, the story of how Wilhelm and I met, is going to be turned into a manga! Keep your eye out for announcements about the details—believe me, my heart is pounding with excitement.”
“Hrr! I do want to see my dear, sweet Theresia, but knowing Wilhelm is going to steal her away… I’m not sure how to feel…! Whatever shall I do…?”
“I’m just excited to see how cool Wilhelm’s going to look. Hee-hee!”
“Argh! Tishua! Tishua! Theresia is picking on me!”
“Oh, Father… Mother is just going to tease him again. Will he ever learn?”
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