The (tentative) title for the new MoB prequel is Biwajima Hime (琵琶島姬), to be released on February 1st. From a quick search, Biwajima was the name of a castle in Echigo. It was ruled by Usami Sadamitsu, who was one of Uesugi Kenshin's chief retainers and apparently died in his attempt to kill Nagao Masakage supposedly on Kenshin's orders. Nagao Masakage was Kagekatsu's biological father and apparently Kenshin adopted Kagekatsu after his father's death. Seems like the new prequel will be focusing on the Uesugi clan this time, perhaps Kagekatsu will be making an appearance? I need to start reading the MoB prequels.

*

Divine Red is indeed ending, it's mentioned in sensei's 08/01 diary entry. However she's currently working on an extra side volume, so technically speaking there are two more volumes to go. I'm still not very happy, but I'll wait until I've read the novels before I decide if sensei is ending this series prematurely.

*

By the way, does anyone know anything about sensei's two-volume series イルゲネス -The Genetic Sodom ILEGENES- published last year? I can't find any translations or information but I'm interested since it looks like a science-fiction piece. I've listened to the audio drama, which was released together with the Vassalord 'Baby Crisis' track, and have no idea what's going on (there's some kind of war and ILEGENES seems to be something important). Hmm.. the postcard that came with the drama CD made it look a bit like a Western actually.