Many are asking about my opinion on volume 9, here’s a small review:

it was disappointing.

The reason why I found this volume disappointing and very unsatisfying is mainly because the story doesn’t progress at all, like at all !! its freaking the  slowest thing I have ever read which is very annoying. I found it hard to countinue reading sometime because it got boring.

Every time the same event is written from a different perspective, the same  dialogue every time, the same accident that you can even say each sentence is burned in my brain now. This lead the story to not porgress at all, like idk around 15% progress for the story in a whole volume ?? It’s not even the main story. only the case. I feel like counting this as a side story material idk.

Part of my disapointment is also related to the fact that this volume didn’t turn out to be the king arc that I and many others were so hyped for. Not to mention the main cast wasn’t in view. It was only Maria from the main cast there.

The atmosphere of the book is very different from the previouse volumes. I really enjoyed the expanding of the Bakarina verse. In fact, only the kingdom of Soleil is peaceful while in other countries, events such as conflicts and human trafficking are commonplace.The darkness of the world is secretly invading the kingdom of Soliel this honeslty makes me excited to look forward for next volumes.

Also an unexpected character came back. 

Caeser is back.

I love Caeser so I enjoyed this but the volume plot in itself is not particularly interesting. So much Mariakata and Sorakata. Maria’s love for Katarina is getting heavier and Sora’s falling even deeper for Katarina. New characters were introduced but well that’s it… they were gone faster than expected, usually they will join the harem so this is new. The perosn Sora talked about in Volume 3 appeared. (Arnaud)

Also I’m a person who pay attention to small details all over the volumes and I noticed that the character profile changed, usually Gerald is shown as a big figure beside Katarina, but now for the first time he’s just minimized. also Sora is added. If I recall correctly, normally the profile character never added him even when he had a role in the volumes so i wonder if that makes him a main now.

I have the feeling that if the author make the story too big, the balance will be lost, therefore I believe adjustment will be made soon.

I have the feeling since volume 3 the story is focusing on coupling Gerald and Katarina slowly, therefor the author is trying to give each character the conclusion they need and deserve. A lot fo japanese fans have been talking about Soramaria But I honestly dont know if that’s a good thing but anyway.

I hope volume 10 will progress with the main story. Nothing much happened in this volume that’s related to the main story. In general, I loved the fact that Katarina is getting involved in problems with other countries, that means more exciting events to come. Of course I want Gerald, Maria, Mary and others to appear more. I hope we get to see more of the main cast in the future.

I believe this volume was just preparing for a bigger plot perhaps (?) this would explain a lot. Having no Gerald or Keith in view was indeed a wired experience. Considering the story settings, I expect the next volume hopfully to star Keith and Gerald but who knows. I’m honestly excited for volume 10 now that volume 9 didnt do much with the main story, that means that next volume can have heavy materials for adjusment which is something I will look forward for. Please give us the king arc soon.

You can read the start (trial reading)  of volume 9 on this site if you are interested, the scene where Gerald and co are with Katarina before she goes on her mission  (just use google translate) : https://ameblo.jp/ichijin-iris/entry-12587653933.html