@Ekfreet
Actually, Japan was one country where women had higher standing compared to Europe at the same period. In Japan, women could inherit holdings and had a better standing due to often being the highest ranking in the relationship (basically, men married them because the rank of someone is...
"A name whose feat would become legend". Hmm try as I may I can't seem to find a character that would fit Shin's position, is he a real character even?
Also it is heavily hinted that Kiss-Shot let herself be defeated as she wanted to die (that's the whole reason why she got back to Japan in the first place) but she panicked and realized she still wanted to live.
@bthao If i'm not wrong she's Serebryakova's friend who often gives her tips. I didn't know she was a spy and I don't remember this happening in the LN.