What a great gaiden this was! Now all that’s left is them plot holes to be resolved in the last chapter! 😇
Surely 30 pages will be enough!
It does seem, as if Soo Won might play a little role in the next chapter - hopefully. Indeed. It is blind fate in Hak´s case and this would lead literally to the other extreme again.
They need Soo Won. And information. So it seems Zeno, Lily and Ogi might play a role. How she will try to fit this in 30 pages...I don´t know.
The plot holes I listed are mostly unrelated and should’ve happened as separate scenes.
* Ogi has been dreaming of Soo-won coming to him since forever. Plus Soo-won has been sitting in his room for months it appears, when is he coming out at all?
* Lili got the hairpin so it should have reappeared for some mysterious purpose at the end.
* Lili and Soo-won? Their “friendship” is still quite weird since Lili didn’t even come to him since her friendship declaration (2 months ago) and he was the one waiting for her now.
* Hak and Soo-won never talked after everything that happened despite obvious foreshadowing.
* Zeno for now is either getting drunk or sleeping (in Yona’s bed lol), it can’t go on forever. What will he do with his life tho after wishing to die for hundreds of years? (an open ending for him doesn’t work, he is yet to find a path of his own like the other dragons did).
* The marriage between Hak and Yona is the most obvious thing to happen too, and yet they’re not engaged even.
Random question but where’s Hiyori? Did he die after all or what happened?😅
How will they fit it in one chapter? They won’t, it’s impossible so idk what we’ll witness🤧
The plot holes I listed are mostly unrelated and should’ve happened as separate scenes.
Not all is unrelated actually...Hak is led a little astray...as he is a strong believer, but he cannot see Yona and her work in any way critical...Yona has problems, but Hak and his "blind belief" does not really help much
Soo Won can and could help, but he has to grasp the little bit, what Hak brings and this information might be completely distorted. This guy once went out himself, but currently Soo Won refuses to gather information himself. When people know, who he is, the guy runs.
Right now, all their weaknesses are playing wonderfully together. Soo Won avoids situations, Hak has a contorted point of view and Yona is trying to learn, but gets no chance.
Lily is currently visiting Ogi a lot...partly most likely she worries for Soo Won. Soo Won more or less repelled her the last time and she was rather timid...similar to how she behaved, when she was "in love with Geuntae". Undoubtly she has feelings for him, but she is - like Soo Won himself- so completely careful.
And Ogi? This guy is an information broker!! Most likely Lily gets to attain the information Soo Won does not get, because Soo Won always runs, when he is hurt. The wound King Il has inflicted on him, as he was a child, obviously goes deep.
In regard to relationships Soo Won is so completely unsure...it is painful to watch.
Zeno is Mr. "Missed Opportunity" in the literal sense.
How many things can he currently mourn, that he just let slip between his fingers? Most likely more than he can count. Zeno has the same weakness as Soo Won. The bird flees, when danger is on the horizon. He has never visited Guen, not even now does he visit Kija, even though that guy has repeated the invitation from 2000 years ago.
And I can promise you one thing: It is very likely, that Zeno wishes to help Soo Won. Very, very likely. (He might believe, that Soo Won is unbelievably strong..., but he is wrong.)
And in all this comes Nene - Lily´s mother. Most likely Soo Won would like to interfer, but is hindered...I wonder, how Nene perceives Soo Won...like a younger version of her husband, most likely. Somebody, who is not very trustworthy (she thinks, just like Jon Gi) and he is near her daughter and maybe she thinks, she has to protect Yona as well. Trauma ahoj. Soo Won is especially weak in regard to mothers, after all. Nene´s trauma must be horribly.
Despite this...Lily is great at mobilising people. Not always, but very often when Soo Won had a victory, it was all thanks to Lily´s infliuence. If it was the Water Tribe Arc, Kin Province or even Sei.
She could kick Zeno out of his stupor, if she considers it the right time. Or has a reason for it. Maybe she talks with him about the real statue of things (Ogi´s influence)...Zeno would have been horrified...He is not exactly a great fan of King Il. (It fits that the North Kai Emperor comes up...the blood obsession of King Il and his blind belief could play a role here).
It could be that Zeno fears, that they repeat the same mistake, he has made 2000 years ago...to choose blind belief. And belief in gods would be the last he would desire. His belief was entirely shattered, after all. This is why, he is currently has such a hard time. This and being lonely. He calls himself by his name again.
It could be that Lily has to face her own mother in order to grow up.
I wonder, if the former "dragon warriors" tag along to visit Yona at least. Hak is not wrong, that they have a bond, but he often perceives circumstances "too simple", while Soo Won has the tendency to "complicate" matters.
Maybe it could become something...Let´s see.
Oh that’s a whole story you’re describing there, I’d be happy with those moments to be presented as separate ones. Not like we’re getting anything at this point.
Hak is led a little astray
Like always and I suppose it won’t ever change
Soo Won can and could help, but he has to grasp the little bit, what Hak brings and this information might be completely distorted.
What information do you mean?
Lily is currently visiting Ogi a lot...partly most likely she worries for Soo Won.
If she was so worried for Soo-won, she would’ve been visiting him more but apparently she does it minimally (unless we weren’t shown that she has been hanging out with him this whole time). Ogi himself worries about Soo-won, Lili goes to him for information (and some fun).
Soo Won more or less repelled her the last time and she was rather timid...similar to how she behaved, when she was "in love with Geuntae".
Wouldn’t say it’s like that yet, she seemed mostly chill to me. I think if she was in love she’d be embarrassed to say she worried about him openly. Though I did sense some kind of awkwardness on the air in that scene, dunno if it’s so. The fact that Lili stopped blushing and stuttering before Geun-tae is a fact though, that says smth.
Soo Won always runs, when he is hurt
True. That’s why I wanted to see him leave his “safe place” and go see Ogi since he was pretty scared of doing it this whole time. And most likely Lili should’ve been the one to take him there since she appears as the bridge between him and Ogi. The hairpin could’ve popped up there too. Two birds with one stone.
He has never visited Guen, not even now does he visit Kija, even though that guy has repeated the invitation from 2000 years ago.
Oooh actually this could be a good starting point for Zeno, go visit the dragons himself unlike how scared he was to do it last time. Because last time he feared to see them old while he was unchanged, now he can stop fearing that. Like that he could start traveling himself, maybe meet a girl again and so on.
It is very likely, that Zeno wishes to help Soo Won.
I sooo wanted Soo-won and Zeno to have a talk too😭. They are literal mirrors of one another in so many things and they fought together against monsters! Soo-won saw Zeno’s terrible powers (like he wanted), Zeno hurt Soo-won too accidentally. Zeno I think warmed up to him quite a lot. There’s for sure a lot they could tell each other.
I wonder, how Nene perceives Soo Won
Oh I’d also love to know that, I wanted her to interact with him at the coronation. I’m not sure of she’s even coming to the palace now though, according to spoilers she has been at the coronation so idk why would she come now. But would be great.
She could kick Zeno out of his stupor, if she considers it the right time.
lol the way she just grabbed him by the collar and made him carry baskets when he was about to go casually kill himself was iconic. Lili unlike Yona wouldn’t mother him, if she saw him fooling around, she’d either find him a job or just kick him out haha
Oh that’s a whole story you’re describing there, I’d be happy with those moments to be presented as separate ones. Not like we’re getting anything at this point.
Well, we wll get something or she would not describe people, who are not quite content. Nene wouldn´t come. But this all feels rather as more than one more chapter. How would she even force everything in? I don´t understand it.
The pacing is really off.
Like always and I suppose it won’t ever change
Hak is loyal and kind, but being critical is not exactly his ome turf.
What information do you mean?
Reliable information about the statue of things. I guess, this was one of his tasks. But his description will be a little bit off, I guess.
I hoped, that Ogi and Lily, who visits him often are pulled in, somehow got a little screen time. Zeno is staying near them.
If she was so worried for Soo-won, she would’ve been visiting him more but apparently she does it minimally (unless we weren’t shown that she has been hanging out with him this whole time). Ogi himself worries about Soo-won, Lili goes to him for information (and some fun).
Lily appears to be relatively sensitive and the last time did appear to make her unsure, if he even wanted to see her. After all, the idiot has not said, she should visit him again or something. Maybe she thought she would rather disturb him.
I wouldn´t think so, that she merely goes for fun. When she could not visit Hiryuu castle, she also tended to visit him often. I agree, that she does it for information. In a way she took over Soo Won´s role a little.
But I guess, she also has a promise to keep with Ogi.
Wouldn’t say it’s like that yet, she seemed mostly chill to me. I think if she was in love she’d be embarrassed to say she worried about him openly. Though I did sense some kind of awkwardness on the air in that scene, dunno if it’s so. The fact that Lili stopped blushing and stuttering before Geun-tae is a fact though, that says smth.
She was far more timid as she used to be. Something has definitely changed in her. Before she hardly ever realized that she worried for him. And his answer was strange. It does seem as if something in their relationship had changed at least.
Why "friends" worry for each other? It isn´t as if she had told him, she loved him. There was still pretense on both sides. Though more on his side than on hers.
