Azusa’s (not quite) peaceful life continues in the ninth volume of Kisetsu Morita’s I’ve Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level light novel series. This volume includes divine favours, makeovers and a festival.
Front cover of the ninth volume of I’ve Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level, featuring Azusa and Provato Pecora Ariés
I’ve been killing slimes for 300 years, and now… I’m a slime?!
…I mean, just inside a pocket sandbox world, though. I’m a bit worried about getting back home, but it’ll be an adventure anyway! This time, I also get my hair cut (no, not because of a breakup), go on a little date with my daughters, and watch sports in the demon lands… sort of. Not only that, but I also get another (slime) daughter!
Plus, at the end of the book, company president Halkara shares more of her foodie adventures!!
So yeah, there’s quite a bit going on in this volume. Let’s start with the divine favours; apparently the goddesses Azusa has met in this world aren’t exactly all-powerful, and need the Witch of the Highlands to take care of their troubles for them.
Amusingly both contact Azusa in the exact same manner. Fortunately, at different times; I imagine things would get complicated if both tried to speak with Azusa at once.
Still, both lead to some pretty interesting events. It’s amazing what can be found at the bottom of a pond. Then Azusa gets to discover what being a slime is like, along with the rest of the family.
An impromptu haircut also sees Azusa attempt to become more sisterly with Falfa and Shalsha. I’d say that has mixed results; after all, they’ve come this far calling her Mum. Still gives us plenty of cute interactions to enjoy though, and Pecora and Beelzebub showing up only adds to the fun.
Speaking of the demons, their bull fighting event is something that Azusa finds to be incredibly familiar. It takes a little while, but eventually even the excitable Flatorte gets some entertainment out of the event. The new magic introduced in the previous volume is even put to use by Pecora to make the sporting event feel even more like something from our world.
I guess one of the most notable things from this volume, though, is Azusa’s family expanding once more. With how many slimes are killed each day, it would make sense that multiple slime spirits would pop up. This new one could probably be considered a member of Azusa’s extended family. She doesn’t exactly think of Azusa as her mother, but she does make a concession. What she does settle on calling Azusa is pretty funny, actually.
There is one point where Azusa refers to visiting the Great Slime before Rosalie became family – feels like she’s recalling events out of order to me, though. Would’ve made more sense if she had been talking about Sandra. The first Great Slime visit definitely happened after Rosalie came to stay at the House in the Highlands.
Now, is that inconsistency in the original Japanese text, or was it a mistake in translation? I have no idea. Ultimately, though, it’s a minor thing.
Once again, another super fun volume of I’ve Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level. I pretty much always feel this way about the light novels, and that consistent feeling can only be a good thing.
This light novel series will always hold a special place in my heart as a favourite.
Rory Muses 