Afterword

Long time no see, everyone. This is Kugane Maruyama.

Here is a story that happened while I was writing a battle scene. I was enacting a motion and my left hand smashed into a cup full of café au lait. Brown liquid splashed everywhere and tears welled up in my eyes. The only saving grace was that not a lot got on the bed and my manuscript didn’t get hit… It might be fun for you to try to guess which scene was the one where I spilled my coffee, like, “This is about where it starts to smell like milk…”

That is the kind of challenge I faced while writing this, Overlord, Volume 2: The Dark Warrior. I hope you enjoyed reading it.

Perhaps you can recommend this story to someone who is sick to death of heroes saving girls? A protagonist could go save a boy now and then, right? It’s gender equality! I do hope you like this protagonist even though he’s crafty and only thinks of his own gains.

From here on, allow me to make some thank-yous:

To so-bin, who drew the fascinatingly beautiful illustrations. It’s amazing how you get them to look even better than the pictures in my mind. The finished illustrations inspired me to rewrite a lot of the battle scenes.

Thanks also to Code Design, who made the wonderful cover and obi wrap. And to proofreader Osako for correcting so many hard-to-read sentences, thanks again. And to F-ta, my editor, sorry for all the trouble. And please give me way more red marks? (No, I get that not having any is better, but…) And to my friend from college, Honey, thanks again.

Most importantly, thanks to everyone who bought this book and everyone who sent me their impressions of the web version. I truly appreciate it. Your comments energize me.

Okay, so the next book…should be easier than this one…right? Looking it over, I don’t get that feeling at all, but… Nah, if I can make something interesting, then I guess this amount of work is worth it… Okay, I think it’s about time to wrap up the whining and say good-bye.

I’ll do my best, so I hope to see you again in the third volume!

Well, then, see you.

KUGANE MARUYAMA

November 2012