One thing that felt off: the villagers’ extreme lack of salt seems a bit extreme for a modern context? Even remote villages usually have some access. I hope later chapters explain why the outside world hasn’t helped them, or if there’s some disaster blocking aid. It’s a minor nitpick.
I’m a bit annoyed that we don’t get to see the actual meeting with the crew yet. The excerpt ends just before the big speech. That’s a cliffhanger that really makes you want to read more. Did Shougo convince them? Did Mark cause trouble? Or did the Colonel somehow intercept the message? The suspense is killing me.
The detail about her having a fake ID from Planet M77 that only works for bus rides is such a small but perfect detail. It shows how she's been scraping by on the edges of society. And the fact that the gate accepted her palm print anyway because of those Noahde? That felt like a lucky break, but also a little convenient.
The language in this novel is a bit stiff sometimes, like it’s translated from another language. Phrases like “suiyan empire” or “northern border wilderness” sound straight out of a Wuxia novel but in an English context. It gives it a unique flavor, but occasionally the grammar trips me up. Still, it’s readable and doesn’t ruin the immersion.
The dialogue between Ragnar and the other nobles at the meeting felt real. You could sense the tension and respect mixed with jealousy. That’s how politics worked back then.
Her decision to refuse the engagement was actually a sign of real growth! "For now, I'll just tell my father that I don't need a fiancée for a while." She was trying to be responsible and not drag him down with her bad reputation. She was actively trying to be selfless for the first time in her life... and then Alan just steamrolled her decision.