- #1
I'm conflicted when it comes to this novel. It feels like it has two extremes to it. One contains a unique and very intriguing world and hierarchy. The monsters are vaguely explained but still do well in the setting. The MC is a weird mix of apathetic/naive and competent but manages to be likeable so far.The other extreme which pulled this novel from 5 stars to 3 in my opinion is the pseudo-harem novel feel. While the tags and actual story so far has no indication of a harem or solid romance, the interactions between MC and the characters in this world give a similar feeling that you would get from a harem novel.Spoiler
The part where a high level female military officer, and adjutant to one of the top four families in the kingdom, picks up a commoner's used underwear and proceeds to vigorously inhale the scent is far from necessary. Include the fact that two noble daughters as well as a military woman from the fort he served at shortly are obsessed with him and it becomes hard to believe that 'harem' isn't a tag on this novel.
[collapse]My conclusion is that Lapis no Shinzou is a good novel that is being dragged down by obscure harem elements. There's a chance that this novel can devolve into the dense MC harem trope because the outline is all there, but I will give the benefit of doubt and continue reading as it updates.