Afterword

Hello, everyone. For some of you, it’s probably been a while. Satoru Yamaguchi here.

Thank you for reading volume 9 of My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!

I remember when an editor first contacted me about the story I was uploading online... That was five years ago.

At first I was suspicious, thinking that it was some new kind of scam, but I soon regretted thinking ill of the editor when I was told that they’d be happy to meet me in person.

When I saw the first volume in print, I was so moved. I then saw the second volume and thought that I’d cherish it for the rest of my life. Who would have thought that, five years later, we’d go as far as publishing nine volumes?

And, as volume nine is released in Japan, the anime adaptation will also be broadcast on television. I was already ecstatic at the idea of my story being published, but seeing it turn into an anime is really a dream come true. I can’t wait to see the work that the talented production staff has put into turning My Next Life as a Villainess into an anime.

And all of this is thanks to the readers who have supported this story for so long. I know that I will never be able to thank you enough, but, nonetheless, let me tell you: thank you so, so, so much.

As for the content of this volume, we see Katarina, right after the International Assembly, go on an undercover mission for the Magical Ministry. Together with Sora, Maria, and Larna, she goes to a city called Ocean Harbor to find out more about a young noble girl who was kidnapped.

This is the first time in her (current) life seeing the sea, but she doesn’t let it get to her head too much. She works as a waitress as part of her cover, and does a pretty good job too.

She usually went everywhere with either Maria or Sora, but she realizes that putting herself between the two would make her just like the game’s villainess that she’s always trying not to become.

Will she solve the kidnapping case?

Will she manage not to interfere with other people’s love lives?

You can find out in this volume! And there’s also a certain character coming back.

After the Japanese release of this book, the fifth volume of Nami Hidaka’s manga adaptation is going to come out. It’s time for the Magical Academy! We’ll finally be able to see our beloved novel characters in manga form! I can’t wait!

I want to once again thank Nami Hidaka for the beautiful illustrations, the editors, and everyone whose collaboration made this book a reality.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart,

Satoru Yamaguchi