Chapter Summaries

After the humans captured the Wings of Wayne, Kang De and the captain learned that the elves had lit a surrender signal on the island. Adjutant Mailun offered unconditional surrender and asked to meet their commander with important information.

• The captain thanked Kang De for helping the humans win the battle, and Cleveland ordered the captain to keep Kang De’s role secret.
• Kang De spotted a fire spelling “surrender” on the island, but the captain suspected a trap while Cleveland questioned why the elves would surrender.
• Kang De sent Pigeon across the sea with a video camera to find out what the elves wanted.
• Pigeon found Adjutant Mailun beside the signal fires, holding a white flag and recognizing the camera as a sign of the enemy’s presence.
• Mailun knelt and offered unconditional surrender on behalf of the Wings of Wayne, asking to meet the human commander and deliver important information.

Adjutant Mailun surrendered to the humans and revealed that a breach in the veil threatened the continent, urging them to destroy it with the Wings of Wayne's magic core. After Kang De could not read the warning scroll, his animal companions proposed a way forward, and he agreed to proceed.

• Mailun surrendered on behalf of the Wings of Wayne and gave Cleveland a scroll warning of a breach in the veil in the rift valley.
• Mailun explained that the ship's unstable magic core could destroy the breach, but Master Laclais was dead, and Cleveland knocked Mailun unconscious when he panicked.
• The captain warned that destroying the core would sacrifice the captured elven capital ship's strategic value and might be part of an elven plot.
• Kang De said he had sensed terrifying things in the rift valley but could not read the scroll, whose writing matched the script on the altar.
• Kang De's animal companions indicated they had a way to act, and he agreed to go ahead as Pigeon flew toward the Wings of Wayne.

Parrot took the Wings of Wayne’s magic core and flew into the burning rift to detonate it, where the surviving elves saw Parrot’s radiant wings before the blast. Parrot emerged alive, and the animals’ answering howls echoed across the Holy Seal Archipelago.

• Pigeon showed Parrot the recording of Adjutant Mailun’s plea, and Parrot silently led Kang De and the animals to the magic core.
• Parrot and the animals took the magic core from the guarded chamber after Cleveland ordered the Goths to let them pass.
• Kang De explained that the animals had set the rift ablaze to stop the Black Beasts, and Cleveland offered to carry the core inside before Adjutant Mailun volunteered.
• Parrot lifted the magic core and flew into the flames, where Sir Taize and Captain Estes saw its shining wings before the core exploded.
• Parrot emerged from the blast in a golden light, and the animals raised strange howls that resounded across the archipelago.

After the battle, Kang De struggled with his unease over defeating the elves, whose courage and sacrifice he had witnessed, then woke from a strange dream to Tina's visit. Tina began deciphering the elves' Crimson Scroll and found a warning about the Veil's invasion that ended with the words “White Mist.”

• Parrot fell asleep after saying he was done, and Kang De returned south with him after the battle, leaving the magical animals to guard the island and the prisoners to Goth.
• Kang De dreamed of a magnificent bird possessed by Brother Feifan, woke in fright, and was greeted by A Xing, Tina, and Head Maid Bedela.
• Tina thanked Kang De for helping Goth win the battle and said Goth would calculate his reward; Kang De asked to choose the magic-related items from the Wings of Wayne first.
• Tina showed Kang De the Crimson Scroll the elves had risked their lives to deliver and explained that she could recognize some of its ancient writing.
• Tina tentatively read that the scroll described the Veil's invasion, warning that Void Spirits would devour everything and that something called “White Mist” would appear first.

Kang De panicked after Tina described the white mist in the Crimson Scrolls, then shut himself away while Tina urged him to return to the continent with her. Tina and Bedela returned to Goth Camp, where a knight showed Tina a tablet computer found on the elven adjutant.

• Tina read about the white mist in the Crimson Scrolls, and Kang De grabbed her wrist as he demanded to know more about the Veil Invasion.
• Kang De released Tina and fled to his room, where he broke down in tears and tried to convince himself that his fears were only a coincidence.
• Tina crouched outside Kang De's door, explained that the Crimson Scrolls could be translated with help from scholars across the continent, and invited him to return with her.
• Tina and Bedela left Kang De alone and returned to Goth Camp, where a knight presented Tina with a tablet computer found on the elven adjutant.

Cleveland showed Tina a video from Kang De’s tablet, leading them to suspect he came from the advanced civilization depicted in it and to protect his secret. On Earth, Kang De decided to stop waiting for rescue and seek a way out, then crossed back to the other world.

