Oh wow, I can't believe I missed this reply! Itch's notification system is weird.
Regarding the other old characters, we felt like Torin is the most neglected by now, and how the narrative seems to be forgetting Dylus more and more lately. With such a big cast, it's no wonder, but it is unusual how much Dylus seems to be fading off screen lately. Other than that, we liked the dinner at the Pope's with the many new nobles from other kingdoms introduced. I find the timid lion priest the cutest. guess I have a type pfff
My reading group had pretty similar impressions I'd say, we didn't have any big disagreements or debates. Some of my friends who watch anime more than me were screaming at the shonen fight scenes and trying to figure out which anime exactly inspired those poses. Other than that, the entire reading group was intrigued by the first seven deadly sins general's design and we're curious to see the remaining six. The overall mood of the reading group is: let Kur keep cooking.
The fact that we're getting more characters and plotlines introduced this late into the story made me realise that the pacing and structure kinda reminds me of fantasy webcomics (visible art evolution of the author through the year included). I only hope this game will avoid the most common pitfall of webcomics and isekai FVNs: going on for years and years and eventually being abandoned and unfinished.