True. That’s why I wanted to see him leave his “safe place” and go see Ogi since he was pretty scared of doing it this whole time. And most likely Lili should’ve been the one to take him there since she appears as the bridge between him and Ogi. The hairpin could’ve popped up there too. Two birds with one stone.
Well, he worries for Hak. Maybe he does leave his safe place again. This guy has hesitated up until now, but maybe this motivates him to go finally out.
Oooh actually this could be a good starting point for Zeno, go visit the dragons himself unlike how scared he was to do it last time. Because last time he feared to see them old while he was unchanged, now he can stop fearing that. Like that he could start traveling himself, maybe meet a girl again and so on.
Indeed. It should have been Zeno, who travels to the dragon warriors and back. I think more than a girl, this guy needs a task. He has lost much in the process and is now without powers for the first time in 2000 years.
However, I do think, he might also play a role in the following event. As he has the experience from last time, where he also chose blind belief in the gods. Maybe, maybe...
I sooo wanted Soo-won and Zeno to have a talk too😭. They are literal mirrors of one another in so many things and they fought together against monsters! Soo-won saw Zeno’s terrible powers (like he wanted), Zeno hurt Soo-won too accidentally. Zeno I think warmed up to him quite a lot. There’s for sure a lot they could tell each other.
They most likely will at some point. They are both hurting right now. Zeno needs a task, Soo Won needs new officials. And both need friends. No reason, why they should not become this for each other. Nothing stands against Zeno actually learning and contributing in that sense. He has a lot of knowledge, after all.
Oh I’d also love to know that, I wanted her to interact with him at the coronation. I’m not sure of she’s even coming to the palace now though, according to spoilers she has been at the coronation so idk why would she come now. But would be great.
I hope, that she would mean a little drama. But for this we would need more chapters. Soo Won resembles most likely her "husband"/"lover". Whatever Jon Gi did, it has hurt her deeply. It has been years since then apparently.
So I would enjoy it, if Lily had really face her mother a little for Soo Won. It would be kind of cute.
lol the way she just grabbed him by the collar and made him carry baskets when he was about to go casually kill himself was iconic. Lili unlike Yona wouldn’t mother him, if she saw him fooling around, she’d either find him a job or just kick him out haha
Nothing can stop Lily, if she wishes something. Not even Soo Won. And Zeno had to literally flee to get away from her. She was also more than aware, that Zeno was lying. Like Soo Won he has the tendency not to tell the truth.
But this all feels rather as more than one more chapter. How would she even force everything in? I don´t understand it.
This feels as another two volumes at least. The pacing, the events, the focus on casual events and introductions of new characters were all weird here. They said “here starts the new kingdom of Kouka” to finish it in two chapters? Idk…
Whatever we get next chapter, it can’t fit much while basically all of these moments are necessary for closure. And those are just the ones that I find important, surely there are more things under-told. Either Zeno will not be shown, or the Soo-won and Hak will never talk to each other again, or Lili will disappear again. Lili and Soo-won are not getting together in 1 chapter either, they only just became official friends. Soo-won is staying confined in his room forever?
Because if it’s the end then surely the chapter will be about Yona and Hak reunion and announce engagement or whatever. I can’t even imagine their marriage happen now because they’re not yet engaged, it will be expected ofc but abruptly shown in 2-3 pages?
She was far more timid as she used to be. Something has definitely changed in her. Before she hardly ever realized that she worried for him. And his answer was strange. It does seem as if something in their relationship had changed at least.
There’s something changed about her, yes. She did barge in even though he told her “kindly” leave so she’s not too considerate still but maybe indeed she didn’t like his reaction to her visit. It would be funny if Yona asked Lili if she’s going to see Soo-won and Lili says “nah he doesn’t want to probably” and Yona is like “girl he was waiting for you last time”. I mean Yona and Meinyan know now soo…it could’ve played out.
I just don’t get why the tension if they’re just platonic. Why can’t Lili visit him more with their usual banters even though she worries, why does he now wait for her secretly when it wasn’t the case before. Since they decided on being friends, they should’ve become closer but for some reason there’s distance. I sense the new feeling of “longing” between them which wasn’t there before. First she waited for him and worried quite emotionally, now he waits for her to come to him. After all Soo-won is not waiting for Ogi whom he also may miss but her. But in 1 chapter what can be explained or shown?🫠
I wouldn´t think so, that she merely goes for fun.
Not merely ofc, I think she went mainly for information but at the same time she must have enjoyed Ogi’s company and the casual ambiance at his place.
Well, he worries for Hak. Maybe he does leave his safe place again.
I do hope he doesn’t go out only because of Hak though I must say it’s sounds likely. Hak is Soo-won’s “right hand” after all, figuratively and literally now.
It should have been Zeno, who travels to the dragon warriors and back. I think more than a girl, this guy needs a task.
Maybe you’re right. But I would say he actually needs acceptance and freedom more than a task. He’s been carrying responsibility and playing roles for far too long. First a dragon warrior, then he was a priest, then a lonely wanderer waiting for a new Hiryuu, then a dragon warrior playing a double game to die.
Despite being alive for 2000 years he never had the chance to live just as a human being, for himself (just like Soo-won). He should finally accept that he is not immortal anymore and find courage to head out just like his other “brothers” and live the life as he wants himself. As for the girl…his heart was broken after Kaya died, I’d wish for him to find a new love to heal that. Maybe he’ll meet her reincarnation lol
So I would enjoy it, if Lily had really face her mother a little for Soo Won. It would be kind of cute.
Absolutely. Lili’s mother is practically what I expected her to be, she seems very confident, sassy and independent. I for sure did not expect the haircut though haha, I guess everyone except for Lili in this manga get their hair cut after stress😅
This feels as another two volumes at least. The pacing, the events, the focus on casual events and introductions of new characters were all weird here. They said “here starts the new kingdom of Kouka” to finish it in two chapters? Idk…
At least like 10 if not 20 more chapters. If she truly wished to end it, she should have forgotten the first chapter of the gaiden, focused on the second with the new wings. Instead of this third chapter a Hak and Yona wedding. The fourth chapter would show us their kids and the future.
Why does she bring in "friction" instead of glorious, sweet moments as you would expect from a gaiden of 4 chapters? I don´t get it...
Instead we have people, who are not content, Yona obviously being clueless and Hak - wonderfully - demonstrates how truly delusional he is. Zeno is depressive and Soo Won is also so lonely that you could touch his pain with hands.
Lily finally shows a first demonstration of her care for Soo Won, just to never visit him afterwards. Should she not have shown, that those two occasionally meet?
She brings in Lily´s mother and even shows us part of Lily´s, Nene´s and Jon Gi´s history. I mean it was nice to know, who would follow Geuntae .
But why the discontent? Why this misery...in the second to last chapter? Do we maybe get really a spin-off?
Whatever we get next chapter, it can’t fit much while basically all of these moments are necessary for closure. And those are just the ones that I find important, surely there are more things under-told.
You might laugh, but I have wondered for some time, why the Wind Tribe used to be so weak in the past. Why did she make an extra chapter hinting to something like this?
What has happened to Hiyoori? Has he just gone back to Soo Won´s side.
I am dying to know, what Soo Won is thinking and feeling right now. About all the events involved. I would have also wished to know more about the night of the coup.
Kashi. Why did she run from her daughter, while even Yu hon, King Il and Yon hi faced Yona?
What about Iksoo? Why did we not see him again?
Because if it’s the end then surely the chapter will be about Yona and Hak reunion and announce engagement or whatever. I can’t even imagine their marriage happen now because they’re not yet engaged, it will be expected ofc but abruptly shown in 2-3 pages?
That would be more than weird. Rushing back to the castle, just to have the wedding...There are lots of problems.
They should have just jumped a few years...until Yona becomes this great amazing queen.
But honestly, it appears as if Kusanagi wishes to make a point, that Soo Won is not only needed, but needs help.
There’s something changed about her, yes. She did barge in even though he told her “kindly” leave so she’s not too considerate still but maybe indeed she didn’t like his reaction to her visit. It would be funny if Yona asked Lili if she’s going to see Soo-won and Lili says “nah he doesn’t want to probably” and Yona is like “girl he was waiting for you last time”. I mean Yona and Meinyan know now soo…it could’ve played out.
It would be hilarious. But where do you place the "heart to heart" between Lily and Yona? In the last 30 pages?
The former dragon warriors might also need to reappear.
I just don’t get why the tension if they’re just platonic. Why can’t Lili visit him more with their usual banters even though she worries, why does he now wait for her secretly when it wasn’t the case before. Since they decided on being friends, they should’ve become closer but for some reason there’s distance. I sense the new feeling of “longing” between them which wasn’t there before. First she waited for him and worried quite emotionally, now he waits for her to come to him. After all Soo-won is not waiting for Ogi whom he also may miss but her. But in 1 chapter what can be explained or shown?🫠
Indeed. Soo Won and Lily have more couple signs than anything else. This guy had even embraced her before, even when it was to protect her.
