AFTERWORD
The meek must fall; there should be no mercy! Hullo! Tappei Nagatsuki here! Who is also a gray cat!
Those opening words are something of a slogan among the people of Volakia, but they also sum up this book’s content. Did you have fun spending an entire volume in Volakia?
This Ex volume reveals some of the background of the royal-selection candidate Priscilla, while also serving as an introduction to the ascendant Holy Volakian Empire, the stage on which Arc 7 of the main series is set. The place has some pretty twisted “common sense”; I think it would be fair to say it’s number one on the list of countries you don’t want to go to in Re:ZERO. At least, your author certainly doesn’t.
Then again, forged by constant, brutal struggle, the Volakian Empire has become prosperous, maybe even more so than the Kingdom of Lugunica, and we can speculate that the people there are overall very satisfied with their lives. And they seem quite happy with the job the reigning emperor, Vincent Volakia, is doing.
The current state of the Volakian Empire in the main series is revealed in the seventh arc, which starts in Re:ZERO, Vol. 26. If you’re interested, I urge you to pick up a copy. Meanwhile, I hope to continue being able to reveal pasts and perspectives that Subaru Natsuki couldn’t have access to with these Ex books as well as the short-story collections. So keep an eye on them as well as the main series to maximize your enjoyment of the world of Re:ZERO!
Oops! With that, it looks like I’m almost out of pages, so let’s move on to the traditional litany of gratitude.
To Editor I: I agonized about where to fit this volume of Ex in, but you saw that in terms of the main series, the timing could only be now, and you moved on it. Thank you. Let’s run the race of the seventh arc together.
To my illustrator, Otsuka: Thank you so much for coming up with nine separate character designs in one go, even knowing that (given the book is set in the past) some of them were going to die in this outing. As times change in the empire, so do the fashions, and I really enjoyed seeing the different look of the characters! I look forward to having you with me for Arc 7!
To my designer, Kusano: Thank you for delivering another stupendous cover absolutely brimming with characters. Every character has a story, and I really appreciate the thought you put into these designs.
Over in Monthly Comic Alive, Haruno Atori and Yu Aikawa have been doing a great job creating an attractive, readable version of a very difficult chunk of plot as they work their way through the manga telling of Arc 4. Thank you both.
I also want to extend my deep gratitude to everyone on the editorial staff at MF Bunko J, and all the proofreaders, booksellers, and salespeople to whom I’m so indebted every day.
Above all, my most heartfelt thanks go out to my readers, who are so passionate about not only the main series but also these spin-offs. Thank you all so much!
All right, then. I’ll see you in the Volakian Empire in the main series!
August 2021
(Eating ice cream while the rain and thunder keep me awake at night.)
“So there ya have it! And here we are entrusted with that all-important bit, the closeout! Let’s really go for it, eh, Miles?”
“Okay, hold on, just a second—are you serious? Why’d we end up with a job this big? Wouldn’t you expect Count Pendleton and his wife, or maybe our master the high countess, to do this sort of thing?”
“I get the mild panic, Bro, I do, but big, important people like them are busy. And we’ve got some time on our hands, right?”
“I can’t believe this… We’re both dead in the main series, aren’t we?!”
“Don’t talk about the main series, it’ll get confusing fast! But look, the buck’s been passed—to us!—and I think this is a great chance to show everyone what we can do.”
“Damn it, I’m getting a headache… Fine, all right, let’s get to work! What’ve we got first?”
“Yeah! First up! Next December, Volume 28 of the main series should be coming out.”
“So the story of the Volakian Empire goes on, eh? Guess they tried to cram this Ex volume in there to establish some of those relationships. Ms. Wife sure went on to big things.”
“I always thought she’d grow up to be a beauty, but even I never imagined she’d be so lovely! Wonder if that merciless streak of hers has mellowed at all?”
“Good question. Really would’ve liked to teach her some manners when she was a kid… Next!”
“Sure thing! That same month, December, Shinichirou Otsuka’s second collection of Re:ZERO illustrations will be coming out!”
“Just like the first one, it seems it’ll include not only the pictures from the books up to this point, but a few extras, too… Sounds like a pretty sweet deal.”
“Also like before, they’re plannin’ to throw in a collection of stories that started as store-exclusive bonus shorts—just another way to enjoy the world of Re:ZERO even more!”
“I think there’s an annual event coming up in September, right?”
“Righty-o! There’re going to be more commemorative events in honor of the annual observance of Emilia’s birthday! Sad to say, I don’t think you’ll be seeing our faces on any of the stuff…”
“Missed my chance to meet that beauty. What a damn shame…”
“Y’know, Brother, I hear she’s half-elf.”
“I don’t care if she’s half-demon! The point is, she’s gorgeous! Not to mention saucy— Ooh, it’d be a treat to discipline her!”
“Ha! I get it now. Miles, my brother, deep down, you’re a real bully, aren’t you?”
“Pipe down! Looks like our job’s done, so let’s get some wine in here! Drink with me, Balleroy!”
“You got it! You might be a bully, but you know how to look after a guy. That’s what I love about you, Bro!”
No Comments Yet
Post a new comment
Register or Login