Tags: Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy, Romance, Slice of Life, Isekai

Sub-Tags: Cute, Heartwarming, Medicine, Pets

Takumi and the Mysterious Illness!

Firstly, I’d like to apologise to all my readers because of my inactivity over the past two weeks – time rather slipped away from me, and I didn’t have any time to write reviews. However, normal service will now continue, starting with a series’ third volume featuring pets, wine and sickness!

A Sickness’ Source

As the third volume in the series, the story has become a little more like Pharmacy in Another World, as Takumi and the Libert estate investigate the possible source of an illness sweeping through their territory.

Taking up the majority of the volume, the illness investigation is thoroughly engaging. Whilst the perpetrators are revealed pretty quickly, the interest comes in the form of evidence gathering, ensuring that the Count and his dodgy dealings can be put to rest once and for all.

As part of the investigation, the author has made good use of all the main characters. They each have a part to play, whether it’s the servants and their network of information or Leo and her ability to pick up the illness’s scent when it is transferred to objects. Each provides a necessary piece of the puzzle and the information needed to put the Count away.

The resulting search takes them to the village of Langes, where the full scale of the Count’s schemes are revealed. Takumi’s arrival is fortunate as the Count and his underlings were planning to destroy the evidence, killing all the villagers in the process.

A fight and a subsequent chase occur, and for the first time, we, as readers, can grasp the breadth of Takumi’s fighting abilities. He’s strong but not overpowered as a group of mid-level monsters can give him trouble.

An Offensive Approach

For the series’ slice-of-life component, there are several smaller plots to take an interest in. Claire and Takumi’s romance has been slowly heating up throughout the previous volumes, and this latest addition takes it up yet another level. Their cute moments together are always a highlight, and readers should pay particular attention to Takumi and Claire’s new sleeping arrangements by the end of the volume!

Magic also features truly for the first time in the series. This volume marks the first opportunity for Takumi to learn magic, which comes in handy in the volume’s final battle.

All in all, Even Dogs’ third volume continues to be a pleasant read. The story’s mystery is engaging, and the romantic entanglements between Takumi and Claire are coming along swimmingly. Add to this the series’ first cliffhanger, and I can say without a doubt that I’m looking forward to what’s coming next!