By Aoikou and Enji. Released in Japan as “Yuusha-goroshi no Hanayome” by HJ Bunko. Released in North America by J-Novel Club. Translated by Faye Duxovni.

I think by now most people know that I’m relatively easy to please, and it shows at times in these reviews. And sometimes I can overly gush about things, only to look back later and say “boy, that’s kind of embarrassing now”. I really enjoyed the first volume of this series, and said the best thing about it was the main protagonist. And, on various other social medias, I got pushback from people who were expecting something better, and she really didn’t vibe with her the way that she vibed with me. Honestly, I was actually feeling a bit guilty. So I went into this volume determined to keep a clearer head. And, well, my review is going to be exactly the same. This series has a lot of flaws. But I really, REALLY like the main character. She saves this series in many ways. Despite being driven by a repressed grief into some very ugly choices. Because behind all that cynical narration is someone who cares far too much about people.

Alicia and Cion, having managed to defeat General Heavenfang, are being dispatched to The Holy City, which is currently empty of the biggest holiness, the Pope, as well as most of its knights (guarding the pope). They’re being sent there because someone keeps killing cardinals, and they’re both very strong. When they arrive, they go to great the Saint who is the highest authority there who isn’t the pope. She seems perfect… honestly, a bit too perfect. She gives Alicia the creeps, for some unknown reason. Unfortunately, Alicia also runs into an assassin who has the power of shadows, and who has a resolve to kill anything related to demons – and says that the Saint is a demon. Fortunately, Alicia has her old father figure and mentor there to talk to. Surely he won’t be viciously murdered or anything. that would be terrible! (Sorry for the spoiler, but the guy did all but say “I’m retiring in three days and buying a boat”.)

The best part of this remains Alicia. I’m sorry if other folks don’t like her, but I 100% vibe with someone who things that this is a horrible world and God can’t save you and has stained her hands with blood but still tries to do the right thing and help save people even when it defies all sense. The middle section of the book, after the death of her mentor, is absolute dynamite, as we see her completely snap and almost turn evil, but it remains framed through her bitter, matter-of-fact narration – I was reminded a bit of Sorawo from Otherside Picnic. Unfortunately, the rest of the book struggles to live up to its heroine. Cion remains a cipher, and spends a lot of the climax of the book mind-controlled, which is never great. Lastly, everything that involves sex in this book is awful and pointless, and I hate all of it. It was totally unnecessary.

But I’m still going to read the third book, as I like Alicia, and I want to see if she survives the series. For those who like The Executioner and Her Way of Life and wish there were more series in that vein.