But yes, why the fricking dissonance? I don´t get it. If you wish to end a manga and have only 4 chapters left, you try to fulfill the fans wishes. But she just doesn´t, but shows us plot points that may lead a little farther away from the "happy ending", we all expect to see.
Why did Lily not visit him, like she should? They could have come closer from the first chapter and than either stayed friends or ended up as couple...Instead Soo Won appears heartbroken, longing to see her and Lily? She hyperfocuses on Yona, who has basically next to no time anymore.
Maybe you’re right. But I would say he actually needs acceptance and freedom more than a task. He’s been carrying responsibility and playing roles for far too long. First a dragon warrior, then he was a priest, then a lonely wanderer waiting for a new Hiryuu, then a dragon warrior playing a double game to die.
Zeno has an inherent wish to care for others. His true wish was for people to become happy. Maybe there are people, who are truly happy, when they can only care for themselves, but Zeno is the type of person that "needs" to care for others.
After all, he was sighing, drunk, that he has nothing to do and that Meinyan and Val were able to "live like they wanted", when they told him of their task.
It would be great, if Zeno was the laisser-faire kind of person that could just live without a greater aim...but this guy wishes to do something. It is a little...Yona is finally queen, but he can basically not help anymore, as he has lost his powers.
It appears, that beside being lonely, Zeno suffers from depression, because he has nothing great to do...Most likely he is working in the town, doing "odd jobs". This guy has vanished for a whole week, because he did not know, what to do with his life.
Zeno was telling us the last chapter, that "his great task" was waking Yona up.
So yes, It does not strike me, that he is so happy, to have nothing to do.
Despite being alive for 2000 years he never had the chance to live just as a human being, for himself (just like Soo-won). He should finally accept that he is not immortal anymore and find courage to head out just like his other “brothers” and live the life as he wants himself. As for the girl…his heart was broken after Kaya died, I’d wish for him to find a new love to heal that. Maybe he’ll meet her reincarnation lol
I would wish this for him as well, but I would also wish for him feeling useful again. This guy has a knowledge of 2000 years. He does not need to butcher himself up to achieve anything.
With reason Soo Won could provide him a pretty good education. While I do think it is nice, if he could visit the dragon warriors, Zeno has been without a home for far too long. The only home he ever had was Hiryuu Castle.
But I am still for him meeting her "reincarnation". Those two were so great togehter.
Absolutely. Lili’s mother is practically what I expected her to be, she seems very confident, sassy and independent. I for sure did not expect the haircut though haha, I guess everyone except for Lili in this manga get their hair cut after stress
Amazing, isn´t it? Looks interesting though. I would have not believed, that she is so stylish. Lily appears to be a good mix of her parents.
By the way, do you think, that she loved Geuntae, because he reminded her of her mother? She does seem to be a real power house.
Why does she bring in "friction" instead of glorious, sweet moments as you would expect from a gaiden of 4 chapters? I don´t get it…
Precisely. I don’t understand why is she stopping her story on Yona struggling as a new queen, still incompetent to rule without Soo-won’s advice, changes in the earth tribe because of a new leader, trouble in the wind tribe, Hak away gathering info, Soo-won drinking tea confined to his room, Zeno stagnant in a comatose state and etc.
Don’t get me wrong, all of those points are naturally realistic to the current state of the characters, only two months passed after all, and I’m glad we were shown such things. My question is how will the final gaiden chapter solve all this and give us a feeling of closure? I cannot imagine cause it’s just not possible😅
Lily finally shows a first demonstration of her care for Soo Won, just to never visit him afterwards. Should she not have shown, that those two occasionally meet?
Exactly. If they’re not becoming a couple and are staying friends why are they not behaving as friends, why don’t they see each other frequently like before?
She brings in Lily´s mother and even shows us part of Lily´s, Nene´s and Jon Gi´s history. I mean it was nice to know
My question is why did she even bother bring it up if she didn’t plan to uncover something about this shady past of Joon-gi? Or use it for the plot? Like ok cool story but so what?😅
why the Wind Tribe used to be so weak in the past. Why did she make an extra chapter hinting to something like this?
Right why introduce a new problem now that everything is ending. I mean I get it, there will always be problems in the country so she’s just showing it realistically. But I guess this concrete info was given now to try find a solution and Hak next chapter will for sure report the state of affairs to Yona and/or Soo-won. Actually I think this is how the Soo-won/Hak talk could start. But then on what is the manga ending I’m sorry?
What has happened to Hiyoori? Has he just gone back to Soo Won´s side.
That’s what I’m wondering too, he was gravely injured and was worried for Soo-won, wanted to see him. And after he did we never saw him again. What happened to him then?
Kashi. Why did she run from her daughter, while even Yu hon, King Il and Yon hi faced Yona?
I was so curious about that moment because it was super weird she didn’t turn around to face Yona. The woman is so shady
What about Iksoo? Why did we not see him again?
Oh right I forgot about him! I was so sure we’d see him again in the final arc or after but…
That would be more than weird. Rushing back to the castle, just to have the wedding...There are lots of problems.
Yup that’s what I’m thinking too but I can’t imagine this manga ending without showing the wedding since there’s a lot of talk about it even in the story. Tae-joon was relieved by no wedding invitation, Jae-ha asked Hak about the wedding if I remember correctly. But at this moment Yona is super busy and there are many problems in the kingdom and uncertain stuff going on with the characters. And now Hak should come back and they get married? I struggle to imagine that.
I don’t have hope for any continuation but I can’t imagine how will she wrap everything up. If it’s really final then it won’t be pretty.
It would be hilarious. But where do you place the "heart to heart" between Lily and Yona? In the last 30 pages?
I don’t know how anything can be placed in 30 pages expect for a few insignificant scenes🤷♀️. It will be a “we’ll overcome anything as long as we’re together!”, then they kiss with rings on their fingers and the end. That’s what it will be like if it’s the end.
They could have come closer from the first chapter and than either stayed friends or ended up as couple...Instead Soo Won appears heartbroken, longing to see her and Lily? She hyperfocuses on Yona, who has basically next to no time anymore.
Yes yes, agreed. If they’re just friends then what’s the problem of showing Lili visit both him and Yona, them chatting lightly and laughing as before just with the official “friends” hashtag now. But yes, instead Soo-won appears abandoned and sad peculiarly longing for Lili after her visit, while she hangs out with Ogi and Yona but not him. Like if you’re friends, why are you not really friends? What’s going on and what is this leading to?
It would be great, if Zeno was the laisser-faire kind of person that could just live without a greater aim. It appears, that beside being lonely, Zeno suffers from depression, because he has nothing great to do
Actually I wouldn’t say so. Soo-won is the one depressed because all his great aims and plans are gone as he was living for them, and now he is lonely, broken and full of regrets. Zeno never had any great aim of changing the world or whatever. He didn’t even know what being a dragon warrior meant when he accepted it. He wanted to be helpful, yes, but I don’t think it’s something that drove him.
Ever since he discovered his power, Zeno was driven by one thing - get rid of his curse (so die) and preferably free the other dragon warriors and descendants who were dying pointlessly in the cycle. Now he achieved it but didn’t expect he’d live after achieving it so he just doesn’t know what to do anymore.
Zeno doesn’t strike me as a person who’d only be satisfied if he had a grand role that would be helpful to other people. Unlike Soo-won, Zeno is more carefree and is capable of enjoying the small things in his life: tasty food, a warm bed, new clothes, having fun casually, getting drunk, etc. Small joys. Especially now he can feel things he couldn’t feel before.
Zeno did not belong to himself his whole life, for hundreds of years he served as a living shield for other people because that was his power. He lived for other people quite enough. He is no noble, no royal, not bound by anything anymore. Now I think it’s time he lived for himself, he needs to explore and live the life he got. He just needs a push to start.
Kija is a good example of moving on completely. He must have lost his meaning too when the dragon bond broke. Since birth he didn’t have any other opinion other than living to serve Yona, that was what he believed to live and die for. He could’ve stayed with her, Yona wouldn’t cast him out if he did. But he left and is now living for himself, travelling and enjoying his new life. That’s what I wish for Zeno too.
By the way, do you think, that she loved Geuntae, because he reminded her of her mother?
Lili’s mother reminds me of captain Gigan a bit actually but I need to read what she says and how.
Lili…I don’t think her crush is based on anything deep tbh. Geun-tae she found “hot” according to her words, typical teen crush logic I’d say. Rather than him resembling her mother, maybe as Lili was angry at her father for cheating on her mother she instinctively crushed on Geun-tae because he was the complete opposite of her father?
Precisely. I don’t understand why is she stopping her story on Yona struggling as a new queen, still incompetent to rule without Soo-won’s advice, changes in the earth tribe because of a new leader, trouble in the wind tribe, Hak away gathering info, Soo-won drinking tea confined to his room, Zeno stagnant in a comatose state and etc. Don’t get me wrong, all of those points are naturally realistic to the current state of the characters, only two months passed after all, and I’m glad we were shown such things. My question is how will the final gaiden chapter solve all this and give us a feeling of closure? I cannot imagine cause it’s just not possible
Am I the next Hak, when I hope for a spin-off? Like this really sounds like an entire arc. Of at least 10 chapters. Not like the last chapter. She had only 4 chapters!
