Afterword
Thank you for picking up Our Last Crusade or the Rise of a New World: Secret File (Last Crusade)!
I think this will be the first time for many of you to read the short stories of Last Crusade.
This is a special volume that has compiled all the Last Crusade short stories serialized in the bimonthly Dragon Magazine from Fantasia Bunko.
Normally, we’d just do a one-shot, but several people have asked for a short story collection, so that’s what we went with. It’s my first one, so I’d be so happy if you enjoyed it!
Also, the stories are essentially divided based on whether they take place in the Empire or Sovereignty, which is a particular feature of Last Crusade.
Iska, the protagonist from the Empire, and Alice, from the Sovereignty.
Because the superpowers are at war, we don’t get to see the everyday lives of Iska and Alice in the Empire and palace, so this Secret File goes behind the scenes of the main narrative. I was able to write about that new aspect of their lives.
So, I’ll summarize each story very quickly.
File 01 “Or the Double Booking Duel” (September 2017)
When the second volume of the main series came out, this short story was serialized in Dragon Magazine.
This story was perfect for those interested in the anime, as it was focused on Iska and Alice’s relationship.
A neutral city that couldn’t make an appearance in the main story shows up, and it gives a peek into why witches and sorcerers are feared in Last Crusade, strengthening the world building.
File 02 “Or the Unavoidable Clash at the Bootcamp?” (July 2018)
Just what types of training do Iska and the rest of Unit 907 do?
This delves into the secrets of the Imperial forces. Though they normally have serious training sessions, at times, they’re subjected to absurd exercises based on Risya or the headquarters’ whims.
There are plans for Commander Pilie to appear again later, so please cheer her on if you see her again!
File 03 “Or Life in a Flower Garden of Women” (May 2019)
What does Iska do when he’s not training?
To address that, this story is about his busy everyday life after training drills.
All he wants to do is spend his days relaxing in the men’s barracks, but Nene and Mismis generally disrupt that.
You’ll also see another side of Risya that you won’t see in the main story.
(Well, really that side of Risya might be the Saint Disciple in her natural element.)
File 04 “Or Alice’s Betrothal War (Her Happily Ever After)?” (July 2019)
Alice is in a panic in the Sovereignty.
She sends every one of her prospective suitors back to their home country unconscious…
Also, I personally like the last conversation between her and the queen.
Since the queen was a problem child in a different way from Alice during her youth, I’d like to write about that in a short story sometime. (And a certain sorcerer would appear as well.)
File XX “Our First Meeting” (New story)
This is a super-secret episode that really exemplifies Secret File.
This is also the true version of events of the scene that appeared in a flashback at the beginning of the third chapter of the first volume of Last Crusade.
I hope you’ll take a look at the beginning of the third chapter of the first volume again.
And also, Iska’s master!
This is where the mysterious previous owner of the astral swords makes his first appearance.
There are plenty more “secrets” packed into this volume that’s only made up of short stories, so I hope you enjoy them!
Secret “Or the Reunion the World Knows Not Of” (New story)
This short story is an epilogue about the master and the Lord.
It seems that the Lord is very forthcoming about sharing secrets with the master, but that’s something to look forward to learning about in the main storyline.
Also, this epilogue is the most recent of the set, as far as chronological order goes. How will their reunion tie into the future of the tenth volume of the main story that’s coming out next?
I hope you’re looking forward to finding out!
…Now, then. That’s enough about this book. Let’s get into announcements next.
The Last Crusade TV anime will be airing in October of 2020!
The broadcast date has finally been decided!
The planning took some time, but the broadcast you’ve been waiting for will come this October!
In addition, more details about the anime are in the process of being revealed to the public, especially about the cast.
Iska (Yusuke Kobayashi)
Aliceliese Lou Nebulis IX (Sora Amamiya)
The two voice actors from the 2018 public audio drama will be reprising their roles as the leads in the anime!
This is a very happy thing, and so reassuring.
And of course, Commander Mismis, Jhin, Nene, Rin, Risya, the queen, and also Iska and Jhin’s teacher will be there!
All the important characters who made an appearance in the short story collection and the main story have started recording.
We’ve got a great lineup, so I hope you’re looking forward to it!
So, on to the most recent bit of anime news.
The official Our Last Crusade or the Rise of a New World account:
(https://twitter.com/kimisen_project)
Updates are planned to be posted there. I hope you’ll take a look at it!
And I’d like to briefly mention my other current series.
The series currently serializing with MF Bunko J is reaching its climax.
Why Does No One Remember My World? (Why Does No One Remember)
The eighth volume of the novel has been published.
The ninth volume, which will be the latest one, will be coming out soon on August 25th. The manga version is also serialized in Monthly Comic Alive, so I hope you’ll support it, too!
Now then…
The afterword is nearing its end too, so I’d like to also take the moment to say some personal thank-yous.
To Ao Nekonabe, who drew another first-rate cover, thank you very much!
The Dragon Magazine cover version of Alice was super wonderful!
And also, my editor Y, who has worked with me since the sixth volume of Last Crusade, has been reassigned.
Though the time we worked together was short, you supported me when we met in person, during the Fantasia reader appreciation event when we made the anime announcement, at the anime script meetings, and during the very important plans regarding the anime and media franchising. I am truly grateful!
And to my new editors O and S, it was very reassuring to have you devoting your all to the short story collection and anime plans immediately after taking over from Y. I hope to work with you further for the future anime broadcast and the exciting developments of the novel!
Next is Last Crusade 10.
A tale about the swordsman Iska and the witch princess Alice.
A formidable enemy stands in Iska and his companions’ way as they attempt to get to the Empire. Meanwhile, Alice faces off against the oldest and most powerful Grand Witch once again.
I hope you’ll give your attention to the even fiercer battles that are raging between the two who have been drawn together.
Well then…
Why Does No One Remember 9 is planned to come out August 25th.
Last Crusade 10 comes out October 20th in Japan.
And…
The anime of Last Crusade will be released in October along with the tenth volume!
I’ll work hard to make sure that both series are exciting for summer and fall of this year, so I hope you’re looking forward to them!
On an evening verging on summer,
Kei Sazane
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