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

Sub-Tags: OP, Strong Lead, Personal Growth, Villain

Slowe, His Father and the Decisive Battle!

The Denning Patriarch

As the curtain closes on Piggy Duke’s story, the final volume is singularly focused on the Denning family and their business dealings.

It’s been a long time coming, but the story finally decides to deal with the elephant in the room – Slowe and the relationship with his father. Diplomatically described as tumultuous, Slowe’s father is one of the main reasons he ran away from his responsibilities. Although having finally met the patriarch, it’s clear that Slowe’s been an unreliable narrator.

Though he hides it well, there’s a depth of fatherly love that Slowe’s yet to realise. Through his final test, Slowe’s father offers him his desired freedom; an opportunity to live a life with Charlotte and avoid becoming the head of the Denning household. It’s just a shame we get this information from his father’s new retainer, Mint, rather than have a scene between father and son for this information.

A Battle Against Rust

Piggy Duke‘s final volume is very much action-packed. The main plot point of this volume is destroying Rust, a secret military organisation hired by the Dennings. Making Kirsch Academy their battleground, Slowe’s freedom rests in the death of the organisation’s head, Magna.

The battles between the organisations are fierce, appropriate for a final volume. Kirsch is completely levelled during the attacks, and several characters make important steps in their development. For one, Slowe can wield the Ring of Authority by the end of the story. An important magical item, it’s a must for anyone wanting to become the head of the Denning household.

Charlotte also sees a metamorphosis in her character. A major theme throughout the series involves whether Charlotte has what it takes to become a Denning retainer. A retainer for the Dennings needs mental and physical strength to survive the harsh lives they usually end up living. This is one of the few character arcs that plan out. From being scared of monsters to actively participating and helping to defeat Rust, the tenth volume finally shows to others that Charlotte has what it takes to join Slowe on all his dangerous adventures. 

Rust is eventually defeated, granting Slowe and Charlotte their freedom, although it’s not the one they were probably expecting.

Overall, Piggy Duke’s final volume ends the story on a satisfactory note – the best you could expect of a series cut short. It manages to finish several character arcs, meaning that main characters Slowe and Charlotte end on a high note. However, others are left by the wayside, unfinished business that I’ll talk more at length about in the upcoming Piggy Duke series review, where I believe the conversation will be more appropriate.