Like you said, the sad thing is, that this all is a really realistic turn of events. I had expected to see 4 chapters of sweet moments and Hak and Yona wedding.
Exactly. If they’re not becoming a couple and are staying friends why are they not behaving as friends, why don’t they see each other frequently like before?
How does she just try to solve this mess? Like she created more tension instead of reducing it, as you usually do at the end of a story. I would have even enjoyed it, seeing Soo Won´s and Lily ´s little banter, the back-and forth.
Instead they met once and this was it. To become never-to-see-you-again friends.
My question is why did she even bother bring it up if she didn’t plan to uncover something about this shady past of Joon-gi? Or use it for the plot? Like ok cool story but so what?
Indeed. I mean, it is nice, that we know a little more. But Lily´s mother could have been just very occupied as a merchant. Therefore we have never seen her...ect. Why bring in the drama with Jon Gi´s unfaithfulness? What is the purpose of the whole drama?
Right why introduce a new problem now that everything is ending. I mean I get it, there will always be problems in the country so she’s just showing it realistically. But I guess this concrete info was given now to try find a solution and Hak next chapter will for sure report the state of affairs to Yona and/or Soo-won. Actually I think this is how the Soo-won/Hak talk could start. But then on what is the manga ending I’m sorry?
Would be even great, if all three talked a little bit. But Hak and Soo Won are nice, too. But still it is surprising that this was pushed to the last chapter in the entire manga.
That’s what I’m wondering too, he was gravely injured and was worried for Soo-won, wanted to see him. And after he did we never saw him again. What happened to him then?
I think, this guy is the only bodyguard Soo Won has even left...The others appear to be dead.
I was so curious about that moment because it was super weird she didn’t turn around to face Yona. The woman is so shady
Exactly! Even Yu hon, who might have wished to kill Yona, faced her at the end. But Kashi? The loving mother? She had run off. Why the heck did she even add this. It was near the end, so she could have just made all 4 lovingly looking at Yona.
Kusanagi must have know, that she had hardly any chapters left. Why drive some fans wild with such suggestions?!!
Oh right I forgot about him! I was so sure we’d see him again in the final arc or after but…
I would have loved to know, what Ik soo thought about the whole development. He was a priest, too. Yona forgave Yu hon´s son, who had caused great misery to the priests!!
Yup that’s what I’m thinking too but I can’t imagine this manga ending without showing the wedding since there’s a lot of talk about it even in the story. Tae-joon was relieved by no wedding invitation, Jae-ha asked Hak about the wedding if I remember correctly. But at this moment Yona is super busy and there are many problems in the kingdom and uncertain stuff going on with the characters. And now Hak should come back and they get married? I struggle to imagine that. I don’t have hope for any continuation but I can’t imagine how will she wrap everything up. If it’s really final then it won’t be pretty.
I hope for a continuation or else a story I have loved so much, would be like stale tea in my mouth.
Like how can this become suddenly romantic? This makes no sense at all.
Yes yes, agreed. If they’re just friends then what’s the problem of showing Lili visit both him and Yona, them chatting lightly and laughing as before just with the official “friends” hashtag now. But yes, instead Soo-won appears abandoned and sad peculiarly longing for Lili after her visit, while she hangs out with Ogi and Yona but not him. Like if you’re friends, why are you not really friends? What’s going on and what is this leading to?
How can she create so much tension in the second-to-last chapter? Does she really not plan something more? Like some spin-off under a different name? Even if I had to wait another 6 months. I would gladly choose this than an unfinished manga.
Actually I wouldn’t say so. Soo-won is the one depressed because all his great aims and plans are gone as he was living for them, and now he is lonely, broken and full of regrets. Zeno never had any great aim of changing the world or whatever.
Do you really think this? Zeno wished to be a dragon warriors to make the world a little bit happier. He had wished to protect the people, the country...He let himself be cut open for 20 years as a priest in order to protect people, who looked at him with strange eyes, because he was immortal.
I cannot even imagine the pain, he must have been under doing this for years on end.
I think, he was the only dragon warrios, who did not become a dragon warrior for power, but because he wished to protect people.
Soo Won, too, is depressed, but Zeno is the one, without an aim, as Soo Won has at least a task. To help Yona rule and prepare her, to change the system accordingly.
Ever since he discovered his power, Zeno was driven by one thing - get rid of his curse (so die) and preferably free the other dragon warriors and descendants who were dying pointlessly in the cycle. Now he achieved it but didn’t expect he’d live after achieving it so he just doesn’t know what to do anymore.
Yes, he has no aim, no sense for his existence. This guy wished to be useful, has cut himself open - voluntarily- to become stronger. And now this power is gone. Zeno has wished for this power, has used his regenerative powers as a weapon for others.
Zeno has not betrayed Yona for himself. He would have accepted his lot, even if he feared loneliness. This guy is the most selfless being in the whole show, so he did it above else, because he could not bear to see the dragon warriors suffer and die in vain.
But this doesn´t change the fact, that now Yona is finally queen, but Zeno is again "useless". He was so jealous of Val and Meinyan. Zeno hated to be "useless" so much previously. He had stayed behind King Hiryuu for about 16 years, if I remember correctly.
This guy has wished so much to stay with the others, but vanished for one whole week, because he did not know, what to do anymore. He has lost his purpose and now is also lonely.
Zeno doesn’t strike me as a person who’d only be satisfied if he had a grand role that would be helpful to other people. Unlike Soo-won, Zeno is more carefree and is capable of enjoying the small things in his life: tasty food, a warm bed, new clothes, having fun casually, getting drunk, etc. Small joys. Especially now he can feel things he couldn’t feel before.
I think, we could discuss the definition of a grande task. He was no warrior but wished to be a dragon warrior. So this definitely tells us, that he possessed ambition. He was very aware that the dragon warriors "quelled the country´s chaos".
In contrast to King Il, Zeno has never just given up. He has always risked every pain in order to attain his aim.
Yes, he can enjoy himself, but Zeno has always needed to have a task, an aim. Being able to enjoy yourself does not exclude the possibility for drive. Even the yong Soo Won had been able to enjoy himself. Apart from Soo Won, Zeno has always been the most driven character.
Just lottering around won´t do it for him. He considers himself most likely "useless" again. It would also be a waste of his talents.
Zeno is an amazing leader. He can influence people in a way, Soo Won could not. He does not need to cut himself up anymore. He could further protect the people he loves. Just in a different way.
Zeno did not belong to himself his whole life, for hundreds of years he served as a living shield for other people because that was his power. He lived for other people quite enough. He is no noble, no royal, not bound by anything anymore. Now I think it’s time he lived for himself, he needs to explore and live the life he got. He just needs a push to start.
Zeno did "serve" as a shield for people proudly, because it was not a given to him. He had to literally acquire this strength. Zeno could actually even fight pretty well, even without his scales. He was proud of his strength, of the power he had attained. His life was not often misery, however he enjoyed being able to be useful. He wanted to protect the people.
And how does Zeno enjoy himself? He interacts with other people, dancing for them, joking with them, caring for them. He appears to feel really happy like this. Zeno does wish to care for others. It is an inherent wish of himself. This guy tends to help people without thinking much about it.
Kija is a good example of moving on completely. He must have lost his meaning too when the dragon bond broke. Since birth he didn’t have any other opinion other than living to serve Yona, that was what he believed to live and die for. He could’ve stayed with her, Yona wouldn’t cast him out if he did. But he left and is now living for himself, travelling and enjoying his new life. That’s what I wish for Zeno too.
Really? Zeno has lived for himself basically 2000 years and he has travelled nearly as long. I would wish for him to travel to the village of the White Dragon. But what Zeno actually needs is a home. A place he belongs to and is accepted and valued. And this includes having a task he considers senseful.
He does not need to be a minister, but he is pretty good at influencing people himself. In a different way than Soo Won and Yona. Heck, he could even be an information broker. He could be the person that could provide the reliable information. People tend to talk with him.
Am I the next Hak, when I hope for a spin-off?
I hate to admit it but…me too😭. I can’t believe that after not getting any answers or tied loose ends we’re just closing this story. What this manga was always particularly good at was foreshadowing some things and coming back to cover them. But there’s so much under-told and so many directions uncompleted that I cannot believe this is the final finale.
I’m not really going to expect it or hope for it, it just feels logical to continue as too many things are not finished. But idk, it could result that Hana to Yume magazine doesn’t want to continue publishing or the author could be tired of writing. I don’t know, can be anything.
How does she just try to solve this mess? Like she created more tension instead of reducing it, as you usually do at the end of a story.
Yep
Why bring in the drama with Jon Gi´s unfaithfulness? What is the purpose of the whole drama?
Exactly. Great to know but if this doesn’t play out somehow then why did we need this random information?😅
It was near the end, so she could have just made all 4 lovingly looking at Yona.
Yep, I was very confused. Why didn’t she give Yona a smile or whatever? Clueless…
I would have loved to know, what Ik soo thought about the whole development.
