If you’re a fan of Hilmes, prepare to read this chapter with an expression of D:
I’ll try to go through this roughly in chronological order so hopefully I don’t forget anything I wanted to say. First up (and this was in the preview pages I posted earlier) I love how when Team Hilmes and Gieve first encounter each other, Hilmes is so quick to shut down Zandeh’s outrage at Gieve’s insults. He obviously knows from experience exactly how Zandeh is going to react in that situation, and just raises a hand to keep him quiet without even looking at him lmao.
They haven’t been named in the manga yet but a quick check of the dialogue in the novel confirms that on the left we have Olaberria (you have no idea how glad I am to finally have a confirmed name for this man ajsdhjkdfh) and on the right is Don Ricardo.
This chapter actually gave me a worse impression of Hilmes than the equivalent scene in the novel. It’s not so much that it’s different but more that the manga chooses to put emphasis on the whole use of ‘rightful bloodline of Pars’ as an absolute justification that cannot be argued with, whereas it’s a little more clear in the novel that Hilmes is understanding of the discomfort of his subordinates and seeks to persuade and then reassure them (in the manga it feels as though he’s not giving any real consideration to their concerns and is mentioning his lineage mainly to compel them to do as he wants). (Though, to be clear, even in the novel his men ultimately did not have much choice in the matter...)
(Also, in the novel it’s stated that Hilmes is surprised and a little unhappy about Zandeh’s objection and I’m kinda sad that we didn’t get to see that kind of look on Hilmes’s face in the manga. Poor Zandeh, he looks very uncomfortable with what they’re doing.)
How manic Hilmes looks when he actually gets his hands on Rukhnabad just gives me deep feelings of ‘wrong, wrong, wrong’. It feels like he’s lost perspective (or maybe it’s just a reminder that his perspective has been warped for a long time, since he can do things like facilitate the invasion of his own country just to get revenge and take the throne... taking the sword used to seal the Snake King is just another example of prioritising his personal motivations over the good of Pars). I don’t enjoy seeing him like this. :(
Check out Rukhnabad’s unearthly glow! (Also, Arakawa obviously provided the design for the anime since it matches up, minus the glow.)
Hilmes is definitely affected by the power of this magical sword once he holds it, so that’s probably why he looks so possessed, because he can feel its power... the power that was sealing Zahhak.
In conclusion, HILMES PLEASE PUT IT BACK.
I need to brace myself for the next chapter.
