Wow, the issue is a deep-seated one. I get the feeling there is Mushoku Tensei levels of TURNING POINTS on the horizon. Like if a foreign power invaded, and Kate and Emilyko had to run off and survive, something on the level of shattering our understanding of the setting all at once. But does the author have the courage to make such a leap that has destroyed many series? Or rather, are they held in high enough esteem by their editors, and allowed to stand out from the standard published content? We are at the cusp of finding out how ambitious the author is!
@Nerex Please don't understate. This is a "FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK" kind of manga.
And for other people wondering whether to read it or not: I can't remember ever reading another manga that'd make me look forward to new chapters with both anticipation and dread. Huge anticipation. Huge dread.
Chapter 46 gives me the impression that this title is just a giant metaphor of child labor in industrial Britain. Young children working in dangerous and polluted environments until they are integrated into the machination of capitalism, forever slaves to the bourgeoisie and the invisible hand of the market.
The foreshadowing and vague hints about what's going on were played with just long enough, and we got our big infodump explaining the premise exactly when things were getting convoluted, no sooner. Really solid pacing, interested in seeing where it goes now that we actually know the details.
It appeared that this manga was written as some of the King Diamond conceptual stories. Even the classic setting and the type of horror and occultism it handles is similar.