Me too. He was said up to crying when telling Yona about her future, I’d love to know what he thinks now. Is he staying alone in the forest forever? People like him are not banned anymore, why didn’t Yona reach out to him, found him a better place close to Yun? He guided her after all.
About Zeno I’m not sure what his future should be and what it will be, which is exactly why it would be highly appreciated if we were ever shown what does he decide to do with his life.
Zeno is not selfish, I never said he was. He is in fact very selfless and one of the kindest souls out there. But I think he is not about “serving the kingdom” either. He’s been “serving” his whole life and I don’t think it’s necessary for him to serve a duty again to be happy with life. He is having a hard time with accepting he is now mortal, which is understandable. After 2000 it’s not easy to transform his mindset this radically.
Really? Zeno has lived for himself basically 2000 years and he has travelled nearly as long.
Again, I wouldn’t say he ever lived for himself, he just kept breathing since he had no other choice. It was not life. He was waiting for Hiryuu’s reincarnation to be born, for the dragons to assemble and for him to try find a way to die😅
Zeno strikes me as a way more universal person than Soo-won, he can be both useful and yet still enjoy to enjoy himself, being more laidback and relaxed than the other. That I say because their hobbies and behaviors clearly differ significantly. As he complains he has nothing to do, I can perfectly see Zeno both doing a political job or finding a purpose outside of the castle, it can be either.
Soo-won and Zeno are both similar in the fact they did not belong to themselves their whole lives, they dedicated them to serving a purpose and went to extreme lengths to do so. But if Soo-won still has his whole life ahead of him and will forever enjoy learning and improving systems in the country, Zeno having lived 2 hundred lives now can do whatever he wants, be it a job or finding something to do outside.
But that’s the thing, we don’t know what he wants and he doesn’t either so I don’t know where he’ll end up being. Definitely not in Yona’s bed though.
I hate to admit it but…me too😭. I can’t believe that after not getting any answers or tied loose ends we’re just closing this story. What this manga was always particularly good at was foreshadowing some things and coming back to cover them. But there’s so much under-told and so many directions uncompleted that I cannot believe this is the final finale.
Maybe under another name? I would really wait for 6 months to a whole year, if I could just get a correct closure and answer to the questions. At least 20 more chapters and I would be so happy. Heck, I even look at 30 pages of Hak and Yona wedding, when I get more content in the rest of the 19 chapters. .
I’m not really going to expect it or hope for it, it just feels logical to continue as too many things are not finished. But idk, it could result that Hana to Yume magazine doesn’t want to continue publishing or the author could be tired of writing. I don’t know, can be anything.
If she was tired, why not just end it after chapter 276? Maybe with an extra chapter with the long-awaited Hak and Yona wedding. She can never solve everything in 30 pages, the next chapter.
She tries to cram in those chapters, but I still think it is madness to bring conflict and friction in the story, if you merely have 1 chapter left.
About Zeno I’m not sure what his future should be and what it will be, which is exactly why it would be highly appreciated if we were ever shown what does he decide to do with his life.
Well, I hope, we get to see, what exactly Zeno is doing in the current chapter. It features the dragon warriors or the former dragon warriors and Zeno was a part of it. So it should include him.
If we also get a glimpse of Lily and Ogi, I would be glad. Please no further Val and Meinyan. I am so absolutely uninterested in their already happening romance. They have nearly more development than Hak and Yona; I think we do not need to speak about Lily and Soo Won.
Zeno is not selfish, I never said he was. He is in fact very selfless and one of the kindest souls out there. But I think he is not about “serving the kingdom” either. He’s been “serving” his whole life and I don’t think it’s necessary for him to serve a duty again to be happy with life. He is having a hard time with accepting he is now mortal, which is understandable. After 2000 it’s not easy to transform his mindset this radically.
I think I didn´t imply that you said he was. But my impression is, that he wishes to protect the people he cares for.
This has nothing to do with "serving"...and I don´t think, he ever saw it as "serving", when he cared for the other dragon warriors or even other people. It appears to come natural for him.
Yona is finally queen like he has wished for...and he can literally not help more than waking her up in the morning. It must have been so frustrating.
Zeno chose his tasks often himself. No, he did not wish to live forever. But nobody expected of him to become headpriest. He just wished to be useful and protect people, care for the children, so that his brothers could go away.
However, Zeno took always care of people. If it was the people in the castle, the children of Hiryuu or the dragon warriors. He also cared for Kaya.
No, I don´t think, that Zeno wishes to "serve a country" or anything like this, but protect the people he cares for? He would like that.
Again, I wouldn’t say he ever lived for himself, he just kept breathing since he had no other choice. It was not life. He was waiting for Hiryuu’s reincarnation to be born, for the dragons to assemble and for him to try find a way to die
Well, to be fair, he did a little more than breathing. He looked after the dragon warriors, the tribes, the descendants. He wished to be prepared for the day Yona would finally appear.
At the beginning Zeno did not wish to die. In fact Zeno had been unsure about his decision, when Yona was born. Would he actually betray her or would he stay with them? It depended on Yona´s decision and way of life.
This is shortly after Yona is born. Zeno had earnestly wished to "find the reason for him being alive" by aligning himself with Yona. But his wish - the betrayal - was still an option.
In fact, he had earlier the belief, that Yona´s cause would be worth the sacrifice of the dragon warriors.
Hak and Soo Won - ironically the "Sword" and "Shield" contribute to his decision to betray Yona.
The scene above was shortly after he had joined the group.
Zeno strikes me as a way more universal person than Soo-won, he can be both useful and yet still enjoy to enjoy himself, being more laidback and relaxed than the other. That I say because their hobbies and behaviors clearly differ significantly. As he complains he has nothing to do, I can perfectly see Zeno both doing a political job or finding a purpose outside of the castle, it can be either.
I wish, he would work with people, influence them. He is very good at it. And he seems to enjoy it, as it comes naturally to him.
I honestly think, he would be bad behind a desk, but collecting information would be literally quite good for him. He is intelligent and most people would hardly believe that this guy is very knowledgeable, so would have their guard down. His body is only 17 years old, after all.
Maybe under another name? I would really wait for 6 months to a whole year, if I could just get a correct closure and answer to the questions.
I don’t think they’d change the name for an extra 20 chapters. Just add spin-off series to the name. Would be wonderful.
If she was tired, why not just end it after chapter 276?
Apparently she said she had “a few more ideas” that didn’t fit somewhere.
I hope, we get to see, what exactly Zeno is doing in the current chapter. It features the dragon warriors or the former dragon warriors and Zeno was a part of it. So it should include him.
From the spoilers I understood that it included only the dragons Hak met during traveling so everyone expect Zeno. Tbf the three dragons are the only ones with well-written endings so at least we’ll get something good and finished.
Please no further Val and Meinyan.
Lol likewise, show me anyone but them pls
I don´t think, he ever saw it as "serving", when he cared for the other dragon warriors or even other people. It appears to come natural for him.
For sure since he is very kind it’s not a big deal for him to help people and his friends. The way he had to do it - by enduring physical pain and torture- was a curse for him though and he hated it. And he did “serve” Yona since she’s Hiryuu, and he had no choice but to be a dragon warrior once again, so it can be called serving I suppose.
He wasn’t helping anyone while he was not a dragon warrior as far as I remember, he was wandering around while waiting for the new “team”.
Yona is finally queen like he has wished for
He wished for that? When? He only proposed her as candidate to Soo-won because Soo-won was choosing a successor (and because Zeno didn’t want to do it himself), not like Zeno wished Yona to be queen in general.
Well, to be fair, he did a little more than breathing. He looked after the dragon warriors, the tribes, the descendants.
Well not like I expected him to stare at a wall for 2k years, yes he said he wandered a lot but didn’t really do anything at the same time. He watched. How kingdoms appeared and perished. Observed what was happening to the dragon warriors and decedents.
But he wasn’t participating in anything, wasn’t involved in anything after Kaya passed. He watched, breathed and waited. That hardly can be called life.
Zeno had earnestly wished to "find the reason for him being alive" by aligning himself with Yona.
I think by “finding reason for being alive” he mainly meant him becoming a dragon warrior again, needed by the new Hiryuu, using his powers for him and the other dragons. He examined Yona like he admitted and decided he would stick with her. After all he wanted his “wish” to be fulfilled, which is death, so I don’t think he expected to be something other than a dragon warrior.
I wish, he would work with people, influence them. He is very good at it.
He is? The only time he ever influenced anyone was when he played priest after Hiryuu’s death to stop people from panicking, that was super smart of him but I don’t remember anything else. He’s very good at lying and manipulating actually but I’m not sure if that should be his profession, it’s more Soo-won’s vibe.
Zeno reminds me more of Ik-soo, he likes being helpful and he strikes me as a person that loves freedom and flexibility. He could travel and help people in the country like Yona did.
If it’s something more major, I could ironically imagine him as a priest (though I’m pretty sure he, like Soo-won, still hates their guts) but here’s the thing. I actually wonder now what kind of role will the gods play in Kouka now? I mean…after what they did to Kouka and so many people in it should they even be prayed to? The fake divine protection over Kouka is gone now so what will happen to priests and mausoleums and all this stuff? I would so cancel them if I were Yona😂.
