Afterword - Book 1 - Chapter 49 (Patreon)

Chapter 49: Ranger Versus Router II

(Original Chapter Title: Ranger vs Route)

The chapter where Ranthia acknowledges that she's breaking rules!

I wasn't exactly subtle with the hints. Ranthia's status as a Ranger is challenged almost everywhere she went, and it's not just because her armor is wrong. She was supposed to go to Ariminum as a sole survivor, but guilt drove her to continue. To bring about what good she could.

And she did! Most of what she did wasn't interesting enough to make it into a (rather wordy already) chapter. Fences were mended. Minor disputes were mediated. Lost pets were found (this barely made it into the chapter). Elderly folks had heavy furniture moved. Little goods like that were commonplace. But to keep the story flowing I stuck to the bigger things that left more of an impact.

And before anyone says anything, the trans person that Ranthia spoke to is important, yes. It mattered to Ranthia, it mattered to the person, and it will matter to at least some reader someday.

Ranthia's assault against the rebels was fun. I've mentioned this more than once that my writing style is like being a GM in a ttrpg and running Ranthia through a scenario. This embodied that much more literally than most scenes. She and I were almost working directly against one another as I tried to craft a scenario and she broke it. A situation that was overwhelming, but she remained in control. The biggest bone I threw her was NOT having any of the prisoners doing something stupid, which is almost unrealistic. But only almost, a classer thrice your level has a bit more effect than an authority figure does in our world.

That scene might have future relevance, by the way. (Elaborates no further.)

And Vert still wants to be a Ranger! We see a brief glimpse of the fact that Ranthia's been feeling isolated and lonely too, but the two are finally heading to the capital! This arc is approaching its end, but it's not quite done yet.

Actions always have consequences.