• Cleveland showed Tina the tablet’s video of a futuristic war and explained that an elven adjutant had brought it through the rift.
• Tina and Cleveland concluded that Kang De might belong to the civilization shown, and Tina agreed Goth could not afford to expose his secret.
• Kang De reread his diary, resolved to seek power and find a way out of the white fog, and promised his family he would live well.
• Kang De walked through the deserted residential complex, left its covered memorial untouched, and said goodbye to Earth before crossing worlds.

Adjutant Mailun explained that Goth wanted to conceal Kang De’s role in the battle to protect him, then asked to meet him. After weighing Mailun’s questions about judging people by their actions, Kang De agreed that he would help whoever was being wronged, and Mailun warned him to beware of humans.

• Cleveland promised Mailun that Goth would record the sacrifices and achievements of the elves aboard the Wings of Wayne, while explaining that Goth needed to conceal Kang De’s role to protect him.
• Mailun deduced that Kang De was not a Cathayan and asked Cleveland to arrange a meeting with him.
• Tina encouraged Kang De to meet Mailun, and Kang De agreed despite fearing the elf might seek revenge.
• Mailun asked Kang De whether he would help elves if Goth had invaded them, and Kang De said he judged sides by their actions and followed his own moral code.
• Mailun thanked Kang De and advised him to beware of humans.

After deciding to sail with the Goths, Kang De prepared to leave the Holy Seal Archipelago and said goodbye to the magical animals who could not come with him. The Goths repaired the Penguin and transferred supplies from the captured Wings of Wayne, while the departure drew closer.

• Kang De told Tina he had recorded his conversation with the prisoner, then agreed to buy another ticket from the Goth Maritime Chamber of Commerce.
• Cleveland wondered whether Kang De’s phone could have photographed him dressed as a woman, but never managed to ask.
• Kang De told his animal companions he had to leave to seek answers and grow stronger, promised to return, and embraced them as Parrot called him overthinking.
• Kang De visited islands across the Holy Seal Archipelago, said goodbye to magical animals, and left them gifts and photographs.
• Tina and the Goths decided to leave the damaged Wings of Wayne in the archipelago and transfer its supplies and valuable components to the Penguin.

Kang De left the Holy Seal Archipelago aboard the Penguin with Tina, saying goodbye to the animals who had sheltered him. As the ship sailed away beneath clear skies, the animals unleashed a display of power against a magical array appearing above the islands, while one of Kang De’s luggage boxes stirred.

• Tina offered Kang De Master York’s refurbished room, and Kang De accepted it after she said she was not afraid of the dead man’s spirit.
• Kang De prepared his belongings for the voyage and searched for A Xing, but he could not find her before leaving.
• Kang De joined Tina and the Goth crew aboard the Penguin, and he waved goodbye to the gathered animals as the ship departed.
• The Penguin sailed around several islands while the animals ran along the shores and through the mountains to see Kang De off.
• Parrot cried out after the ship left, and over a hundred auras rose across the Holy Seal Archipelago as a radiant magic array appeared in the sky.
• A box among Kang De’s luggage stirred as the Penguin sailed beneath clear skies.

A Xing hid in a crate aboard Kang De’s ship and fell into a strange sleep as the vessel sailed away from the Holy Seal Archipelago. Once the ship left the anti-magic domain, Tina and Cleveland regained their powers, and Kang De waited to discover whether his own extraordinary abilities would return.

• A Xing decided to remain hidden for a few more days, then fell asleep clutching her steel rebar rod after a strange sensation swept through her.
• Kang De felt uneasy on deck and noticed that Tina and Cleveland looked different.
• Tina explained that their extraordinary powers had returned after they left the anti-magic domain, and she demonstrated her water magic.
• Cleveland briefly displayed a dazzling power that Kang De suspected belonged to a physical combat class.
• Kang De considered the danger of facing the Goths without his former advantage and recalled the escape preparations he had made.
• Tina urged Kang De to relax and feel for his own power, while she waited expectantly for him to reveal it.

Kang De discovered that he had gained an unknown new ability after leaving the Holy Seal Archipelago, then tested his strength against Cleveland and learned about Dou Qi’s origins and the taboo surrounding Eastern martial arts. He decided to train with Cleveland, while both men privately overestimated how much the other was holding back.

• Kang De sensed that he had gained a new ability but could not determine what it was, and Tina reassured him that it might become clear with time.
• Kang De tested his strength against Cleveland, who used Dou Qi to throw him despite Kang De’s considerable power.
• Cleveland explained that Dou Qi had developed from Eastern martial arts, and Tina described the continent’s history of abandoning the original practices.
• Tina said that a few people still secretly practiced Eastern martial arts, which many considered taboo.
• Kang De asked Cleveland to train him, and the two went off to wrestle while each privately believed he had been holding back.

