Disappointing volume. The elements that made the story original and fresh before became mundane. Technical advancements and new bureaucratic programs were interesting to read before because they directly tied in with the action. In this volume they were asides.

The Lunarians’ scenario was resolved in a very frightening way. Souma practically mandated that all religions needed to register with the state, and that this would allow the government to safeguard the people, not allowing any harmful belief systems to be officially recognized. So much for freedom of religion.

Slavery was an issue that has troubled me all along, but stood out as asinine in this volume. Before, Souma was making reformations so I could accept its presence in this society. However, now it seems the author is treating it as a resolved issue for the sake of a harem. In this volume, Vargas was appointed to be the head of the new paratroopers and their mobile war island. His daughter, Carla, OTOH continues to change bedsheets. Both are still slaves, but Carla’s character exists as a foil for humor. The author has no use for her other than as entertainment. It’s a terrible way to treat a character, and a very frivolous way to treat slavery.

Lastly, the harem/polygamy aspect of the story has jumped the shark. This element has been present in the series from the beginning, but it was handled with a fresh take that made it palatable to me. Now, all the girls exist only to breed. They are interesting characters when the relationship is undefined, but once Souma conquers their hearts, they become blanks.

What is Liscia’s character? She does everything that the king wants her to do. She blushes when he shows affection and smiles in the morning after she has fulfilled her nightly duties. She expresses dismay when Souma’s ideas are too bold, but opposes none of them. She allows any new addition to her king’s affections with a great sense of duty. I wouldn’t call that a character profile, however. Before, she was a warrior, but now she’s a baby maker.

In the next novel, Souma must travel away for a month. Liscia’s part in the story is over until she pops out an heir. There’s probably a dragon princess waiting for Souma, and there’s also the Saint of the Empire who seems sweet on him. You’d think he’d focus on the girls he already has, but there are new fillies to rope. Yeehaw!

Juna, maritime commander, reduced to a demure, shy violet who is grateful for the Great King’s attention.
Roroa, former princess and financial wizard who cleverly manipulated her kingdom to request annexation is now reduced to a sex kitten who purrs for her turn in bed.
Aisha, elf warrior, is now a horny pet who likes food. Well, she has always been that. Hers was the first character that became a two-dimensional cipher.
Liscia, feisty army commander, is now a codependent shell who needs affection to be validated.

I enjoy reading how this civic servant has taken a magical, medieval world and modernized it while respecting some of its otherworldly flavor. However, the way the author handles women in this series is vapid. Souma has become a benign tyrant. Religion has been trivialized. I know there are another eight volumes in the series with mysteries to unfold, but there are also more mares likely waiting to be roped. After a fun, creative, entertaining first four volumes, I have no interest finding out what happens next.