I haven't personally read the novel but you can really tell the original author and the artist (and whoever is involved in the adaptation production) have REALLY done their work to not only do deep research on the (mental) conditions they present but also to always highlight both the good and bad of the conditions. No character is inherently good or bad, they're (fictional) human beings with conditions that require treatment and perhaps they've chosen to portray some of the more extreme conditions to further the storyline. Still, I personally find that an even greater addition to the plot.
I APPLAUD the decision to have a ML that has a DIAGNOSED condition and has undergone treatment for most of his life and STICK with that. His character is consistent, in both the good and the bad, and being able to understand more of his thought process (even though the manhwa can't really include much since it isn't a novel) also helps the readers to understand his personality better. And before anyone says anything, no. I do not condone the violence he perpetuates or how he treats the Inseob, but I DO appreciate the fact that the author is trying to portray a character with a condition and explore that. I like the very slow development and how they portray the tension because it gives both characters credibility for their actions and thoughts...
I know it will only get more violent as it goes but I'm intrigued into how that will somehow develop the relationship between the two. THIS is how you write a story dark in nature and make it credible enough for people to want to read it. I hope it doesn't disappoint later on ( ̄∇ ̄")
I don't go in-depth with Inseob because he isn't diagnosed (though we can infer a couple of things based on his traits...) but I was very surprised when he himself admitted it's not Stockholm syndrome on his side since what he's done so far goes beyond the definition of the concept... that was shocking. Can't say if I believe him or not but we'll see? ╮( ̄▽ ̄)╭
I actually love Patrizia as a character, not only for her strength and beauty but because she has always been just.
I've seen some ppl complaining about her being 'kind' to the emperor, but I'm actually happy that she's willing to help someone in need whoever that is. Leaving everything aside, the Emperor never had a single person that could aid with his mental disorders (especially when he is having his attacks and seizures). NO ONE deserves to be in such pain and trauma without a single person reaching out to them, no matter who that is. I'm glad he seems to be moving in a positive manner and that he's slowly healing, he deserves that for his own peace of mind.
To be honest, she doesn't really have a choice to "leave" the Emperor. This is why I can't really blame her for the ending.
After Rosemond is executed she requests he divorce and dethrones her - he refuses.
she requests he at least let her live far away from the palace - he refuses.
So she stuck between a rock and a hard place. She chose to make the best of a bad situation and Lucio did whatever he could to prove his worth to her. Also, she was dedicated to role and duty as empress of the nation which she very good at.
She's terrific. Her hatred and desire to save her family was justified. She didn't know all his trauma and abuse and self-loathing. The guy is a product of two abusive women and an apprently useless set of relatives/father/etc.
Her helping him and softening is a sign of good character, not weakness. She knows the real person behind her family's desmise is Rosamund manipulating a damaged man.
Indeed, this is why I find her even more beautiful and admirable as a character. I'm perfectly content with her hating him and letting him know her feelings as well. He does deserve her rage for what he's done to her (although he isn't aware of the past timeline, he's done enough in the present time to justify her hatred).
It takes REAL STRENGTH to lend out a hand to someone you hate when they're most vulnerable, miserable. She understands what's happening to him isn't his fault at all, no one deserves what he went through. Even if it's pity or sympathy, she acts in the best way someone could towards Lucio. I respect her very much and I'd love to become someone who is able to be as just and kind as her.
My comment wasn't really treading towards that in particular (I did read this spoiler in the novel forum). I'm speaking more of the present time where she's still the empress for her family's honor and to take revenge on Rosemund for the past timeline.
I'm unsure of what exactly happens after Rosemund is executed, but I do believe we've been told time and time again it wouldn't be easy anyway for her to abdicate due to the law or something along those lines... I do want to see Lucio's redemption and judge for myself (but at this point in time I don't wish for them to be endgame although I know they are).
Although we knew he'd reach rank 1... I wish they had taken the time to develop the rankers a bit more. At least, rankers 10 to 1 should have been stronger or have more memorable personalities/skills. His fight with Count Nicholas did not feel special or different from other fights at all so it was rather underwhelming ╮( ̄▽ ̄)╭
This being said, I can't wait for him to reorganize the country. All of these factions are really annoying (⌒▽⌒)
Well the ranking battles is only the top 100 in Cairo, not the continent. There's probably a huge disparity in strength between rank 1 and 2, seeing how it was mentioned that rank 1 is ranked 80 in the continent, while rank 2 wasn't mentioned at all.
I think it would be a diff story if it was continental rankers but it was just in cairo.. did you not read that one of the rankers was literally a GATEKEEPER??? If he struggled within cairo's rankings it would kinda be a disappointment cus he defeated Butler and this was a YEAR later
Still, considering they're the top 10 I hoped they'd be at least slightly stronger than the previous 90... which they weren't. It felt like the ranks didn't hold any weight to them at all.
I didn't want him to struggle, you're twisting my words. I said I expected the side characters to at least have more personality or weight to them, not to be mere expendables considering they're supposed to be the strongest out of an entire NATION ╮( ̄▽ ̄)╭ if these were the supposed "strongest", Cairo should have fallen LONG ago to other nations, honestly...