By Hyougetsu and Nari Teshima. Released in Japan by SQEX Novels. Released in North America by J-Novel Club. Translated by Ningen.
When I reviewed the last volume of Der Werwolf, over two years ago (so once again it was a struggle to remember who the hell everyone was), I wondered how the final volume would wrap up, and pondered if it would end with retirement or even Veight’s death. Well, one of those is true, though there is a flashforward three hundred years for an epilogue that shows that Veight has essentially passed into legend, and so presumably has passed on. But the last third or so of this book is dedicated to Veight trying to retire (and Airia having more success, partly because she’s pregnant again), and finding that, when you’ve spent the last twenty years completely remaking a nation due to your awesome powers, drive, and will, that no one wants to see you go. Fortunately, Veight prepared for this seventeen years ago, when he and Airia had their first child. The world does not need Veight. It has Veight, only a spunky young girl. In other words, his daughter.
Veight is drowning in work, and Airia forces him to take a vacation. Well, a working vacation. Kuwol has noticed that an area of its dense forests is slowly dying, and when he gets there, it becomes clear it’s because the mana is being leeched out of the region by something. That something turns out to be not one but TWO Valkaans, and given that Veight had tremendous difficulties defeating one, and is now twenty years older, that’s not good. For once, Veight gets the absolute tar beaten out of him, but fortunately he’s about more than just “hit things very hard”, and has a plan to work things out. After that, as noted above, Airia is retiring, and has a replacement in mind, but the trouble is that the replacement also wants Veight as a vice-commander.
The series’ first and best joke is that Veight does all of these world-shaping impossibly heroic feats while insisting that he’s just a humble vice-commander, so it makes sense that by the end of the book the joke gets weaponized into the position having essentially become the watchword for “secretly the real leader of everything”. Actually, Veight, who has done his best to pass down his knowledge over the course of the series, has also passed down his bad habits, as both his daughter and her friends all see themselves as ordinary, struggling folks who cannot possibly live up to everything that’s come before them. Fortunately, they can all manage to give each other pep talks, which helps. I also want to take one last time to mention Airia, who has to be one of the more sensual love interests we’ve seen in a male dominated series. From the start, she was down for that werewolf [censored], and this has not changed. I’m honestly surprised she didn’t have more kids between Friede and Othilie.
Also, kudos to see what the immortal Parker is up to in the epilogue. He’s living his best life! I am happy to see this series has finally come to an end, but it was a good ending, and I’m glad I read it.
