Afterword - Book 1 - Chapter 59 (Patreon)

Chapter 59: A Grand Honor

(Original Chapter Title: The Emperor's Announcement)

General Mucius. I still giggle at the name—past me was mad with power, and I adore them for it.

Not enough to forgive them for the old chapter title though. It's both boring AND gives away the surprise.

Right, so the penultimate chapter of book 1. By Xaoc, (yeah, yeah, Ranthia-isms have infested me thoroughly) I still kind of can't believe it, but I should save the sap for the next chapter. I've mentioned this before, but back at this stage when I was writing the OG draft I wasn't expecting to ever show it to more than a few friends ever. An ounce of courage finally found me and I joined Selkie's discord which led to this, but for the moment that's not important. What is important is that I never planned multiple books.

This was chapter 29 in the OG draft. It was just a 'the next arc begins' moment. I had to make a few revisions to make it punchier as a book finale—and added in the next chapter for various reasons.

From Ranthia's perspective though, this was the moment where everything that she knows changes. Tertia retired, Vert became a Ranger, and her dreams of being a Ranger were dashed on the rocks of politics. I'd actually seeded this moment back during Ranger Team 13's round. Even in the OG draft, Leoios was competing for a seat in Ranger Command. For various reasons he became ineligible for the seat, and so Patrios rose into power. ...And consequences were had.

And, yes, that Patrios' son in the War Ranger program. You didn't think politics were selfless, did you?

It's not a theme in this chapter, but I want to take this opportunity to touch on 'chaos' for a moment. I've seen readers comment that they think Ranthia's orderly when she speaks of duty and obligation—like here with Statia's plight. I feel like sometimes people forget that Ranthia used to be a [Paladin]. She might not remember her past life, but affectations and beliefs were carried forward, they're something more intrinsic than her chaotic knowledge. Obligations aren't orderly, and neither is a sense of duty—especially when it has Ranthia sticking her head into situations best avoided.

She's entering the war for Statia. For Hylla. For Hunting. For those that she fears would face retribution—not that she entirely believed that Green could truly help her escape. This is all true. But Ranthia hasn't lost agency, she made her choice. She's also entering the war for herself.

Is she doing it for the right reasons? Who can say. I'm sure readers will have their opinions.

See you next time for the FINAL Book 1 chapter afterword!