And he did “serve” Yona since she’s Hiryuu, and he had no choice but to be a dragon warrior once again, so it can be called serving I suppose.
Zeno was a true believer in Hiryuu. In their cause. Serving Hiryuu was not a curse for him; being alone was. Zeno also hardly did feel the pain any longer. He became numb in regard to physical pain, since he had botchered himself up a bit too often.
Zeno was even "more religious" than Kija and this means something. He wished, he desired for Yona to be born. Not just for the other dragon warriors. Zeno truly, honestly believed in Hiryuu´s cause. Hiryuu was his hope, his light. (Zeno is a truly interesting figure in regard to his whole development and his "fall from grace". He, who has been such a strong believer in the dragon gods and Hiryuu, lost his belief at th end.)
Hiryuu was a strong motivation to go out and watch over the country.
Zeno "watched" over a whole country. The descendants, the dragon warriors. The kings that ruled.
After he had met Yona and the others, he jumped up in the air, because he was so full of joy and thanked the gods. So it does not appear, as if he had intended then to actually betray them.
You are most likely right, that Zeno avoided people, as he hated most likely seeing them die again and again in front of his eyes. He was immortal after all.
Besides he claimed himself, even in the dept of the chalice, that "his feelings for Hiryuu were deeper than just manipulation". And I believe this is the truth. Hiryuu was a sort of parental figure for him.
He appears similar to Soo Won even in that aspect.
When he opened the coffin, he had to see, if Hiryuu, the person he once loved was really dead. He talked with the dead body and appeared sad.
He is? The only time he ever influenced anyone was when he played priest after Hiryuu’s death to stop people from panicking,
Zeno did not "play priest" he was priest. For more than 20 years. Far longer than Soo Won was king. Even if he did not hear the dragon gods, he still fulfilled the task, he has himself chosen.
The children of Hiryuu had been small and he stayed for them as well. The young country of Kouka was most likely in a dire situation after Hiryuu had died. The heir was still a child. Zeno protected them. He might not had really ruled, but he supported the people doing it. And made sometimes even decision for them - it appears. As they asked him for his advice.
Even if it was a lie, for the people in the castle, in Kouka, it was the truth.
For 20 years he protected the people of the castle as a religious figure, gave them fate and hope and he also went out and protected them from attacks.
Zeno is most likely the reason, why the priests had so much power to begin with. He was apparently succesful enough.
Besides Zeno is very good at handling people and can influence people even outside of his role of being a priest. Even a nut like Tae Jun recognizes this. (He was not just impressed by Yona, but also by Zeno)
Additionally he also initiated plays in order to bring the dragon warriors together...or bring some of the dragon warriors out of their reserve like Shin ha.
Furthermore he realizes the statue people are in and he supports people in their decision to demonstrate strength.
This is after a battle where Yona´s fame would go up, because they interfered and helped the soldiers.
I think it is chapter 157, if you are interested.
But it was actually Yoon, who made the decision to help. Zeno realized this even before Yoon started to run. Instead of hindering him, he supported him, however and was the second person running.
Yona did not even intend to interfer, how you can see. It was Yoon and Zeno taking initiative. Only then the rest came along. Along with Tae Jun.
It is absurd, if you consider this was actually Yoon taking initiative, that it was counted as Yona´s success!
He also had an impact on our headstrong former king
In this scene Zeno helped him to get away, but it is also a sort of punishment for using the dragon warriors in the first place. Kija was not able to make any impact on Soo Won. But Zeno could, as he knew from the many years he had watched the descendants, what was happening here.
Soo Woon - unfortunately - for Zeno saw it as an invitation to get nearer to Zeno.
From the spoilers I understood that it included only the dragons Hak met during traveling so everyone expect Zeno. Tbf the three dragons are the only ones with well-written endings so at least we’ll get something good and finished.
Oh, shoot! I would have loved to finally see, what he was doing the whole time.
He wished for that? When? He only proposed her as candidate to Soo-won because Soo-won was choosing a successor
Zeno has always wished for Yona to become queen. Even in the beginning, when every of the other dragon warriors was stuck speechless by the suggestion.
He wished for her to take the throne back from Soo Won. His reasons are of course the fate of the dragon warriors. She used them, so she should at least do something great with them. (chapter 43)
Zeno attacked Yona at the beginning. She should use the dragon warriors wisely.
She should not run away forever...
Zeno wished to take back the throne by force. Also, very important: "Soo Won stole the throne" Zeno said. This is basically, what Soo Won tells us at the end of chapter 276.
Look at the shadows, who are cast over him in the next panel.
The other dragon warriors are completely taken aback by Zeno´s attack on Yona.
Here is another instant, where it is clear, that Zeno would wish for Yona to take the throne and not follow Soo Won, but he is actually disatisfied with her lack of drive.
And of course the dragon warriors play a role again. Zeno feared, that Soo Won might use them. He was as little happy that the dragon warriors came to the castle as Soo Won was.
My, this is an insult to Yona...A slap in her face.
"Will you take the leap? Right to Soo Won´s feet?"
He basically alludes to Yona kissing Soo Won´s feet. Zeno is far more ambitious as people believe him to be. His reasons was the wellbeing of the dragon warriors, but still.
Zeno always wished for Yona to rule, as this was the reason, he allowed her to use the dragon warriors. (Even if he hides this reason and backpedalls every time after the suggestion. Yona has to be worthy of the death of so many people he cared for after all).
Zeno was alright with Yona´s development at chapter 100, but he still wished her to take the throne back.
I think by “finding reason for being alive” he mainly meant him becoming a dragon warrior again, needed by the new Hiryuu, using his powers for him and the other dragons. He examined Yona like he admitted and decided he would stick with her. After all he wanted his “wish” to be fulfilled, which is death, so I don’t think he expected to be something other than a dragon warrior.
Zeno wished to find in the great quest, that Hiryuu undertook a reason for his life. It is even explicitely told her, as Zeno wondered why Hiryuu came back. Zeno is a strong believer in Hiryuu´s cause. He became a dragon warrior for a reason.
Especially since it is mentioned...that his wish "might come" true. He was not sure, if he should betray Yona.
"I might find the reason for being alive when I see the new Hiryuu´s path." suggested that he was not sure, but it was maybe an option.
"My wish might also be fulfilled."
Again. The word "might" that implies, that it is an option, but Zeno is not yet sure, if he should betray Hiryuu.
Both are mentioned with around the same structure, so we can conclude: Zeno was not sure, when Yona was born, which path he should choose.
Furthermore, in the previous panel, he enumareted the possible aims for Hiryuu, that he would support. Zeno had ambition and wished to be part of something great.
He’s very good at lying and manipulating actually but I’m not sure if that should be his profession, it’s more Soo-won’s vibe.
Soo Won clearly does not share your estimation. He wished for Zeno to either become king or a government official. He knew, and I share his estimation, how competent Zeno was.
Zeno is so much more than just an average John, who can dilly-dally. Soo Won wished so much to "have" Zeno, that he tried to persuade him for a while longer.
Zeno reminds me more of Ik-soo, he likes being helpful and he strikes me as a person that loves freedom and flexibility. He could travel and help people in the country like Yona did.
Zeno has travelled the country for 2000 years and he obviously considers Hiryuu Castle his home. He was horrified, when he saw the burnt castle.
Zeno had enough "freedom", what this guy wishes for is a family, earthly bonds and a task, he believes in. This is the very reason, he became a dragon warrior in the first place.
Right now Zeno is "floating", suffering because of a loss of bonds and of the loss of his occupation. Zeno has been ambitious and will most likely by ambitious again, if he just will get the chance.
If he had just wished to travel again, he would have left again. But this was not his wish then, 2000 years ago, nor now. He stayed both times at Hiryuu Castle.
Besides, we hardly now Iksoo. There could be even an undercurrent there in him, who has suffered under Yu hon.
If it’s something more major, I could ironically imagine him as a priest (though I’m pretty sure he, like Soo-won, still hates their guts)
Zeno screamt: "Kill the gods". He completely has fallen away from his belief. He was the strongest believer, but he has fallen from grace.
This guy will never become a priest again, as he believes 0 % anymore in the gods.
I actually wonder now what kind of role will the gods play in Kouka now? I mean…after what they did to Kouka and so many people in it should they even be prayed to? The fake divine protection over Kouka is gone now so what will happen to priests and mausoleums and all this stuff? I would so cancel them if I were Yon
It might be true, that there was a "divine" protection or not. But I am also curious, how they handle the gods...So much to show. It makes no sense, that she finished her manga then.
We certainly have slightly different perceptions of Zeno😅
He wished, he desired for Yona to be born. Not just for the other dragon warriors. Zeno truly, honestly believed in Hiryuu´s cause. Hiryuu was his hope, his light.
Well…can’t say he hated Hiryuu or anything, he certainly loved him a lot when he was alive. I didn’t notice Zeno being too religious at the beginning though.
