#chapter is out now

[abybweisse]

Ch178 (1), Cover and title pages

The chapter is officially 15 pages, but that includes the cover art, blank page, title page, and the credits and copyright info page. We get 11 paneled pages.

I’m hearing reports that Yana-san might really currently be ill. Today, I heard she’s depressed. I haven’t checked her Twitter in ages, so this could be true. If so, I hope she gets better soon. Not just for us but for herself, as well. ❤️‍🩹

[abybweisse]

Ch173, Not much need to sneak around anyway

Bard assumes, at first, that the OR is where the bloodletting occurs, but nope. Since it’s a real, state-of-the-art medical practice in the Kuroverse, Ada sees no reason to hide it.

This could go two ways. Either she’s innocent about what happens here... or she’s settin them up. Maybe not to be bled right now, but perhaps later. I expect them to end up here again, and it might not simply be to release other people. Hard to tell how many beds are here. But at least Bard and Lau learn quickly the main thing they came to find out.

I have a sneaking suspicion this is what really happens to Ethan and others who have been “discharged” back into society.

[abybweisse]

Ch173: Chapter cover art and subtitle

“Do angels come in all colors?”

1. A bit worried about the mention of angels, even though we are supposed to have a “miracle nurse” here.

2. Even more disturbing is the idea of angels of various colors. Obviously not a matter of race. More like personalities and... possibly some being fallen.

3. These two, Ada and Layla, definitely have very different personalities. Ada strikes me as severe but meaning well. While Layla really makes me worry. Something kind of sadistic about her.

More to come. I just started reading the chapter.

[abybweisse]

Ch173, Sanatorium or boot camp?

Physical therapy is a major part of recuperation, but this already seems a bit much for some of them? Anyway, she’s definitely “by the book” in the use of such rigid terminology. I don’t think it’s a matter of translation; she’s really this stiff/formal. Something else rather military about her attitude is how she calls Bard “Rookie”.

Also keep in mind that it’s Brighton, England, and it must be early December. And even Ada is huffing and puffing a bit by the time they are done. Flush on her cheeks, too. Not as cold as what I’m currently experiencing in Texas, but still!

[abybweisse]

Ch173, Back to the room and board

Lau: “I will rent a room in the staff dorm.”

Hopefully, we might get a glimpse of the staff dorms soon.

And I repeat: It’s good that Bard is suspicious of Lau....

[abybweisse]

Ch173, back to the war stories and... stories

Meant to mention this before, but what really happened to

What really happened to Ethan? Discharged from the sanatorium, but they haven’t seen him. They simply heard he’s been returned to society at large and landed a job.

Sus, of course.

[abybweisse]

Ch173, No sneaking around

Ada is on top of things, for sure, though she might be an honest sort. Too early to tell for sure, but she seems to be pretty much as she appears. Someone who believes in the science and the modern nursing system pioneered by people like Florence Nightingale.

[abybweisse]

Ch173, Lies or truths?

First off, Bard is right to question Lau’s loyalty. Plain and simple.

The war experience Bard is talking about now is nothing like he said to Knox and Ada, and I’m inclined to believe at least the general truth of what he said to Knox and Ada. Because he’s also told Snake about snakes in Arizona, and the scene where Sebastian recruits him matches best with that — The Apache Wars in Arizona.

Matthew Burgh...? Makes me wonder if he’s using the story of a known soldier from a war in northern Africa. I will look into it. It could be that Bard had traveled in his warfare experiences, too. Too early to say.

Also want to see if there was a Matthew Burgh (or something like that) in Arizona... or even in the Civil War. Because we honestly don’t know what Bard’s real name is. He might have taken a new identity when he was hired on at Phantomhive Manor, just like pretty much everyone who worked there for our earl... even though not everyone changed their names.