We just had the pleasure of reviewing The Magical Revolution of the Reincarnated Princess and the Genius Young Lady, Vol. 4, a Light Novel that did every thing right. So it only seems fair that we look at how similar elements can be put together in a way that doesn’t work all that well. And it comes down to one thing. So, today we’re looking at The Executioner and Her Way of Life, Vol. 6: A Casket of Salt.

When we left the cast at the end of Volume 5, Menou was about to have a showdown with her mentor, Flare. But before that happens, we have a lot of random things that occur. Plot points that have been set up wiffle and fade, as new characters wander in and make themselves important, and all the characters we currently have and know, just do things that may or may not have meaning.

When the climatic battle does occur, it ends up as it had to and we feel…not much. Then we meet The Lord of this world…and if I felt anything, it was a vague sense of annoyance for introducing another plot complication without resolving any of the existing plot complications first. And that is the main problem with this series. It’s a dogpile of miseries, with no end in sight. Well, not entirely true – we know the series will end, but is any of this worth it?  I’m still on the fence. I’m still reading, but still on the fence.

What has kept me reading this series has been the unique form of magics created and used by the various groups in the world, but as all of them are corrupt and evil, it becomes a much of a muchness. There are no good people here, and probably no good ends.

There is also, undoubtedly, Yuri. Menou and Akari are bound in two planes of existence, Momo is obsessively in love with Menou. There’s still room for something to happen with Momo and Ashuna, as well, which I have to assume will happen when whatever is going to occur between Akari and Menou occurs. 

Ratings:

Art – 6 It has improved this volume
Story – 5
Characters – 7
Service – Less than usual
Yuri – Akari loves Menou, Momo loves Menou…

Overall – 6

In the meantime, I find myself tired of Human Errors and wishing that a few of the floating plot points would be resolved before author Mato Sato added more. This story desperately needs a rest in between intensities.

I’ve talked about the problems with “happily-ever-after” many times on Okazu. And I’ve frequently mentioned that I love media that looks beyond it – “after-happily-ever-after.” And I’ve addressed the fact that looking past the princesses riding off together on the flying horse or whatever leads to a complicated series of questions and answers, most of which are about human society and politics and not at all romantic, so it’s mostly always handwaved away for “and they lived happily-ever-after.”

So, while the climax of Volume 3 (and/or the anime) left us with hope that Euphyllia and Anisphia would be able to achieve something together, it was a bit thin on details.

The Magical Revolution of the Reincarnated Princess and the Genius Young Lady, Vol. 4 not only digs deep into the practical matters of “happily-ever-after” and after that, it addresses all the actual political issues that lead to the bigger social problems and the smaller issues that made Princess Anis’ life a misery. Piero Karasu took time to address the rather large and complex issue of just how can magicology help people…but also took time to figure out how magicology could bring the Ministry of the Arcane together with Anis and Euphie. This is a major plot point and was handled thoughtfully. A pile of new characters (and therefore new future plot complication) were introduced, as well.

But best of all, this series really got into the weeds of addressing Anis’ and Euphie’s relationship. I heard that some folks were unhappy with them being formally made sisters. In Japan in 2023, where same-sex relationships have no national legal status, adoption is still a common method to give people a legal bond. So that was not unexpected. What happened in Volume 4 as Euphie is crowned – that was unexpected. And very welcome. So if you were among the disappointed, I recommend reading this volume. ^_^

In fact, so much happens in this volume, it’s easy to not see any of it actually *happening* as the modus operandi for most of it is people having much-needed conversations…like people do. What an actual pleasure. ^_^

Ratings:

Art – 7 Kisaragi’s art is better and more relevant this volume
Story – 10 Does everything it needed to
Characters – 9 Euphie finally steps up and we have two Queens to bring revolution to the world
Service – 6 Euphie’s “feeding” is not heavily veiled and we get an actual sex scene, mostly
Yuri – 10

Overall – 10

I can’t wait for Volume 5 which should be headed our way in August. ^_^