However after Hiryuu died along other the other dragon warriors and Zeno was left all alone, Zeno was faced with the fact that he was abandoned by the “gods”. First it could be seen in the fact Zeno could not hear their voices when he was a priest. Then after he was deeply hurt that the gods did not answer his desperate prayers regarding Kaya, when he pleaded to save her. Silence. Regarding Hiryuu specifically Zeno once told Yona this:
To Yona’s romanticized view on Hiryuu and his bond with the dragon warriors Zeno said “I wonder”. I think it depicts exactly how Zeno felt about Hiryuu by the time he met Yona. Zeno was disgusted by the gods for abandoning him, the dragon warriors and the decedents and in a way he was disappointed in Hiryuu himself for leaving and causing all this mess. Hiryuu is also a god after all. I don’t think Zeno was naive or excited about him anymore, even though he loved him when he was a human.
So I don’t think Zeno was waiting for Yona and seeing her and Hiryuu as a blessing to this world. He was waiting for her purely because she could give him a purpose again, reunite the dragons once again after all these years and potentially he could find a way to die.
I can’t argue that he loved Hiryuu deep inside though, of course he did despite what happened, both because he is a dragon warriors and because he knew Hiryuu personally. But his belief in his cause surely lessened significantly, which is partially why he betrayed Yona. His wish to end the dragons (and Hiryuu) was more important than his “belief in Hiryuu”.
Zeno did not "play priest" he was priest. For more than 20 years. Far longer than Soo Won was king. Even if he did not hear the dragon gods, he still fulfilled the task, he has himself chosen.
I’d say he was precisely playing priest since if we are honest Zeno was lying to people about hearing the voices of heavens, about the medallion being sacred, about the heavens watching all of them and so on. He did not hear anything. And I don’t think Zeno at that point believed in the benevolence of heavens.
So I’d say unlike Ik-soo who was a real priest that heard the gods, Zeno was exactly playing that role for the good of the people. That I agree with completely, Zeno was doing that for the people out of purest of intentions as Hiryuu’s son was not yet ready to take over and people needed protection. And when in reality no god would save them from upcoming war, Zeno went there himself and battled a whole army for Kouka.
He wished for her to take the throne back from Soo Won. His reasons are of course the fate of the dragon warriors. She used them, so she should at least do something great with them.
You think so? I saw that scene completely differently.
As Zeno said himself he was testing her, he wanted to know if she was worthy of using the powers of the dragons. He wanted to know what is her path, what does she want to use them for.
Here he is wondering himself what is it. Protect the country, create it or to see the dragons again (this he clearly doubted). Who is this new Hiryuu?
Zeno himself, just like Hiryuu, is not a fan of violence, chaos and senseless bloodshed (Zeno especially knows a lot about senseless bloodshed). Zeno knew Hiryuu thought the never ending war horrible and genuinely wished for peace.
Zeno here admits he didn’t want a battle to happen as it would lead to casualties in form of innocents.
So back to his question to Yona, if she intends to keep running away or to go kill Soo-won and occupy Hiryuu castle again to be queen, it think the correct answer was neither of that. It was precisely a test. Zeno wanted to understand what kind of person Yona is, if shes truly the reincarnation of Hiryuu. If he wants to follow her path.
Running away meant Yona is a coward that just wants to have bodyguards for her and Hak’s safety. Going for the palace meant Yona is power-thirsty and wants the dragons purely for revenge and the crown which would cause bloodshed and violence. Neither of those is what Zeno would want the dragons to be used for.
I am certain that if Yona answered she wants to kill Soo-won and that the throne is her aim, Zeno would never follow her.
In addition, do you think a person as wise as Zeno would want a domestic, inexperienced 16 year old on the throne of Kouka? Even Jae-ha back then doubted that it is a good idea, Zeno would see 0 sense there at all. He only just met her at that time, and back then she was still weak and didn’t know anything about the country or the world. And you think he’d follow her because she was ambitious and vengeful? After serving Hiryuu who didn’t care for power and craved to preserve peace? Precisely the other way around I believe.
Now in this scene where Yona is forced to decide to either accept the alliance with Keishuk or not, Zeno is behaving exactly the same way as when he asked her about her intentions, just not testing her anymore. What he is doing - is not avoiding the elephant in the room like everyone else. By being bluntly honest he makes Yona face the reality of each decision and he doesn’t care if it makes her uncomfortable. She had to understand what each choice meant, that’s what he did.
If they don’t accept the offer, they’ll be constantly targeted at by common folk that’s going crazy about them, by enemies of Kouka or by the castle Hiryuu owners (Soo-won, Keishuk, Ju-doh, etc). If they accept the offer, it may be safer even though the dragons will be used (like always) but specifically for Yona accepting the offer means swallowing her pride and go kiss Soo-won’s feet. And even right after such harsh words, Yona went for the second option.
I disagree that deep inside he wanted her to go ballistic and initiate a fight against Keishuk (and just take the throne by force). A fight in these conditions would mean literal war inside the country, the people who love the dragons would take Yona’s side while Soo-won’s followers would fight for him. And again, many people would die. I don’t think Zeno was disappointed that Yona didn’t go for that option.
I think here he was annoyed just like everyone else because there was no good option for them here, they are stuck either way.
In addition there is the fact that Zeno from the beginning liked Soo-won. He knew who he was, the decendant of Hiryuu strikingly alike him in many ways. Unlike the other dragon warriors, Zeno did not feel hatred for Yona’s enemies as if they were his own enemies. He saw them objectively, never wished Soo-won harm and I think he respected him, especially after he asked him if he wants the four dragons and Soo-won said not at all. So I don’t think Zeno ever thought that Yona was always more worthy of the throne than Soo-won. But if it’s not Soo-won, Yona was the best option in his mind.
Well…can’t say he hated Hiryuu or anything, he certainly loved him a lot when he was alive. I didn’t notice Zeno being too religious at the beginning though.
King Hiryuu
Zeno loved King Hiryuu likely like a son. He is demonstrated to "depend on" him heavily emotionally. In a way the other dragon warriors didn´t.
And later again, when he worried due to his healing abilities. He literally hung himself onto him. He searched for help.
The other four dragon warriors were his brothers and King Hiryuu was the centre- their father. But only King Hiryuu could connect the dragon warriors.
And King Hiryuu called him "his child" - the first little found family. That is how the practice started. Yona and the gang are a reflection of this.
In Zeno´s case his strong belief and his desire and longing for a family come together, it goes hand in hand.
So yes, in a way you are right, when you say that it did not strike you, that he believes in fate. He would not do it so strongly, if there was not - like in Soo Won´s case - a strong emotional dependancy.
Zeno truly hated fighting. He threw up on the battle field during the time of King Hiryuu. Even 20 years later, he still hated fighting, killing. Zeno is a truly kind person.
But he chose to be strong, because he wished to be a true dragon warrior. He wished to belong to the dragon warriors. To his family. He wished to be worthy of this bond. In order to not be the outsider again. So he killed people in order to protect. Zeno desired this bond so strongly.
Due to this dependancy, Zeno believed in fate. Fate was a promise to get again a family. All his life until he broke down in the last arc.
Like yes,Zeno is just like Soo Won, who follows his father´s footsteps, because because of pain and trauma.
Kija as a "younger version of Zeno"
I used Kija, because Kija also refered to Soo Won as the "not true king" like Zeno, who declared that Soo Won stole the throne. Kija is the "younger version" of the true believer. It nicely plays in the belief of Hiryuu.
That is why, there is so often a confrontation between Kija and Soo Won and Soo Won and Zeno in this story.
The two "systems" clash against each other - time and time again.
Intuition
Another reason for Zeno´s strong belief is literally his unbelievably strong intuition.
Like Yona Zeno could literally hear the gods (and most likely even see them, as he also saw the dragon god).
Like the Shinto Priests, he had declared.
He could - like Kashi and Iksoo - hear and see the dragon gods. He was like them, like Kashi and Zeno and he appeared even to be pretty alone at the beginning of his story. I wonder, if Zeno was - like Kashi" a cast-out. Somebody who was shunned for his "strong gift". Zeno´s ability must have been huge. He could literally see the dragon god.
So Zeno could have never doubted that the gods existed. He had seen/heard them. He had literally proof of this fact.
In the Kin Province Arc he realized the war, even way before everybody else.
The Crest - Soothing Shackle
You can interpret the crest on the chain as "his chains" as a dragon warrior. But the "chains" were also in Zeno´s head. He was not merely bound by the blood bound, but also by his feelings for King Hiryuu and the dragon warriors.
The Crest is the best symbol for this, as it is told to be the "Shield". Zeno basically becomes a living "Shield" for his family. He so much suffers by the bond, yet longs for te bond, as he is bound to his family through the blood pact.
He feels the dragon warriors through the blood bond, he is aware of their relation the whole time, when there is a great distance between them. He longs for them, but is soothed by the bond.
The same goes for the Crest. As long as the Crest is with him, King Hiryuu is with him. Whenever Zeno grabbed the Crest, he was relying on the dead King Hiryuu. Zeno is soothed by the presence of the Crest, by the existence of the bond in his loneliness and isolation; yet the bond is the very thing that isolates him from other people. He is immortal after all.
