I like how even within a fantasy setting the characters and conflicts are very realistic. It's not as simple as good and bad, and though a character might have their victories doesn't mean you always feel like celebrating them. The very nature of the politics in play measured against the distribution of power makes it impossible for even well intentioned characters to live and act as they want. Moreover, who looks in right or wrong really depends on who's perspective you choose to look at things through. As they say, everyone is the hero of their own story.

@Mims I really enjoyed how you expressed Saya's character, I can tell you understand her well. I really liked how the author included and carried out this character. She's got more substance than a simple antagonist and there are both moments you hate her and moments you care for her. Told from another perspective she could have easily been the heroine which makes it all the more meaningful that she failed. In another story she should have been the character who was redeemed or victorious but in reality sometimes it doesn't matter your strength, intentions, efforts or sacrifices, you still may fail. Or likewise, just because you are trying to achieve good doesn't mean you can't end up doing horrible things along the way. She's a character who really shows off the idea of duality.

People always wondered why Saya is my favorite character. Saya is the one character who is neither supremely intelligent, beautiful, loyal nor the supreme embodiment of sacrifice. She has nothing to commend her, in short.

However, if I had been born with the responsibility of protecting thousands of lives, would I have shied away from committing cruel acts against a handful of individuals if it meant a chance to save my people? Individuals who, to Saya, are sympathizers with the governing class that desires to destroy her people.

To Saya, her people were worth more than harem concubines, maidservants, Mirage aristocrats, Emperors and Empress Dowagers. To Saya, her people were worth more than what she holds dearer than life, her dignity.

The Empress Dowager holds Peace Treaties and Pacts of Non-Aggression cheap as shows her treatment of the Fire and Snow People. And the Mirage aristocrats have, to spare their own lives and for personal profit, dismantled the Mirage Army, removing the last rampart of protection the Mirage People had. Saya is right. The Mirage People are on the verge of annihilation. And one does not buy peace through weakness. Peace and liberty are wrenched out of an enemy’s grasp and are paid for with one’s life.

The only way Saya had to protect her people from afar was to coerce a reclusive Emperor into a political alliance. This way, the Empress Dowager’s military power could have been undermined. She did everything she could. And failed.

With great power come great responsibilities. Saya had all the responsibilities and no power.

Two of the main themes of The Queen are genocide and ethnic cleansing. “The Dame of the Sun” is a chapter about a woman who has failed to protect her people. And who, since she cannot lead them on the path to peace, wishes at least to lead them on the path to death.

The way translators make how they talk can get entrancing sometimes. Fits with the aesthetic.

@blackhat Spirit nose bleed powers, remember?

This story just keeps getting better and better. I cant wait until they finally get a chance to get rid of the Empress Dowager though, she's quite the bitch too.
Also,Spoiler