Light Novel: Sword Oratoria 6

Sword Oratoria Vol 6
Rating: 4/5
Buy or Borrow: Buy
Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher! 

Many will brave the Dungeon, if it lets them escape their past...Now that their big expedition is over, Loki Familia is headed to Port Meren in search of the rumored second entrance to the Dungeon. After arriving, everyone finally gets a chance to relax on the gorgeous beaches of the lakeside city, even if it's all thanks to their goddess's obviously ulterior motives. But before they settle in, a storm arrives! Kali Familia and their patron deity of carnage have made landfall, ready to stir up trouble. What's worse, there seems to be bad blood between them and the Amazon twins, Tione and Tiona! As sinister shadows darken Meren, the two sisters are forced to face their turbulent history! 

Volume 6 hits us with a creepily ominous opening, before we head to Loki Familia and everyone's levelling up post-expedition. Then the plot moves swiftly forward as the girls head to Port Meren for a little vacation, Tione, Tiona, Aiz, Lefiya, Riveria and the addition of Leene and Aki who we get to know more. It also turns out our Aiz has a weakness...she can't swim. Which may pose a slight problem in this new setting. 

I've been excited for this volume ever since I read the synopsis a while ago, because we get to see the world of the series expand and be built up more as we explore a new location with Loki Familia, who are searching for the second entrance to the dungeon to do some investigating after a new monster was sighted there. 

While initially we see the girls get to let loose and have some fun...and try to teach Aiz how to swim, it's not too long before the action really starts and it's Tione and Tiona's time to shine this volume as they utilise their dive skill to search underwater. But not only that...a lot of the focus this volume is on the two of them as some faces from their past pop up. Kali, a goddess, plus two more Amazon's, Bache and Argana, and Tione is definitely not happy to see them again. Tiona isn't quite as vehement/angry as her sister initially but then the two of them do contrast in behaviour. 

With the focus on our two Amazons this volume we finally get to delve in to their past, as we find out more of their background and history and where they're from. It's kind of made me look at them in a different way....more seriously perhaps? Tione has always been the girl hilariously after Finn but I definitely take her more seriously now. This volume also has a lot of focus on the bond between the two twins, Tiona is so much more than she first appears. She's always carefree and laughing but what she did to protect Tione is heart breaking. Meanwhile Tione is the one usually looking out for Tiona. I actually really enjoyed getting to delve in to their relationship and past, and see this other side to them and it was really brilliantly done. 

Alongside all of that, we get to meet a couple of new Gods, Njordor who's an old friend of Loki's and Ishtar. Plus we get to explore more of the history of Orario. We have a nice mystery woven in with what's going on with the Twins too. Loki and co are investigating the Viola's, but it seems Njordor and perhaps the Governor of the port are up to no good and hiding what's going on. Plus, it would appear Kali and her Amazon's are obviously there for a reason...other than making things difficult for the twins. It's not long before we figure out they're involved in Ishtar's scheme against Freya. 

This volume we build up the mystery, and build up the tension as pieces of the plot fall in to place, before edge of the seat, brutal fight scenes with Tione and Tiona literally fighting for their lives. Meanwhile Loki is getting all Sherlock on the scheme taking place in the port. I have to say, the scene at the end when all the other members, Bete, Finn etc, assembled and joined the chaos was brilliant and resulted in much cheering! I really just live for Bete and his snide attitude. 

The final part of the book is action packed and heart warming with it being reinforced that Loki Familia is a family, and they don't leave anyone behind. They've got everyones backs. It's a different feel to the main series because we have Bell and Hestia climbing up but their Familia isn't big, and doesn't have as many members etc. 

The final part of Volume 6 promises us a lot more action and tension as there's a scheme still to be played out and there's a new beast about to drop!