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Hilmes thoughts that I'm considering thanks to my fic. It occurs to me that Hilmes is basically... roughly the inverse of Kaykhusraw. To elaborate on that involves novel spoilers through to the end of the series, so consider yourselves warned.

Kaykhusraw: unified Pars under his banner with an army he raised himself Hilmes: invaded Pars under the Lusitanian banner as a 'guest general' of Lusitania

Kaykhusraw: defeated and sealed Zahhak using Rukhnabad Hilmes: attempted to take Rukhnabad and helped facilitate Zahhak's return

Kaykhusraw: first Shah of Pars Hilmes: never actually becomes king

Kaykusraw: betrayed and killed by his own son Hilmes: a son who was betrayed by his own 'father', who ordered his death

Kaykhusraw: founder of his dynasty, royal line began with him Hilmes: last of that lineage, the royal line died with him

Oof.

Am I using this pattern to inform my ever-growing set of personal Kaykhusraw headcanons? Yes.

the fox god.

a comic about a trickster.

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Arslan Senki chapter 123 translation is out!!

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The Heroic Legend of Arslan Chapter 123

Read The Heroic Legend of Arslan Chapter 123 Online For Free

Slightly tidied up Google Translate of the blurb on the right:

'A battle in which Pars attacked Lusitania, an invader. In the fog caused by sorcery, the Parsian cavary charged, fooled by Kharlan, an ally of Hilmes. However, what awaited them was a huge fault. The Parsian army fell into this natural pit and was covered in oil and hit by flaming arrows. Seeing that the front line had collapsed, Andragoras retreated and was captured by Hilmes's ambush. More than half the Parsian army was killed, but Arslan was rescued thanks to Daryun's bravery in battle.'

I thought this was interesting because it gives a view of the formation before the Parsian cavalry charge, and it's a little different to the battle map included with Chapter 3 of the manga:

The first map I shared is from the Battle Guide section of the mook 英雄譚 (光文社ブックス 81). I have no idea whether they consulted Tanaka himself about the precise details of the lineup here because I don't think the novels stated the exact positions of the Marzbans aside from Daryun's removal and reassignment to the rear of the army, so whether or not you want to take it as canon is up to you, but I did think it was notable that of the front line, Kubard is the only survivor. That's pretty incredible. And also you can see that Shapur is stationed behind him, and must have had to move forward in support when their front line fell into the pit and collapsed.

However, I did also like Arakawa's take on it because it features Kubard and Shapur at opposite ends of the line, which is exactly where they were rumoured to stand when all the Marzbans were lined up before Andragoras.