As with the first Side Colors volume, Side Colors II departs once more from Lawrence and Holo's travels north, taking the reader off the beaten path to explore three exquisite side stories. Remember, it's not so much about the destination, as it is the journey... !--EndFragment--
The life of a traveling merchant is a lonely one, a fact with which Kraft Lawrence is well acquainted. Wandering from town to town with just his horse, cart, and whatever wares have come his way, the peddler has pretty well settled into his routine-that is, until the night Lawrence finds a wolf goddess asleep in his cart. Taking the form of a fetching girl with wolf ears and a tail, Holo has wearied of tending to harvests in the countryside and strikes up a bargain with the merchant to lend him the cunning of "Holo the Wisewolf" to increase his profits in exchange for taking her along on his travels. What kind of businessman could turn down such an offer? Lawrence soon learns, though, that having an ancient goddess as a traveling companion can be a bit of a mixed blessing. Will this wolf girl turn out to be too wild to tame?
Scheming abounds in Kerube, and the fate of the entire town hangs in the balance! Lawrence has gotten swept up in machinations--again--and this time he's not even sure which side he's on. With Holo's help, he's going to have to see through the lies to discover the truth of the plans surrounding the narwhal, and if he fails, not only will crucial information about Holo's homeland slip through his fingers, but the merchant woman Eve could pay the ultimate price! This manga adaptation of Isuna Hasekura's acclaimed Spice & Wolf novel series, also available from Yen Press, is an investment that promises the greatest of entertainment returns!
In search of information about Yoitsu, Lawrence and company arrive in the port town of Kerube. Soon after encountering the merchant woman Eve, it quickly becomes apparent that there are deals afoot with big profits at stake. Navigating the various parties all angling for a piece of the action, though, is no easy business, even with a wisewolf on your side! This manga adaptation of Isuna Hasekura’s acclaimed Spice & Wolf novel series, also available from Yen Press, is an investment that promises the greatest of entertainment returns!
As Holo and Lawrence begin the final leg of their journey, Lawrence decides to accompany Holo to her ancient home of Yoitsu, if only to forestall their parting just a bit longer. Boarding a ship from the port of Lenos (much to the chagrin of the wisewolf, who is none too fond of water!), the pair's fate becomes entangled with that of a boy named Col, whose tale of his circumstances - combined with the gossip of the sailors - leads to a shocking revelation about Holo's homeland!
Having narrowly escaped financial ruin, Lawrence turns his attention to helping Holo find her ancient homeland in the North. But how long can a traveling merchant afford to wander the countryside looking for a village that he suspects may have ceased to exist long ago? When a rival merchant sets his sights on Lawrence's beautiful companion, though, can Lawrence truly be confident that Holo will remain by his side? Has the time come when Lawrence must ask himself whether his relationship with the Wisewolf is business or pleasure?
Lawrence and Holo have settled into an idyllic life together after opening the Spice and Wolf bathhouse, but their happy marriage is suddenly intruded upon by an unexpected guest. During Nyohhira's sleepy off-season, the gruff stranger wanders alone from door to door as if in search of fleeting memories from long ago. Soon after his silent arrival, rumors about the possible construction of a rival hot spring village begin to spread. To protect their new home, the wise wolf and the cunning merchant return to the town of Svernel, but what they find there may spell the end of their adventures for good...
The young man Col and the daughter of the Wisewolf, Myuri, survived the scripture riots in the port town of Atiph. Col spends intense days being pined for after Myuri tells him about her love. Meanwhile, Heir Hyland commissions them for another next job. In the coming war with the Church's forces, control over the strait between the Kingdom of Winfiel and the mainland will play a crucial role. While Myuri is excited for a new adventure, Col cannot hide his unease after hearing about potential heresy among certain pirates for their faith in the "Black-Mother"!
The aspiring priest Col and Myuri, daughter of the wisewolf Holo and the merchant Lawrence, are finally settled into Atiph City with the help of Heir Hyland. Setting the noble from Winfiel Kingdom’s ambitious plan into motion, Col and a group of local scribes devote themselves to transcribing the scriptures into the vernacular. But spreading the words of God strays from the path of righteousness as Our Book of God becomes a catalyst of unruly contempt towards the Church. Is this revolt too a part of Heir Hyland’s vision? While Col clings to his naïve faith in humanity’s goodness, he needs Myuri’s wisdom more than ever.
Continuing their journey north, Lawrence and Holo stop in the village of Tereo in hopes of finding a local abbey where they might uncover more information regarding the fate of Holo's ancient home, Yoitsu. Soon after their arrival, though, the companions are caught up in a local dispute between Tereo and the neighboring town of Enberch that could cost Lawrence and Holo both their fortunes and their lives! With the Wisewolf's help, can Lawrence devise a way to save an entire town from ruin - and his skin and that of his traveling companion in the process?