I was quite struck by Eglantine saying she owed Ferdinand and Rozemyne an apology, that there were things she hadn't realized before becoming Zent. WHAT THINGS? You can't drop a nugget like that and do nothing with it. ๐ Hoping it comes out in a side story then.
And then Rozemyne CAN WE STOP TALKING ABOUT WINTER PLEASE? Genius of Kazuki to make that her euphemism.
I really want to see how the transformation of Alexandria unfolds and how all the current residents adapt to being ruled by a gremlin librarian and her very able sidekick the Lord of Evil... ๐
I want to see how the transplanted Gutenbergs find their way in the new place and watch everything change and grow.
Also that Ferdinand of all people knows how much she hates embroidery! ๐ That will be an act of true love.
Also very much an act of intimacy for him, to give any control to another person.
The second mindlink also. Rozemyne is not quite catching on to what it means that he is revealing himself in this way, though I mean, it's been kind of a crazy couple of days, it's not like she's really had time to get her bearings.
I was terrified she might reject him when he laid out her three choices and revealed that he actively wanted to marry her ;-) , glad she found language that worked and got past the "but wait, I suck, you don't want that, let me save you from it."
I love the "I want to embroider your cape" language. It seems to encapsulate so much of their relationship, I want to protect you and keep you from harm, as family. I was breathless reading to the end hoping the section would reveal it and not make us wait for another part, and I was not disappointed. Thoughtful and mature from Rozemyne, and yet full of personal meaning that seems likely to resonate for Ferdinand. What a great callback to the earlier novels. Once again I'm so appreciative of the magic of Kazuki-sensei.
I think he wants her to have his namestone for a couple of reasons.
First, I think it's sentimental, it makes him feel needed and closer to her. And probably having it returned when his father was dying is not the best memory.
Second, I think it's intentional to give her power over him. It neutralizes the imbalance that began their relationship, when he had life and death power over her, not to mention the mentor-student power. He is always seen (and probably knows himself to be) manipulative and dangerous and he wants very much not to hurt her, to give her absolute power to stop him should she choose.
Schutzaria's shield of wind prevents anyone from entering who means harm to those inside. He's giving her that, to ensure that he cannot harm her, at least not until she comes of age. He doesn't fully trust himself.
For a relationship with an underage fiancee, it does seem very appropriate.
The last volume, sob!
But it is a banger, starting out just as I'd hoped with a Ferdinand POV around draining her mana, and then going into that shared POV where we get to see not only the Rozemyne-Ferdinand interactions but also Ferdinand's reactions to the events of the first volume.
"Holy heck, I was so tiny!" "Did you ever worry about accidentally stepping on me?" ๐
I also really enjoyed the contrast of Myne reacting to her family's actions in the meeting with Bezewanst as a normal noble might have, with Ferdinand's now more emotional take. Nice reversal, such depth.
Smart of him to show her the Japanese crafts since he didn't have memory of her lower city crafting.
Gunther: "If whoever you marry can't protect you, I'll come beat him up myself." ๐
and then at the very end, when Rozemyne sees Ferdinand relax with relief when she finally returns to consciousness...
"He must have broken or something." ๐คฃ
I love the cover art. Alexandria is going to be a beautiful dutchy.
Coincidentally, my family had just started a rewatch of the season 1 anime this week and as is typical of this series, every time I go back and reread or rewatch I find deeper resonance and connections that I didn't notice the first time. Amazing timing on our part to do it now. In addition, the commentary in Fanbook4 talks about some of the art for the season 1 anime and man this all just ties together so brilliantly.
Watching Ferdinand aggressively challenge the gods themselves is flat amazing.
I'm so looking forward to the establishment of Alexandria, but also so sad that the next one is the last volume.
I hope Adolphine gets a future that works for her. Rozemyne didn't seem to be able to figure out how much Adolphine dislikes Sigiswald and she's clearly not on anyone's mind. Glad she was finally able to speak up, and I hope she gets the divorce she wants and a better situation.
I like that, I agree that would make more sense than sending him away to be an Aub.
Ferdinand creating a condition where the next Zent must nameswear to Rozemyne!
Another great part. How can we be so close to the end though?
Her library city. After everyone telling her it was impossible.
The Zent gives her a final exam of destroying some medals, perfectly logical and normal, of course.
But man - this feystone exchange. It was a delight to see each of them react with such heartfelt feeling, and both messages basically "I will watch over you and protect you and the things you care about." The image for this part is just spectacular too.