Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy, Romance, Harem, Isekai

Makoto Battles the Snake Sect in Highland!

After successfully stopping the attack on Roses, Makoto’s journey in the fourth volume takes him to Highland – the alliance centrepiece and home to his friend the hero of light.

It won’t be all ceremony and parties, however, the city’s slums play host to the snake sect who are planning an attack on Symphonia and at the head of them all, seems to be the exiled Priestess of the Moon who’ll lead the Cambions to victory!

What immediately stands out in this volume is Makoto’s power growth. At several points, the volume moves Makoto forward leaps and bounds in preparation for bigger fights down the road. This includes a victory over Highland’s hero of lightning and using a very high-tier elemental to defeat the snake sect threat.

I think this is the first time that I’ve felt that the author is moving pieces into place for long-term growth within the series. There are multiple plot threads built up and mysteries to be solved that really get their grounding here such as the elementals society. Volume 4 does every effort to give the reader a lot to stick their teeth into.

Makoto isn’t the only one moving forward; Lucy, Sasa and Princess Sophia have been turning the dial in terms of romantic prospects as well. Throughout the volume, we’re treated to some lighter moments beyond the demon lord threat as the three of them battle in competition for Makoto’s affection. Princess Sophia does best here really opening up from her normal cold demeanour and just in time as Makoto’s actions in Highland make him the centre of attention with the ladies of high society.

Whilst Makoto’s lucky streak continues it’s nothing when in comparison to Sakurai, who has essentially turned into a breeding machine with over 20 members to his harem! With how exhausted he gets, maybe it’s better if Makoto aimed for a lower number on the harem spectrum?

Speaking of characters in Highland, alongside Sakurai and the Grandsage, we’re introduced to several important characters – Gerald, Noelle and future teammate Furiae. Noelle and Gerald do well in subverting their usual tropes with Gerald turning out to be more of a tsundere but it’s Furiae who’ll most likely become a favourite with fans of the series.

Furiae is the exiled Priestess of the Moon whose motivations are misunderstood by basically everyone. Shunned by wider society and exploited for her abilities by believers of the demon lord, it would be normal to think that she’d hate everyone. Fortunately, she’s good at heart and incredibly kind and after some discussion agrees to use her charm ability to stop the snake sect’s plan in exchange for Makoto becoming her knight.

Whilst she may’ve started this volume with a crush on Sakurai, I suspect that it won’t be long before her affections are swayed somewhat.

Finally, the volume ends with some God squabbling as Eir comes into the picture. At first teasing about stealing Makoto from Noah, she quickly gets serious delivering a grave warning. A little bit of a ham-fisted cliffhanger, it does at least give us some direction as to where the series will head next, another crisis in Roses.

Overall, volume 4 takes this series from strength to strength, building Makoto’s abilities and introducing some really great new characters for the volumes to come. The series has really gotten into a good rhythm!