OK, so I posted about what I expected from Volume 20 a couple of days ago. So, what did I actually get?

In broad strokes I was pretty close: Volume 20 was, like the rest of the series, a light, breezy read, although structured more as a set of related short stories than as an actual novel per se.

The general trend of the world was peaceful, as expected, and yes there were more babies for Souma’s family. If not as many as I was predicting.

Naden’s one (and only thus far) daughter Rinoa was a member of the Sea Serpent race, like Excel Walter, and has more or less been adopted by Excel as her apprentice and successor.

On that note… I have questions. Naden did not, in previous volumes, like Excel at all, with “Sea Snake” being about the kindest thing she ever called Excel. Excel’s tendency to flirt with Souma certainly did not help with that.

The short story that deals with Rinoa (or Nowa-chan as she’s usually known) also introduces tabloids to the Realist Hero world, which is an… interesting choice on Dojyomaru’s part. 🙂

Aisha does get pregnant at the very end of the book, but that’s all we get to find out.

Whilst Juno does marry Souma, she doesn’t become a secondary queen, and lives away from the palace. This is something that Liscia basically organises to maximise the happiness of all involved.

It had been clear for a while now but this volume is very explicit that whilst Souma may rule the kingdom, Liscia rules the family (and Souma is happy for her to do so).

Souma himself abdicates in favour of Cian quite early (when the prince is 15 I think), and retires away from the Castle to get out of the way. I get the distinct impression from Cian’s view point scenes that he would be planning on doing so himself as soon as he has a reliable heir to let him get away with it.

There were some surprises in this book, but I’ll try to avoid spoiling any more of them. Overall, this is a fun read very much in a “where are they now” kind of style, with the previous volume (19) being the real end to the main plot of the series.

If you liked what came before, you’ll enjoy this. 🙂