maid of horror 
i used to like the meta narrative in a villains end is not a choice, as bizarre as that title sounds. otome isekai's exploration of choice and what choices are allowed to you and what arent. is interesting as always. as always im hoping the plot wont simply steamroll all the diversions it finds in its way. villains end is weird in that the villainess is too op. which evelia justifies to us again and again that in a world where power and ability is concentrated in a few individuals,, fittingly i suppose for a monarchy even tho that is more of a setting, a costume,, a world suitable to be a stage for the few and the powerful, evelias titles and her abilities only serve to make the main characters look good as they strive against a fearsome opponent.
i suppose the foreshadowing telling us that the world simply ceases to function when not in the presence of characters of significance is an interesting premise, only failed by the fact that a tertiary character like reaf (supposed ml) has not only gained knowledge of this novel world but hes starting to act in opposition to the wider plot. so that glitch like effect cannot be true. if his behind the scenes action happens to hold water and impact on screen events. which brings to question as to why evelia could not break free from the confines of her role. shes still being punished for disregarding the plot but the memories of the characters are not being overriden. the og male lead is still very much under the effect of frequent memory wipes to puppeteer him into having an unfavourable impression of the evelia but the others are starting to discern the difference in evelias attitude (cue classic otome isekai lovesick woman that turns apathetic and detached due to the grim prospects she has to face and coincidentally suddenly much more desirable or less heinous now that she has relinquished her agency which was what little agency the poor lovestruck fool had access to, the active role of evil doing. and she instead relegated herself into becoming more of a background character, at least hypothetically. that troupe.
this isekai could work so well. but its so gosh darn men centric at the same time that it makes me want to chuck my phone at the wall. why are beloved works so frustrating to love. i hate how evelia is restrained, told to reign in via the plot despite all her capabilities and all the power that she so rightfully holds. instead it is her subordinate that steps up because of course the main character is a hapless damsel in distress, resigned to her fate. we are reading a power fantasy, at least i think it is one but where is the emancipation in this? idk i just cant take this superficial method of her life being put at stake by increasing bouts of assassination attempts when she so very easily has the means to defend herself from such circumstances. surely that connection to the underworld point was not all for nought?
