Nice The True Shield Hero has arrived
with a large shield at her back and a baton in her waist.
In LN, she carries it with her hand when they met Arihito and I still think its much more massive compared to her physique
I still didn't think that Rikizo will cheap out with the boss being like a baby groot (but i guess its his own rendition). It should be a massive plant when it sprouted after he smashed that flower on Sophie and that petal that got plucked suddenly is its skill to get away.
I honestly don't remember any of these past few chapters being in the LN. I coulda just forgotten everything though... might need to reread
you just forgot it entirely. Rikizo's version is too concise and he change some of the scenes but remained faithful at least on some like Arihito using his skill to smash that flower.
It's quite different from the WN version (maybe it got revised on LN version).
In WN, after defeating Vine Puppeteer, there's no scene about Sophie straightly died in that place (we didn't know she's really died here or not). The girl in the end of ch who has a big shield, is leader of Guild Saber named Seraphina. Her interaction with Atobe is just giving warning to prioritize his party safety rather than trying to fight back, yeah just that. Guild Saber is something like "rescue squad" and mostly handle missing party or dangered party inside dungeons. She giving Atobe warning because his action as party leader can bring more casualties. In the end, she still thanked for carried their mission on behalf.
There's no difference really on what happened in LN. Sophie is used as a puppet with full control since the boss transferred the flower on her body. Arihito just notice it early with his skill. Seraphina's position in the Guild Saviors is a lieutenant. So i do think the "captain" mentioned is only referring only as the leader of the group. There's much more higher rank if the manga will continue more on the next district.
Funny that we got a new chap after i read vol 3 of the ln.
Gotta say i prefer the manga art to the ln art.
Edit: rereading the chap did manga change the harpy names? Himiko is the name of the eldest harpy.
chapter 28 is the latest one released last month and since its more of a bi monthly expect another on July or August.
In LN, they got their names after they defeated the boss. It's accurate and their names originates on historic periods and Himiko is the only one referring to a queen's name. As i remember Arihito just thought that Himiko should be suited more on the eldest one.