Ahaha. Took me a second but I see what you did there. Way to diffuse the tension in this uproarious comment section

I agree that reply felt really disrespectful, entitled, and condescending to me.

We’re all getting to enjoy all of this amazing and free content from this generous hard working author and then this person comes to hate on the author’s personal tastes in media that she was open enough to share with us. As well as shaming her, calling into question her mental health, and using the idea of therapy as an insult to throw at her.

In my opinion, as readers we’re allowed to voice our opinions and criticism of the chapters. When we start to criticize the author as a person though, that is crossing a line.

Feels very antithetical to the generally supportive culture of the innworld fandom and I’m so glad to see that others came to the defense and support of our beloved author.

I’m honestly surprised that Pirateeba would even deign to dignify that comment with a response. Although her reply was so unbothered that it was also kind of a mic drop moment. Here I am – all up in arms, offended and outraged, and Pirateeba is just like “actually you’re totally wrong and I’m also totally unaffected, la di da da da”

I’m sorry but I don’t see the goblins as being equivalent to Jews. Neither the context of the battle or the situation is the same. If you think like this then every struggle in tbe world will remind you of this. Does it?

If you were to replace his character with someone who grew up in the Innverse and changed none of his actions, I would be 100x more sympathetic to that hypothetical character. Laken’s thoughts and actions in the context that he’s from a modern Earth AND GERMAN make him irredeemable in my eyes.

For those that aren’t reading every comment and are skipping to the bottom (like me), springmage put this into better words than I could have over 6 years ago:

“So let me get this straight. In about three months a German person named Laken has:
– used a large scale misfortune of an impoverished community to assume total control
– started a weapons program with the intent of designing and selling artillery, among other things
– gassed the people he perceives as his enemies
– employed shock troops to slaughter women and children”

While the chemical weapons infuriate me—I can partially understand given Laken’s interactions with Goblins thus far. Especially considering they were all from Tremborag’s tribe. However, he can sense that this group is different. Up to this point he has only dealt with raiding parties full of warriors, but this is a tribe with pack animals, wagons, food, women and children! While the result would still be sad if these actions were taken by someone who grew up in this world, we have to hold people from Earth to a higher moral standard than the people of the Innverse.

Even if we ignore the Goblins for a minute, because I know us readers have a personal connection through Rags—Laken is showing signs that he’s power hungry. He’s treating people (both from his empire and the nobles) as tools. He’s introducing advanced weaponry into the world for his own personal gain. Yes, trebuchets exist already, but Pirateaba makes it very clear that they’re unattainable for the vast majority of armies. His idea of the Empire’s main export being knowledge is a great one that would benefit him and have a positive impact on the world, so the war machines are unnecessary.

Incredible writing Pirateaba! I love this story and I know this is a fantastic chapter because of how much hatred I feel for it. I would be apathetic if this were unbelievable or I were falling out of love with this story, but my hated and my wish for these characters to make better choices shows just how invested into this story I am. I can’t wait to read more!

Unfortunately he can’t really take does risks, he’s massively outnumbered. My theory is that the [Knight] (Sir Kerrig?) will somehow stop it

I love Laken

There’s no reason for him to assume the goblins are NOT actively trying to kill him; he has experienced multiple goblin attacks and now a big army is marching directly towards Riverfarm. Of course it’s mostly a big coincidence, but with him being massively outnumbered there’s no room for error, he has to use every opportunity and method available. Also, the goblins did slaughter that other army, so that’s that.

It makes sense that he would bring weapons like trebuchets into this world, how else is he supposed to protect his empire? Of course selling them is another thing, but it’s not like they don’t exist in this world. The drakes have them, so why shouldn’t the humans? Especially when there’s a necromancer goblin lord in the area.