Excalibur Chronicle of Raidorl (WN)

Raidorl Zain was born and raised as the second prince of the Kingdom of Zain. Raidorl lived a peaciful life surrounded by his kind elder brother and loyal vassals, however his fate completely changed drastically during his coming-of-age ceremony when he was chosen to be the holder of “Dáinsleif “, the excalibur (sacred sword) of the royal house. His brother the first prince started to hate him as an enemy that threatened his claim to the throne, his vassals and even his own fiancée abandoned him and he was banished to a town in develpment at the borders alone. Since then, Raidorl has struggled to survive at the borders that were a monster’s domain, gaining the trust of those around him, he found a new happiness with his friends in that poor and harsh life. However… his fate change once again when the neighboring Arsline Empire started to invade the Kingdom of Zain. Forced by his brother to fight to protect the kingdom from the Empire’s invasion, Raidorl decides to plot a rebellion against the overly selfish demands of all those people that banished him. When the exiled prince takes the sacred sword on his hand, the curtains of a new heroic legend will open! The sacred sword legend that started with “Rebellion”, begins here!

Original Publisher

syosetu

Original Language

japanese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on Excalibur Chronicle of Raidorl (WN) I dove into *Excalibur Chronicle of Raidorl* with a healthy dose of curiosity. The premise of an antihero protagonist navigating a world of betrayal, family conflict, and the looming threat of war seemed promising. The seinen tag also suggested a level of maturity and depth that I often appreciate. However, my experience was a bit of a rollercoaster. ### First Impressions Initially, I was intrigued by Raidorl's journey. The early chapters establish a world ripe with political intrigue and personal struggles. The protagonist, while not necessarily likeable, is certainly compelling. I found myself wanting to know more about his motivations and how he would overcome the obstacles in his path. ### What Works Well The concept of holy sword bearers is interesting and provides a solid foundation for the unfolding narrative. The author clearly has a vision for a complex world filled with powerful individuals and hidden agendas. There are moments of genuine intrigue, especially when the protagonist displays his intelligence and resourcefulness. ### Areas of Concern Unfortunately, the pacing quickly became a significant issue for me. The chapters often feel incredibly short, leaving me wanting more substance. This fragmented approach makes it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story and connect with the characters. It feels as though the plot advances at a snail's pace, and the impact of individual chapters is diminished. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning I must also address a potential shift in the storyline that some readers have pointed out. Apparently, the narrative veers away from the initial focus on kingdom expansion and political warfare towards a more apocalyptic scenario involving "doom witches." This abrupt change in direction might not sit well with readers who were invested in the original trajectory of the story. ### Final Verdict *Excalibur Chronicle of Raidorl* holds potential, but its execution leaves something to be desired. While the core concept and the protagonist's antiheroic nature are appealing, the slow pacing and potential plot deviations raise concerns. I recommend approaching this novel with caution and a willingness to accept its flaws. It might be worth waiting for a potential Light Novel adaptation, which could address some of the pacing issues and refine the overall narrative.