Afterword

Hello, I’m Mochitsuki, and I hope the new year is treating you well.

Thank you for picking up the sixth volume of Tearmoon Empire. Also, sorry about the previous volume’s obi strip. It loftily declared that “Part 3 is ending in volume 6!” but, well... Clearly, it didn’t! (cries)

The story does have a natural stopping point, but Mia spent so much time mushroom hustling that we didn’t manage to get there! Therefore, part 3 will actually end in the next volume! I hope you’ll stay with us and keep reading!

I sincerely apologize for Mia’s behavior.

Mia: “...Is it just me, or are you acting like the solution to everything is to just shift all the blame to me?”

Mochitsuki: That’s not true at all. I have no idea why you’d think that. More importantly, volume seven is next, and surprisingly, it’s shaping up to be food-centric, isn’t it?

Mia: “Could you be any more obvious about changing the topic? But what do you mean, the next volume will be food-centric?”

Mochitsuki: Well, the story in this volume revolved around mushroom stew, didn’t it? That suggests... Actually, did you know that a portion of readers are convinced this story should have the “makes you hungry when reading it” tag?

Mia: “My, is that so? Wait, is that because I keep getting fed all sorts of delicious food?”

Mochitsuki: ...Of course not. I have no idea why you’d think that. Moving on, then. The next volume should cover the festivals, both the winter one and the one before summer, so it’ll probably be a feast for the tongue...

Mia: “Oh, that’s right. There was a part where I’m eating a massive snow sculpture made out of ice candy, wasn’t there? And one where I eat through a castle in the woods made out of cake... Just thinking about it is making me excited. I’m looking forward to reliving those delightful memories!”

So, I hope you’ll look forward to the seventh volume, wherein Mia will eat, eat, dance, and eat in a vicious cycle of F.A.T.

Note: This preview of the next volume is ninety-nine percent fiction. But there is a tiny little bit of truth.

Now, some words of appreciation.

As always, I’d like to thank the illustrator, Gilse, for their beautiful artwork. The pair of youngsters on the cover are absolutely adorable!

Thank you to my editor, F, who is always a great help.

Thank you to my family for their ongoing support.

Finally, thank you to all the readers who continue to accompany Mia on her journey.

I hope we’ll meet again in volume seven.