Afterword - Book 1 - Chapter 51 (Patreon)

Chapter 51: Duel & Direction

(Original Chapter Title: Duels & Direction)

I have no idea why the OG draft had Duels pluralized, there was never more than one.

It's kind of funny how this chapter dropped for RR the same day as Chapter 11 of Book 2 did for Patreons. They mirror each other a LOT, but I won't get into the why as of yet.

Ranthia's still crabby and irritable in the wake of everything, and it definitely seeps into a lot of her internal commentary and thought processes here. But she was raised to believe that her Skills and capabilities were the greatest secrets that she had to protect at all costs, if she valued her life.

And then Sentinel Night ordered her to bare everything.

Also we see another one of Ranthia's 'crimes' come to light: Impersonating a Sentinel. We also learn that the surviving members of the rebel leadership attempted to throw her under the bus, likely weaponizing that as proof.

The 'duel' itself probably flows about the same as anyone whose read thus far expects. Ranthia's improved a lot, but Night is in a completely different league. Ranthia just can't land a blow and she burns through her mana meaninglessly. But hey, she got to show off dismembering herself, that's... neat? And she got to learn that the kraken she fought so desperately against wasn't even fully grown!

Then she grabs a quick nap and faces the Convocation itself.

In the OG draft I'd avoided coming up with the "full" names for some of the men, but that didn't make sense in this context. None of them were former slaves or from any other scenario where they'd lack their full names. Also, imo, it makes Secundia only getting a single word more poignant. Relatedly, RIP Bia. I'd originally written just that two former Adventurers had died without identifying them. Now one has been (mis)named. Ranthia knew you well, just not well enough to acknowledge that your name wasn't Bia.

Ranthia is crabby, irritable, and under-rested—which makes it even easier for her to react poorly to Sentinel Silver. This is also where we see a hint of Ranthia's (lack of) motivations for continuing into her second round. Not that anyone really stopped and asked her if she planned to remain a Ranger either way—likely intentional, why encourage your elites to quit after all.

But at least she has Ranger Team 6! What will that be like?