Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken (LN) - Volume 15 - Chapter Aft

AFTERWORD

Once again I was able to deliver Volume 15 to you without any trip-ups.

When I went over the deadline last volume, I might’ve said to myself something like “better be a little more careful next time,” but unfortunately, I was late by around ten days this time as well. I really want to reflect more on that—and next time, I’ll try to be just a little bit more careful than that!

In fact, however, I had actually discussed this issue with my editor, I, from pretty early on.

“I think it might be a little tight.”

“Well, let’s do our best!”

“We can’t make it a ‘to be continued’ thing?”

“That’s pretty much how the last volume was, so I’d like things to wrap up more nicely this time.”

“True. But the page count is kind of…”

“That’s all right! I’ve decided that I no longer care how many pages it is!”

That’s not what I meant! I said to myself at the time, inwardly shrugging.

This volume has the largest cast of characters yet, several of whom are making their first appearance. I know I’m bucking the rules of good storytelling, but I can’t help it, so I just let it slide. That’s why I had to write so much more text for each scene, so I really wanted to break it up in the middle and end it in the next volume…but that got rejected.

“All right. Well, if that’s the case, would you mind considering delaying the release date by a month?”

“Hmm… Well, let’s keep plugging away till the last minute!”

So neither side gave any concessions, and time continued to pass by. I was writing with a lot of energy now, and the word count was already past Volume 14’s.

“How’s it going?”

“Mmm, it really is gonna be tight. At the rate I’m going, I’m probably gonna overshoot the deadline by around ten days.”

“All right. In that case, I’ve made up my mind here.”

“Oh, you mean you’ll delay it to October?”

“No. If we can keep it to ten days, we’ll work it out somehow, so it’ll be released in September still!”

Are you serious? I honestly thought. Like, that’s what you made up your mind about? There was no guarantee that even ten days were enough, but I’s determination was unwavering.

“I think the page count’s going to set another new record…”

“No need to worry about that! Just do your best to make the deadline!”

“…Roger.”

And so, fully defeated, I somehow managed to make it on time. Thanks to that, this is the largest volume yet.

So that’s how we were able to get this out, but I’m anxious to see how people react to it. If you like it, nothing could make me happier.

The content of this book series has now diverged so drastically from the original web novel that it’s no longer an exaggeration to call it a separate work. I’m busy brainstorming for the next volume right now, so keep an eye out for it!

I’d like to express my utmost gratitude to everybody who’s supported and been involved with That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime. I hope that I’ll get to see you all again in the next volume!