These no-dialogue (pretty much) chapters of Otoyomegatari are always a bit of a mixed bag for me.  They’re usually tough to write about for starters, and on some level they can feel a bit thin after a two-month wait.  On the other hand, no dialogue means Mori is going crazy with the visuals, and who in their right mind wouldn’t want to see more of that?

As we saw last time, a high-stakes horserace was about the begin.  The stakes being the survival of Azel’s (and Amir’s) clan, pretty much, and the formation of an alliance against the Russians.  And that’s the chapter, pretty much.  The women’s “Teke” horses are suitably impressive (Karluk and Amir are suitably impressed).  As for Azel, he stays focused on the “nice horse” woman – who I presume to be the oldest sister.  Azel isn’t the type to betray being impressed about anything, but he has his hands full with this opponent.

One interesting development comes when one of the younger sisters singles out one of Azel’s brothers (sorry, I don’t remember any of their names).  She declares him to be cute, and offers to throw the race if he’ll marry her.  I’m not sure why he chooses to look that gift horse in the mouth (pun intended) but if I were a betting man I’d certainly bank on those two winding up together.

Apart from that, it’s just the usual Mori magic.  Sweeping vistas, gorgeous horses, gorgeous people.  One could almost get tired of it, she delivers it so consistently.  But if you’re a manga fan, to be tired of that is to be tired of life.