Published at 13th of August 2019 1:03 pm

Volume 2, Afterword

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Here, we see off Volume 2 of Rakuin no Monshou.

Last time, we witnessed battles in arenas, at Seirin Valley, Zaim Fortress and many other settings, the sufferings of the gladiator Orba, and Princess Vileena. But in this time's setting in the capital Solon, we see him inflicted with an even greater amount of battles and conflicts.

For those who have waited, or even those that are only looking to kill time, please go ahead and enjoy.

Now then.

This might be sudden, but please join me for a short reminiscence.

I first came to like novels around the end of elementary school.

To be honest, I didn't like reading much then. I was terrible at writing my impressions. My teacher often yelled at me, 'Don't only write summaries of the book. Write what you felt,' and each time i would get annoyed. 'I felt nothing so what else do you want me to write besides the summary?' were my thoughts inside.

That time I also had to write my impressions for homework and I unwilling headed to the library, but it was there I saw several new books lined up. They were a published series of famous foreign children's sci-fi books easily written out. (The first issue apparently came out before I was born)

I could not forget it.

The Earth's Core Pellucidar

Edgar Rice Burroughs' everlasting work and one of the series translated by the maestro of Japan's sci-fi genre, Noda Masahiro-san.

It was completely different from the other groups of books on the shelves that claimed they were meant for kids but lacked anything that could grab a child's attention. Pulled the awesome title that sounded like it came from some kind of Hollywood film, I took that book in my hand.

And I found myself completely engrossed in reading that book. There was nothing that betrayed the image set by the title. It was already a blood throbbing muscle jumping adventure action story.

What was until now an annoying piece of work that required me to read in kanji, had by the first few pages turned into 'of enjoyment of pursuing the story' and I still remember the feeling as I was overtaken by this desire and couldn't stop myself from flipping over the pages.

And most importantly, what surprised me most later on whenever I tried to remember the story of the novel what came to mind were not the rows of letters but a playback of the action-filled scenes in succession.

(My experience here is exactly the same as from my previous work 'Legion' so I'm putting it here).

I loved reading this single work, and the name of the author Edgar Rice Burroughs had been engraved into my heart as a name I would never forget my whole life.

As for why I suddenly began to reminisce, when I first started Rakuin no Monshou what unfolded in my head were none other than the various rough, yet splendorous worlds from Burrough's works.

A great adventure where you found yourself in a desperate situation and hanging off the edge of your seats pinch after pinch.

Action where you experience fearsome monsters and hateful villains.

I wanted to write such a story in a world with characters like the one my elementary self could not help but be fascinated by.

This thought led to the beginning of Rakuin no Monshou.

Back then I hated reading and found writing impressions a bother.

If I could go back in time and make 'him' read this work...

Would it be able to give the same feelings as The Earth's Core Pellucidar. Would it get him to like reading. Will it get him engrossed page after page.

This might be in a certain way, a battle to win the young me of back then more than all of you readers.

-- Tomonori Sugihara

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