Hi all,

So the last few updates I've been behind and had to catch up at the last moment, and I'm in that position again. While I could certainly push out another chapter, I feel like I'm back in a place I've been in my previous books where the story suffers if I push it too hard--I don't have time to keep all the characters in mind or do much else than build towards the plot points in the distance. I can do that, but with the partial chapter I already have written for 55, I realize I haven't touched on some of the minor party members, and was about to just... completely ignore their existence, which would require me to retroactively justify it. Which... to be fair, Brothers Jito and Taru are basically hangers on, but not addressing them being there is still not addressing them being there.

I said in a previous author's note that I am approaching an unstable time and will need to take time off from writing, and maybe I just ought to start now. I was half hoping I would be able to reach the end of this book and tie everything together before I do that... but the other side of that coin is that if I get to the end of the book and stop, I very well might not pick up writing the next part of this story for a while. I've already been feeling an urge to go back to another story for a while instead.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

I do absolutely intend to finish this volume, and I don't think I'll have too much trouble finding a good stopping place... but honestly, right now, I'm out of sorts, for reasons that have nothing to do with the story itself. So I think taking a break now might just be for the best. I'll keep working on this, and hopefully get a bit ahead for when I do come back, but no promises on that--I do my best writing when I've got an audience of more than just myself.

Sorry for the delay, and for the last few chapters being a bit weird.

--Sayu