Overall, the best volume yet, I think. Though, the first volume in this (8) was actually terrible, things get drastically better pretty much immediately after it, and they stay good.

Guts and Griffith and Casca all get developed much better as characters (though Casca particularly isn’t really great, always being a foil to the guys, or else failing in battle and needs to be saved despite being told she’s good and competent at battle), there’s a very surprising turn of events after Guts makes a decision with a lot of groundwork, which was great.

There is even more mystery introduced. There’s an eclipse to happen soon, which… maybe is when all this devil stuff happens? Griffith loses possession of the necklace Guts has in the future. Guts has to deal with some trauma. For a sensual but not all that sexual, aside from assault, kind of a lot of sex happens. And we aren’t sure why Griffith did what he did, which adds to the mystery. Was he in pain from Guts decision? Was he just being a villain and wanted to harm the king and/or princess? Is this, somehow, a part of his plan? If so, boy is committed.