Mangaka will often times do something special when a 100th chapter rolls around. It is rather a milestone after all, all the more so for a monthly (not even) series like Otoyomegatari. Not so Mori Kaoru, at least not in this case. Her worst chapters are better than most author’s best, but this was very much of the moment rather than landmark. It picked up where 2021’s final chapter left off and offered no pomp and circumstance about it.
That means we got another largely dialogue-free chapter chronicling the high-speed, high-stakes, high-octane race between Azel and his cousins and the rival clan’s daughters and their Teke horses. One imagines Mori could write this sort of thing in her sleep, though she most certainly did not. It’s not an exceptional chapter story-wise and it even strikes me as having less than her usual level of background detail, but it’s still gorgeous. To be honest I spent most of it worrying that one of those horses was going to break their leg on that rocky course.
“Nice Horse” has a strategy to carry the day, even as Azel gets to the designated arrows first. She slices one out of his hands, then grabs the rest of them and fires them away into the hills – keeping only the one necessary to win the race. This certainly changes the dynamic of the contest, but Azel is nothing if not stubborn – he’s not going to be put off by this. Who knows, that might even have been the real purpose for Nice Horse – test Azel’s resolve, and see just how badly he wants to win this thing.
LimsKragma
January 28, 2022 at 9:29 pmI honestly think that Kaoru Mori cannot ever disappoint me with a chapter. Even those 6-7 pages ones with almost no dialogue, when she was taking a few breaks between chapter, were amazingly gorgeous. Not to mention how in awe I am by the extensive research done for the story – not only on the visuals, by time period, historical context and social context. I loved Emma, but Otoyomegatari surpasses it greatly.
The twist in the race in this chapter is so amusing. I was not expecting it.
Guardian Enzo
January 28, 2022 at 9:58 pmI can’t quite figure out if Nice Horse wants Azel to win or not.
elianthos80
January 28, 2022 at 10:52 pmIt’s a test of his worth either way. Depending on how he comes out of this situation she’ll accept him… or not. Lady is not interested in quitters, as handsome as they might appear. Gotta be determined, resourceful and quick to think apparently.
LimsKragma
January 29, 2022 at 12:09 amYes, this is probably the case. It was mentioned previously that the match is not ideal for the brides’ side, so I would guess they want to test additionally if these people could keep to their word and part of the bargain.
So far Nice Horse does not give the impression of being too keen on this, so I would think she does not want them to win the race, but I might be wrong and she could just not be particular about it.