**CONTENT WARNING:** Allusion of sexual abuse and blackmail, portrayal of domestic violence and gender-based violence to both MC and other side characters. None of it is done by ML, tho. I've first read this many, many years ago. And I finally caught up to it and read its ending. I must admit that the gap between what I felt back then and what I'm feeling now is pretty stark. Basically, the story can be divided into three general themes. First is the story of Priscilla, the MC, as she lives her second life and vanquishes obstacles to her life and her family territory. For as much as thisis just standard isekai power fantasy premise, this is also where the story shines the brightest.

Priscilla is a decent main character, with a clear motivation and fleshed out personality. The suffering she endured in her first life feels painful, and because of that the moments where Priscilla defeats her initial enemies feels very earned. The narrative also provides plenty of aurafarming and MC glazing moments you'd see in typical isekai plot. Evil characters are punished accordingly, and other characters (barring one major exception) gets to be their most interesting self when they are bounced off against Priscilla.

The second are all the fantasy / territory building / court politics bits. There's quite a bit of variety here, and both the narrative and the (somewhat mediocre) art really try their very best to make the conflicts look impactful. The topics explored are also plenty, if a bit simplistic at times. But ultimately this part falters, because they are primarily nothing but a setup to an isekai power fantasy. There are neither stakes nor tension, only vehicles to bring greatness to Priscilla's newfound status and/or her immense magic power.

While the characters get to be the most interesting when Priscilla is around, the PLOT gets to be the most interesting when she's not around. Or at least, it gets more fun when she's moving from the same level of strength as the rest of the cast and she can't just use her status and/or blast her way to victory.

The third element is the romance between Priscilla and Kian, the ML, a mysterious sword master. I'm sad to admit that in the end this is the weakest part of the story.

That one major exception to the first part? That's Kian. Instead of giving depth, I must say that I think they are both flattening each other with their presence.

Kian is just....a flat character. I mean, he's pretty, and that luscious long locks surely receives a lot of attention by the art, but as a character... he's very two dimensional. Oh, the story sure TRIES to add layers to his character every now and then, but none of them got accompanied with any depth. And after reading other OIs and a few BLs I realize that none of them ultimately makes any ripples either. He starts off the story as this master warrior and devoted husband and by the end, he's....a master warrior and devoted husband. There is no change, no growth.

And the romance is...cute, is fluffy, but there are also no change or growth. I love how supportive and devoted they are to each other at first, but then the plot continues and continues and despite numerous revelations, schemes, and plotting, their relationship doesn't change. And then I read other OIs and realize that while they DO talk to each other and they DO make cute fluffy sounds at each other.... they don't try to learn or understand each other once they got together.

What that does to the overall narrative is that it diminishes the other aspects of the plot. Other characters discuss about overthrowing emperors and disgusting gender norms and business ventures, but when the spotlight falls back to Kian and Priscilla everything just regresses into "I wuv u <3" "no I wuv u more <3", ad nauseam. There are numerous scenes of Kian protecting Priscilla and vice versa, but given how the narrative never puts Priscilla in any sorts of real danger either way, none of it means anything beyond cool action points.

Once again, there is no depth.

Next, I personally have little to no problems about art quality but I know some people here seem to have problems with that. What I DO have a problem is the stiffness. Sometimes the art looks like they're just drawn over 3d assets.

The storytelling quality itself is pretty decent...at first. Again, no stakes or tension, and the plottings are shallow, with everything centering at no one else but Priscilla and Kian as always. But the story is still paced well, fleshing out the many different factions well enough to keep the plot engaging, and it knows to spare some time to wind down (usually through the romance and the business discussion).

But the way they end the story is just WEIRD, man.

They could have ended the story after the empire arc and let the story end in a high. Instead they somehow push through, throwing random things before bringing back the first timeline and a final JRPG boss out of nowhere.

I sympathize if there's like, some editorial interference, if there's meant to be another arc that was cut short because of some production mishaps, but otherwise... I'm just confused.

And that is also where I am, now. No proper end to this review, because I don't even know how to conclude this bundle of scattered thoughts.