That Zeno felt a pang, when he had to give the Crest, King Hiryuu, away, points to it, that there was even a heavy emotional dependancy on it.
The Crest "caged" the dragon god, but I wonder, if Zeno just was not just soothed by the presence of "King Hiryuu", even if it was just a symbol.
However after Hiryuu died along other the other dragon warriors and Zeno was left all alone, Zeno was faced with the fact that he was abandoned by the “gods”. First it could be seen in the fact Zeno could not hear their voices when he was a priest.
Oh, Zeno knew that he had been never high on the list of the gods. He basically speaks of slavery during this time. Nevertheless he believed in their power.
(Christian) Believers do fear the gods. This is all part of a religions charme. Especially the one Kusanagi refers here - Christianity.
Still the believers are faitfully happy, when something nice happens. So Zeno thanked them for meeting the dragon warriors, for allowing him this joy.
To Yona’s romanticized view on Hiryuu and his bond with the dragon warriors Zeno said “I wonder”. I think it depicts exactly how Zeno felt about Hiryuu by the time he met Yona.
I give you a hint, what Zeno did here in that scene. He was literally telling "Hiryuu", aka Yona, how he was feeling. He searched for solace, like he did in the past in th presence of Hiryuu. (But Yona´s feelings are so far away from Zeno´s that it is painful).
Zeno thought of Yona as "King", aka Hiryuu for a very long time. Until the time she tried to rescue him from his shackles in the last arc. Until this time, Zeno considered Yona as a substitute for Hiryuu.
Even after his betrayal, he refers to Yona as "King":
"I know I can entrust our king to the mister without worry."
Zeno has to literally say goodbye to Hiryuu and see his dead body, to fully realize that Hiryuu and Yona "the Miss" are two people. He has to persuade himself.
"It is good this way. Them being different is what makes human life precious."
Zeno speaks to himself here...so the person he has to persuade from Hiryuu and Yona´s difference is himself and nobody else.
However, after Yona had come to rescue him and got captured by the dragon gods. Zeno finally sees the light. He finally recognizes her as "Yona" and not Hiryuu.
He never refers to Yona anymore as king in his thoughts. Merely as Miss. The first step to calling her by her name "Yona", when he accepts the bond between him and the real Yona.
Zeno was disgusted by the gods for abandoning him, the dragon warriors and the decedents and in a way he was disappointed in Hiryuu himself for leaving and causing all this mess. Hiryuu is also a god after all. I don’t think Zeno was naive or excited about him anymore, even though he loved him when he was a human.
No, no, Zeno faitfully believed in the reincarnation of Hiryuu until his betrayal. But the near death of the people he loved the most let him snap (this and Soo Won´s influence, and also Hak´s if I am honest).
The heaviest reason are however the 3 people here, who were in his heart and made his heart literally bleed.
When Zeno cried out his wish! You can basically see the "bleeding heart". The wound on his throat formed a "heart" on his chest.
Shortly before he commits suicide, Zeno lifted the sword and sees the people who move his heart the most:
Shin ha, Kija and Jae ha.
(When they worry and mock Zeno a little, this is the scene he remembers shortly before he dies:) Like Soo Won he sees the people, he holds dear.
It is their near death that drives him over the edge.
The people, whom he can even identify and differentiate from the dragon gods, even though the "bond" says something different.
Literally his love for these 3 broke the "bond" s influence.
But his belief in his cause surely lessened significantly, which is partially why he betrayed Yona. His wish to end the dragons (and Hiryuu) was more important than his “belief in Hiryuu”.
Like a true believer, Zeno believed that the only solace can be found in heaven. For him in the literal sense, as heaven appeared to be the place, where the people went Zeno had loved.
Zeno literally knew he could not recreate the past, yet heaven it was. A little like Soo Won, who had always believed he had to recreate the past.
For him the three others were as good as dead, so Zeno also wished to die. To finally be together with the people he loves. That is heaven for Zeno.
Home in the literal sense.
In a similar way, Kija also believed that Shin ha and Jae ha had went to heaven and wished to follow them.
Only when he understood, that they were not dead yet, did he transform an wished to live further in order to protect Yona.
I’d say he was precisely playing priest since if we are honest Zeno was lying to people about hearing the voices of heavens, about the medallion being sacred, about the heavens watching all of them and so on. He did not hear anything. And I don’t think Zeno at that point believed in the benevolence of heavens.
And so did Soo Won in order to rescue the country. He, too, betrayed and lied to people. And so did Zeno as priest in order to establish order and faith. Zeno was just an "average John" at the beginning. That he could really create an illusion that long is an amazing deed.
Zeno used every "card" in his hand, as Soo Won would express it, and used even deceit and lies in order to make a pure stone appear shiny and beautiful in the eyes of people, who wished to believe and needed help. Zeno doesn´t know Yu hon, but it is quite amazing, that he realized this completely on his own.
Yona, as well, uses tricks and lies. Only in stories people can live 100 % pure.
Zeno did not believe in people, as he was not that exceptional like Soo Won, who was gifted in every aspect (from appearance, physical prowness (Soo Won is even 3 times so talented even in physical ability than normal people) and from his high intelligence we hardly do not need to speak. )
This priest just did, what this king and other rulers had done - pretended and created illusions. And he did it successfully. He made it "real" in the eyes of people.
By the way, he even believed later in the benevolence of Heavens.
As Zeno said himself he was testing her, he wanted to know if she was worthy of using the powers of the dragons. He wanted to know what is her path, what does she want to use them for.
Indeed. He wished to know, why how she would "use" the lives of people Zeno loved.
So back to his question to Yona, if she intends to keep running away or to go kill Soo-won and occupy Hiryuu castle again to be queen, it think the correct answer was neither of that. It was precisely a test. Zeno wanted to understand what kind of person Yona is, if shes truly the reincarnation of Hiryuu. If he wants to follow her path.
Unfortunately not. Zeno really meant it, that they could take the castle.
Zeno literally used violence for milennia in order to establish order and protect people. Like Kija Zeno perceived Soo Won as the wrong king, who needed to be removed. As Yona is the true ruler.
Zeno is not King il. He knows that violence is necessary sometimes.
Now in this scene where Yona is forced to decide to either accept the alliance with Keishuk or not, Zeno is behaving exactly the same way as when he asked her about her intentions, just not testing her anymore. What he is doing - is not avoiding the elephant in the room like everyone else. By being bluntly honest he makes Yona face the reality of each decision and he doesn’t care if it makes her uncomfortable. She had to understand what each choice meant, that’s what he did.
Actually, Yona brushed over the possibility that the dragon warriors would be used.
She just answered that it was like this.
Zeno became really upset. Yona used their lives.
She does not know it, but she uses Shin ha´s , Jae ha´s and Kija´s life with every fight. With every fight their lives became shorter and shorter.
So Yona used lightly the lives of the people Zeno loved. And no, this has become unforgiveable in his eyes during this time.
I am certain that if Yona answered she wants to kill Soo-won and that the throne is her aim, Zeno would never follow her. In addition, do you think a person as wise as Zeno would want a domestic, inexperienced 16 year old on the throne of Kouka? Even Jae-ha back then doubted that it is a good idea, Zeno would see 0 sense there at all. He only just met her at that time, and back then she was still weak and didn’t know anything about the country or the world. And you think he’d follow her because she was ambitious and vengeful? After serving Hiryuu who didn’t care for power and craved to preserve peace? Precisely the other way around I believe.
I am certain, he would have followed her. It would have been exactly the thing, Zeno wished for. To remove Yu hon´s son, whom Zeno believed - likely- at the beginning to be a bad influence.
Zeno´s belief was strong and he believed, that Yona would be a good leader. She was kind, and strong and after all, King Hiryuu´s reincarnation, for whom he had waited for 2000 years. Crazy? Faith is often crazy. Christians pray to a literal corpse.
Kija has the same attitude. He would not follow Soo won the "not true king" (picture above). Jae ha is far more critical, like Shuten used to be. (It was Jae ha´s predecessor, that had wished for the "end of the dragon warriors" and the end of faith).
I disagree that deep inside he wanted her to go ballistic and initiate a fight against Keishuk (and just take the throne by force). A fight in these conditions would mean literal war inside the country, the people who love the dragons would take Yona’s side while Soo-won’s followers would fight for him. And again, many people would die. I don’t think Zeno was disappointed that Yona didn’t go for that option.
Zeno´s deepest wish was for the dragon warriors not to be used like tools, not to use their short lives without end. As Keishuk does give a fuck about their wellbeing, Zeno - understandably- worried like crazy. Yona not giving a fuck is unfortunately unforgiveable in his eyes.
And it happened like he had feared. The dragon warriors reached their end...after they had battled and battled outside Kouka. Again and again. By helping Soo Won Yona had basically condamned them.
Zeno does worry for the country, but he did simply not wish to join Keishuk and Soo Won. Even if it had meant fleeing or taking the throne from Soo Won. The dragon warrior´s lives were starting to become more and more important.
