I marinated this long ago and and I've just finished this.
Its plot is interesting as it has its own twist of the regressor troupe. Its just okay. Most of the time I'd wish to already finish this and its not as compelling. There's this itch I cant scratch while reading this.
Is it the art? Its incredibly cute for a plot that's far from easy and direct.
Anyhow, this is just so-so. Good for killing the time.
And this is PEAK. This storytelling, mood and character developments are so *chefs kiss. I love how the otherwordly art bring out the emotions, the themes and beauty of their expressions. Even the backstories are delivered perfectly. The angst, the yearning, the conviction yada yada. Ugh I may run out of words to describe it but I'm sure y'all get me.
Also DISCLAIMER: I have discussed religious matters if you are uncomfortable with this, feel free to not proceed.
Now as for the Church vs the Empire. This story shows how important it is that both are not to be mixed. I myself am Christian tho I belong to a different denomination but the empire can deal all the legalities a nation has with its subjects. The church can handle the faith of its people but it is sacred, it does not need to interfere with the seculars. I mean, that part where they declared a holy trial against shuri and their house was an extreme example of the church's corrupt meddling power when it had been a baseless accusation as they had no clear evidence altho we know it was also for them so that they could take reign with that powerhouse and gain even more control against the royal family and other nobles. The empire also does not have the jurisdiction to take control with what's sacred. Faith is spiritual and one's devotion to divinity is another matter, it has no room for worldly affairs. Like how the Lord said that "what's for Ceasar's is for Ceasar's and what's mine is mine", or if anyone knows the referenece for that.
As for the relationships, from what I understand, it seems Ludovica has been the center of Johannes and the emperor (romantic rivals), the empress, duke albrecht and even heidi's lives, esp the crown prince (as mother but deceased). They totally project her into Shuri, and we know why she has come to the current point. It was shown Johannes could not settle even after when Ludovica passed for 10 yrs, showing reget for not taking her for himself instead of her going to the emperor. He took the chance when he saw shuri and it might have been to show the emperor that maybe this time he has 'her' instead of him. I feel bad for Shuri having to go through all of this when she suffered his abuse together with the earlier contempt of her 'children'. She does not deserve all of this.
As for the cardinal, I like how profound his character is and how he portrays the early Chief priest who repeatedly rebuked the Lord for his actions. He displayed qualities as someone who is devout but he had 'twisted' ideals that his way of doing things no matter how underhanded is necessary for the increase of believers. He was the same to those biblically that he want the believers to follow what is dictated and not to question holy authority. Biblical priests also show how they 'tipped' the one aspotle to capture the Lord. Altho it was direct unlike how Cardinal richelieu did, it was for the downfall of a other.
I didnt like how other manhwas shallowly portrayed the church to be the 'dark force' against the main characters. If they were to do so, it has to be at this caliber. The story's execution of the church showing their power against the characters is just amazing. Not that I am in favor that the church is always 'evil' in manhwas tho.
Anyhow, this is all for my TED Talk. I just wanted to express that I felt things when reading this. I also want to comment on other things like shuri and norra's romance, jeremy and norra's friendship etc but it'll be too long.
For anyone wanting to read this, I cannot recommend this enough. The story and its art is incredibly beautiful.
Idc if its a reupload. Pls finish the translation for this one. Its already completed in raws
Huhuhu vincent so cuteee. I wish we could've seen oriana in his perspective too
Read this long ago but never finished cuz I wanted to read this as complete.
The angst in this one is just *chefs kiss. I LOVE how it was not rushed in showing the "getting hurt" and "getting healed" processes. I've been looking for stories that shows these but for now this takes the cake.
I've already read Betrayal of Dignity, What it means to be you yada yada but I wasn't satisifed. It must be 'cus of how either the ML did not suffer enough or that both MCs were suicidal and communication was the last thing they'd do even if they cross the river styx. I get it if they both want to unalive themselves repetitively but I want the progress of them getting to the part that they 'heal' too. I doubt people would stay suicidal if the people surrounding them do everything at their disposal and help them get through things, this includes roughly manhandling the suicidal MCs just to preventh their deaths. It may take a long time but things get better with time. I am not disregarding the weight of suicide but there's a lot of cases the previous suicidal victims who recovered later on that they were grateful of the external forces (people around them, circumstances etc) that prevented their end. Anyhow my point is, other stories have only GLOSSED over these details. It cant be helped then if other stories could not properly expand on these if their series have been axed or that the artists need to finish them at a specific number of chaps only.
So if anyone's planning to read this for angst plot, this is def a recommend
Btw, translation and qual is not the best especially from the beginning but its bearable later on.
Here comes the unneeded and selfish characters who thinks for themselves. If Anna wouldn't have the need of the cure of the lulu cold, their coming to her house is incredibly unnecessary.
Story is just okay, its not that bad but its not so great either. If you want to read smth not too complicated, this one's a recommendation.
Pet peeve tho, is like any other rofan, there are parts where FL NEEDS to be the bait for their plans to succeed when its clearly dangerous. She has already proven her worth, her wisdom and so forth but there's a limit to being reckless. Im sure there are other ways but no, FL needs to take part for the war.
Anyhow, aside from that part, story's fine.
I have now read to the latest and one thing I can say is, Man's pathetically competent lmao. The artstyle is unique and the way the artist draws their expression bothers me but at least it perfectly conveys ML's pathetiques . He's so baby coded, I've had a few second hand embarassment lmao. Still, this is fresh from the usual cold emotionless CEOs in manhwas.
I commend FL for trying to hold out from the pathetic man's advances but then again its his dramatic flairs combined with his perfect face that won her lmao.