Saikyou Mahoushi no Inton Keikaku (LN) - Volume 4 - Chapter Aft

Afterword 

Thank you very much for purchasing this book. 

By the time this book hits the store shelves, we should be very close to the end of the year. And I would like to extend my deep gratitude to those who picked up this book at such a busy time. 

Now then, as 2017 is coming to a close, I experienced an endoscopy for the first time in my life. 

I headed over to the hospital to get some stomach medicine prescribed, and one thing led to another and it just kind of ended up happening. And just to be clear, they found nothing. 

The nurse told me that endoscopes nowadays are thin enough to go through the nose. 

But what she brought out was a tube so thick that I thought it was a tentacle. 

“Hey, where are you going to put that thing in again?” 

“Your nose. What about it?” (Said with a serious face.) 

Well, I’m not humorous enough, so that might be a little exaggerated. It didn’t really go like that, but I experienced something I’m sure to experience more times in the future. 

It was about that time that I realized this job will wear down not just my body, but my mind as well. 

Once again, hello, Izushiro here. 

And I would like to move on to the book itself. 

Spoiler Warning: Those who read the Afterword first, be warned. Please get Felinella’s approval before continuing. If you don’t, you might find yourself stopped by the dorm’s security system. 

Joking aside, how did you like The Greatest Magicmaster’s Retirement Plan, Volume 4? As those who read the web version will know, this volume featured amendments and extra episodes to make it extra hefty. 

This volume featured the introductions of other Single Digit Magicmasters aside from Alus, as well as the build-up for next volume’s tournament. 

Of course, that’s not the main point. The first half of the volume can be described as Tesfia’s feelings and intentions. 

She’s the purest and most innocent of the heroines. Overcoming difficulties to fulfill her dreams and ideals, fumbling around to find herself. 

Tesfia wants to be honest with her feelings, but because of her awkwardness she ends up running around in circles at times, mustering her courage and walking forward while those around her support her. 

While affirming the fetters tying her down due to her noble lineage, she strives for a different future. That’s what makes her Tesfia, and at the same time I believe that’s what makes her an attractive heroine. 

I hope that you can continue to cheer for her in the future as well. 

... Though I guess saying anything further would be spoiling too much. For the details please read the volume itself. 

This series has already reached four volumes. In this volume, the world within the barrier expands as the story begins to develop. 

Then there’s the large number of new characters... 

I hope to get the next volume out quicker, so I await you in that Afterword as well. 

I would like to give thanks to everyone who’s endeavored to bring out this series. 

Thank you very much to Miyuki Ruria-sama for your illustrations despite your tight schedule. There were a lot of new faces this time around, and they’ve all been drawn beautifully and I am very grateful for it. 

Among them, Cicelnia and Rinne honestly exceeded my expectations and you’ve breathed life into them. It’s kind of making me want to give them preferential treatment... I look forward to your work in the next volume too. 

Moving on, I would like to throw in an apology to my editor-in-charge, T-sama. In reality the volume was meant to be a little—well—much thinner. I’ll try my best to keep it shorter for next time! I’d also like to thank the designers, printers and everyone else involved in the making of this volume. 

Finally, I’d like to thank all of the readers. I hope to enjoy your continued patronage. 

While I’m at it, I’d like to make a request. As this volume goes on sale, there is a heroine popularity poll. The heroines in this poll are Loki, Tesfia, Alice and Felinella. 

On top of that, there are also individual heroine side stories available on HF’s official site, yomeru-hj.net, so please feel free to read them. 

Moreover, the poll will be open until December 15. I will of course take the results into consideration for future developments, and it might even affect a portion of the marketing campaign for volume 5. Of course, it all depends on the poll... 

So please consider voting as well. No, really. Please do. 

As for how, please check Hobby Japan’s official Twitter (@Hjbunko), the official blog, or the homepage. 

I haven’t really had an Afterword this long before, so what to write... there’s some behind the scenes things like how Loki came about, but I suppose that won’t work considering the space remaining. 

So how about a little on the next volume... The fifth volume should be a big turning point both story-wise and character-wise, and I’ll do my best to make sure it will be in your hands by next spring. So please continue supporting me.

—Izushiro