The Myuri Mercenary Company schemes to get the upper hand as they retreat across the frozen Northlands.
Creative Staff
Story: Isuna Hasekura
Art: Keito Koume
Translation/Adaptation: Jasmine Bernhardt
What They Say
The Debau Company is headed to a point of no return. The radicals within the company have made their move and deposed the conservative faction, all the while steering the northlands closer to the brink of open battle. A certain wolf rushes South as fast as her paws can carry her, but can Lawrence and the Myuri Mercenary Company hold back the flames of war long enough for a chance at lasting peace?
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
Having been manipulated by Hilde into fleeing Lesko, Lawrence and the Myuri Mercenaries must determine their next plan of action. The discussion between Lawrence and the mercenary leaders is intended to provide a snapshot of their current circumstances and options, but it is a little difficult to follow. However, they clearly make the decision to go to Svernel, as Hilde intended, and shortly thereafter, the situation really gets interesting when pursuers hired by the Debau Company catch up to them.
The Myuri Company’s reaction to the arrival of the Hugo Company and Luward’s communications with Captain Rebonato might strike readers as baffling. After all, these people are mercenaries, and modern Western readers generally think of mercenaries as fighters-for-hire whose only loyalty is to money. To the contrary, the mercenaries of the Spice and Wolf world are people with their own code of honor and who are distinctly different from knights, hired thugs, and assassins. As such, the staged battles between the Myuri and Hugo Companies were not at all what I expected.
Holo’s return to Lawrence is also rather low-key. Although she alludes to difficulties when she returned to Lesko to find Lawrence gone, the Myuri Company is not in dire straits when she rejoins them. That relaxed atmosphere allows for an unexpectedly tender moment in the snow with our lead couple. (Although the romance is immediately followed by blatant fan service when Holo retrieves the forbidden book.)
That lack of tension also serves another purpose: heightening the Myuri Company’s shock when their staged negotiation go awry. While the code of honor between mercenaries remains a bit of a puzzle for me, the turnabout is effective at flinging our heroes back into peril and bringing excitement back to the pages.
Extras include title illustration in color and afterword.
In Summary
Apparently, merchants aren’t the only ones who strike negotiations and scheme to minimize losses. Mercenaries do, too! Lawrence gets a glimpse into the world of mercenaries as he flees with the Myuri Company to Svernel.
Content Grade: B+
Art Grade: B+
Packaging Grade: B+
Text/Translation Grade: B
Age Rating: 13+
Released By: Yen Press
Release Date: March 27th, 2018
MSRP: $13.00
