“I know,” said Dozzu. “But let’s leave that aside. Please, dry yourself off now. Once you’re settled, we’ll head to my hideout. This area is dangerous—Cargikk’s followers have their eyes here.”
The fiends lifted Nashetania in their arms and headed away from the coast and to the forest. Dozzu took the lead, alert to their surroundings as they proceeded.
She coughed violently, and her chilled body was trembling. “How did things go with you?”
“The negotiations failed. Cargikk didn’t even listen to what I had to say.”
“…” Nashetania looked down. “Is this the end for us?”
When Dozzu heard that, it stopped. It planted its short legs firmly in front of Nashetania. “What are you talking about? Say that one more time, please?”
“But Dozzu—”
Pale sparks flew from Dozzu’s whole body. The electrical discharge fried the grass around the fiend. “You’re going to give up now? Are you forgetting the hopes of all of our comrades who have sacrificed themselves for our ideals? What are your excuses for our fallen comrades on the other side?!”
“…I’m sorry. You’re right. We’re not done yet.”
Dozzu closed its eyes, and then as if to say, Good, it nodded. “You’ve got it. Let’s hurry to my hideout. I’ve prepared a hot meal and clothing for you.”
The group made their way through the forest carefully, so as not to make a sound.
“Tgurneu is sure to hatch some scheme,” said Nashetania. “And I doubt the Six Braves will go down easy, either. If we can take advantage of their fights and find the right opportunity, the path will open.”
“That’s the spirit. Come on, have some hope,” Dozzu said with determination as they moved along. “Cargikk’s faction will not be the winners—and of course, neither will the Six Braves. We will win. The world is wishing for our victory,” said Dozzu, and Nashetania nodded quietly. “Our hands will be the ones to remake this world.”
Dozzu, Nashetania, and the fiends that escorted them disappeared into the forest.
It’s been a long time since the last book. Ishio Yamagata speaking. How was Rokka: Braves of the Six Flowers, Volume 2? I hope you enjoyed it.
Right now, the Rokka manga adaptation is being serialized in the newly launched bimonthly magazine, Super Dash & Go! The artist is Kei Toru-san. His artwork is so beautiful, and I always look forward to seeing his drafts. I hope you all enjoy it, too. Toru-san, I’m looking forward to continuing to work with you in the future, as well.
I suppose I’ll report on my current state of affairs. Not that I have anything in particular to write about, though.
I’ve noticed something recently. I have the habit of clenching my teeth whenever I write fight scenes, so by the time I’m nearing the latter half of the story, my jaw always starts to hurt. When I was writing the last volume of my previous series, Tatakau Shisho (“Fighting Librarians”), it got really bad. The dentist taught me some jaw exercises, though, so it’s gotten a little better. I think, moving forward, Adlet and the team will be doing quite a lot of fighting, so I’m worried that I’m going to be stuck with this. I’ve been considering buying a mouthguard or something, but would that even work?
I went to visit my grandparents’ graves. I was surprised to see that graveyards these days are so bright and pretty. There was also a considerable variety of unique gravestones. The place didn’t feel eerie at all—it was baffling. I was like, Is this a real graveyard? Having it be so fancy must make it difficult for the ghosts to come haunting and transforming. If you saw a ghost orb, it’d just look like a part of the light display. Maybe we should be a bit more considerate of those who have to use the graveyard.
The other day, I bought a flask online for warming sake in the microwave. It was a great buy. The whole thing is rounded, and there’s a shield in the upper part of the flask that blocks microwave radiation. This makes convection occur when you’re heating, so you don’t get sake that’s hot on top while the bottom is still cold. And not only does it make the process easy, the taste of warm sake from this exceptional item is almost indistinguishable from sake heated from a flask in hot water.
In winter, there’s nothing I look forward to more than mixing some grated daikon with shredded Japanese pickled plum, sprinkling on some shredded seaweed and bonito flakes, and then drizzling some soy sauce on top for a snack while I slowly sip away at my hot sake.
That concludes my report on my current state of affairs.
And finally, the acknowledgments.
To my illustrator, Miyagi-san, thank you for your wonderful illustrations in this volume, too. It was also very helpful of you to point out those unclear items.
To my editor, T-san, thank you very much for all the various ways you’ve cooperated with me. To everyone in the editorial department, thank you for all your support.
And finally, to all my readers, I hope to see you again.
Best,
ISHIO YAMAGATA
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