Like the author, I could have explained my point better, but for now, this is generally my take. I haven't read the novel, so that might give me more insight on their character.
I mean artist, sorry. Or... author too? Basically, whoever drew the flow of the manga.
Can I ask where you read 40 chapters??
So true I just catch up to chap 46 and I was pleasantly surprised even though it's not perfect. Even if the premise of the story is pretty cliché, I was not expecting the commentary on traditionalist society and classic. I was having flashbacks from my history class on the french revolution . I wish remarried dempress did the same but they did not (at least when I dropped it)
They don't just throw a cheap flashback of Ymir's life for one chap and carry on they extend on it. At this point romance is taking a back seat (at least for mc) and I'm not against it.
SPOILER
What surprised me the most was that the duke Orleans was not a perfect king after taking the throne. I really thought the story would be over after he took the throne but not at all. My lil finger is telling me his reign will be as long as the mc's marriage.
I would even say this arc is way more interesting than the previous one. Like the author broke free from the shoujo slop prison and locked in.
I LIVE for the friendship between mc and Ymir. The fated mates was strangely bittersweet, usually you see couples tear each other apart when they face punishment but not in this case, I was like oh they actually did love each other in a weird way.
Like they made me have empathy for this people and I HATED THEM. But I still think they should have punishment. Execution was inevitable and I don't think Ymir can run from it since Orleans is damn crazy too now.
YEEESSS!! HAHA!
I have read up until chapter 43 of this manga, and this is my take on what the story potrays.
I know this isn't the best, but for me, though I do not know how to explain it, this story has been quite a fresh read.
Every action has consequences; every word plays a part. Eremia understands both tradition and the need for modernity to come about. Tradition and culture are part of the people's identity. But the ideals, like misogyny and racism—these are part of what should be changed, erased even. And Eremia understands this. Lord Ostanea is a victim of such traditions; years upon year of hiding because of them do not disappear just because he became high-standing. It is the very reason why he chose to do it. And Freya understands this well, not because she loves him, but because it is human to feel anger, sadness, and love. But again, all of it comes with a price that must never be overlooked.
Sure, the author could have done better in portraying such deep and fragile messages, but it is there. The need for tradition and modernity to co-exist. The need for religion and science to become whole yet still separate concepts.
From how I understand it, no single gender nor race was blamed, and we can see that through Eremia, the main character. It is their circumstances, the society and toxic idealisms built that should be blamed. But that does not mean they are blameless. Individual people acted, and individual egos willed it; that is not blame but fault, a sin that can be redeemed—may it be in life, death, and after.