Ad Astra per Aspera chapter 03
アド アストラ ペル アスペラ ch 03

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis:

Shinobu gets instructions from Versailles as well as a lighter in the shape of a gun and a smoke bomb in the shape of a hand grenade.

Elsewhere, the Imperial Army’s Sol Branch’s Peerless Ace, Satella (Stella) is at the firing range when her captain reports to her. She recalls her mother’s words about treating everyone with kindness, but she also remembers witnessing her mother execute a student. Her captain reports on the terrorist Shibou, which troubles Satella. Her captain asks if she’ll be able to kill Shinobu on site, as the orders indicate, which she says she will, providing that’s the correct course of action.

The captain asks about the business Satella has to deal with, so she reports that as the guardian of her younger brothers, she’s having to go buy medicine since they have colds. She’s also concerned that the oldest of her little brothers has become quite rebellious. The captain promises to send her the info on Shinobu when it comes in as she takes off to get the medicine.

Meanwhile, Shinobu makes it to the pharmacy with no problem and finds the medicine, but he only has ¥628 and the brand of medicine he’s trying to get costs ¥721. The other brands are more expensive, so Shinobu contemplates stealing the medicine, but when he witnesses a boy stealing stuff, he stops the boy after seeing a live interview with his robot mom, who encourages Shinobu to do what he feels is right.

After the boy puts the item back, Satella thanks Shinobu for stopping her troublesome younger brother. Shinobu downplays it and confesses that he was about to shoplift as well since he was ¥100 short. She gives Shinobu ¥100 as a reward and reminds him not to commit a crime as she’d have to take him in.

Shinobu buys the medicine and is attempting to leave when Satella gets a report on her phone, identifying the terrorist Shinobu. She’s shocked to see his picture, but stops Shinobu to ask if he’s HAZUKI Shinobu.

Thoughts/Review:

Ha!ha! Was that Athena from Hayate the Combat Butler I just saw there as Satella’s mom? I doubt it, but the resemblance is uncanny.

Satella (I think the name will probably be Stella, but I’ll go with the other for now) is an unexpected inclusion into the story. I say this because the way her character is given a bit of background with her mother’s advice and the fact that she witnessed her mother shoot a teen boy suggests that she’ll be a long term character. I kinda hope she is, but we’ll see where the story goes.

Regardless, for her to be only 15 (Shinobu’s age) and have such a high ranking office in the Imperial Army is impressive. We were shown her incredible gun skills, and this chapter gives the implication that she worked quite hard to get where she’s at. That alone makes her an interesting character whom I’d like to see continue in the manga. I’d like to see her be an ally of Shinobu. I think this could be the case as Shinobu has shown her that he’s not the evil person depicted in the TV broadcasts (dealing with her brother the way he did).

I wonder what happened to her mom. I’m guessing she was killed in the line of duty, which is why Satella has to take care of her little brothers.

Versailles is a bit of a troll character for an A.I. mecha unit. I laughed at it giving Shinobu what looked like a Walther P38, only to have it be a lighter, and a hand grenade that is merely a smoke bomb that will harm the one who throws it. Versailles really comes off like Yukiji at times.

In the end, we have an interesting chapter that does a good job introducing new character Satella, whom I believe will be around for a while. Now lets see if Shinobu can get back with the medicine for Patty.