By Satsuki Nakamura and Kana Yuki. Released in Japan as “Futsutsuka na Akujo dewa Gozaimasu ga: Suuguu Chouso Torikae Den” by Ichijinsha Novels. Released in North America by Airship. Translated by Tara Quinn.

The author speaks in the afterword about having grand plans for a lot of wacky fun in the second half of this arc, but as they began to actually write the book, it became apparent that wacky fun was going to have to take a backseat. This is a serious book, with lots of threats to our heroines and the city as a whole. Reirin herself is still battling her own chronic illness, and has come to terms with the fact that she’ll be dying very soon – something which absolutely terrifies Keigetsu. And then there’s the brothel they’re infiltrating, which is filled with sex workers who are trying their hardest to be the one who steps on rather than the one who gets stepped on. There’s a chilling drug that not only can give you lifelong addiction, but no one knows how it’s made! And then there’s the guys who they’ve left behind, who are ready to rush the place at the drop of a hat, and have taken their hats off and prepared to drop them just in case.

In order to help Nadir stop the drug trade and find evidence to convict his crooked aide, Reirin and Keigetsu (who remain swapped the entire book) have to infiltrate the brothel that is the most likely source of the drug. Seika is going as well, of course, because she’s come to the horrifying conclusion that her childhood friend may be there. Unfortunately, for Reirin’s plans and perhaps Keigetsu’s self-image, Reirin-in-Keigetsu is not considered pretty enough to be a sex worker, so she’s made a simple laborer while the other two infiltrate above stairs. Still, this lets her easily investigate… but she’s coming up empty. Meanwhile, things go from bad to worse for Keigetsu and Seika – not because they’re being bullied as newbies (they’ve seen far worse in the inner court, and are more appalled at how unsubtle it is), but because Kinyou, Seika’s friend, *is* there, is the one at the very top, and will do anything to throw Seika out of there fast.

For those of you not reading this as a yuri series (there are some, right? The author if no one else…), there’s a lot of good stuff here. We’ve seen subtext between Keigetsu and Reirin’s brother Keishou in previous books, but there’s even more of it here. Likewise, while they start off as enemies, fans of shoujo manga should realize that Seika and Prince Nadir’s back and forth is very familiar, and likely may also turn romantic. That said, the author also cannot stop writing the strongest relationships in this series between the women. Seika and Kinyou have what amounts to a DIY marriage ceremony before Seika departs for the inner court, and there is a lot of anguish and pain between the two of them that does not scream “besties!”. Speaking of anguish and pain, Keigetsu is still reeling from the reveal that Reirin is much closer to dying than anyone thought, and it’s not a surprise that the solution that pops into mind is “why don’t we just stay like this forever so she can have my healthy body?”. Reirin would never allow that of course… so Keigetsu has to start hiding things from her again, which I’m sure will go as well as it always has.

Reirin says she’s going to tell everyone else at court about her condition in the next book, and presumably stand down as a maiden. I’m 100% sure that won’t happen, but I’m unsure where this will go. In any case, this series remains terrific, though as always, if you suffer from chronic illness, it can be very hard to get through.