Tina visited Kang De alone, where his experiments breaking down her Water Ball Spell left her flustered and curious about his ability. The chapter ended with Kang De asking Tina to launch another spell at him so he could practice using the ability in battle.

• Tina asked Kang De whether he had recorded him breaking down her spell, then asked for cola and snacks when he denied it.
• Tina explained that Head maid Bedela’s strict rules about food made Kang De’s cabin the only place where she could indulge herself.
• Bedela told Cleveland that she had deliberately encouraged Tina to visit Kang De by restricting her snacks and letting him appear to have authority over her.
• Tina recalled visiting Kang De to get to know him better, only for him to ask her to cast a Water Ball Spell and break it down with his hand.
• Tina warned Kang De that breaking enemy spells might be difficult in battle, but he said speed and enchanted equipment could help and asked her to launch another spell at him.

Kang De learned that he could extract Elements from magic and discussed how to develop and conceal the ability with Tina. Tina told him she hoped Goth would receive his help but would not ask him to join the war, and they agreed he should focus on growing stronger before deciding what to do.

• Kang De and Tina discussed his ability to eliminate magic, its limitations, and how he could use the Flame Chaser Round Shield against spells while keeping the ability secret.
• Tina explained that Kang De would need an alchemy master and a trustworthy magic adviser, but finding the latter would be difficult while Goth was at war.
• Kang De asked Tina directly whether she wanted him to help fight the war, and Tina admitted she hoped for his help but would not invite him to join the conflict now.
• Tina said her earlier kindness was repayment for Kang De's help and encouraged him to choose whom to support for himself.
• Kang De agreed to focus on getting stronger and said he would find Cleveland to train his reactions and test whether he could extract battle qi.

Kang De trained with Cleveland and settled into life aboard the Penguin while growing closer to Tina. The ship’s officers revealed that they would stop at the Good Family’s territory before continuing toward the imperial capital.

• Kang De failed to extract Cleveland’s Dou Qi and later resumed sparring with the knight to improve his reflexes.
• Tina attended to Kang De after his spar with Cleveland, while Cleveland followed Bedela’s advice to spend time with him and ask no questions.
• Kang De spent the following days discussing magic with Tina, training with Cleveland, and socializing with the officers and sailors.
• Tina explained that the Penguin could not head directly to the imperial capital because it needed supplies and preparations after the discovery in the Holy Seal Archipelago.
• The captain announced that the Penguin would stop in the Glittering Sand Viscounty, territory of the Good Family, a Goth trading partner with ties to the Taidariel Family.

Kang De agreed to accompany Tina to the Glittering Sand Viscounty after she explained her plan to spread news of the Veil invasion and reassured him about meeting strangers. When the Penguin reached the port, Kang De noticed that the local official reacted to his appearance with recognition rather than surprise, and wondered whether Cathayans lived in the viscounty.

• Tina explained that the Good Family had strong financial reasons to support Goth and outlined her plan to use news of the Veil rift to build public pressure for peace and imperial aid.
• Kang De said he wanted to stay aboard the ship, but Tina shared her own childhood fears of strangers and persuaded him to take a first step into the unfamiliar world.
• Two days later, the Penguin reached the Glittering Sand Viscounty, and Kang De watched the ship approach its busy port.
• The first mate arranged for the port's person in charge to meet them, and the man bowed respectfully to Kang De.
• Kang De noticed the man's gaze showed recognition rather than astonishment and suspected that Cathayans lived in the viscounty.

Kang De arrived at Glittering Sand with Tina and saw the power and formality surrounding the Good Family. Viscount Samuel welcomed them and presented Hong San, a fellow eastern man who knelt and kowtowed to Kang De, leaving him facing the crowd’s contemptuous amusement.

• The harbor was cleared as professional soldiers and knights arrived to prepare for the Good Family’s welcome.
• Kang De noticed a knight’s contemptuous stare and memorized his face.
• Tina and Kang De went ashore to greet Viscount Samuel, Hannah, Lynch, and the other members of the Good Family.
• Tina introduced Kang De as a noble-born eastern visitor who had helped her during the voyage.
• Samuel presented Hong San as a personal attendant for Kang De, and Hong San knelt and struck his head against the ground in greeting.

Kang De met Hong San, a Cathayan refugee serving the Glittering Sand Viscounty, and was disgusted by his servile behavior. As the party prepared to travel to Glittering Sand Castle, Hong San’s submission and Glen’s provocation angered Kang De, until Tina invited him into her carriage.

• Hong San knelt and kowtowed to Kang De, who told him to get up and criticized him for kneeling so readily.
• Viscount Samuel explained that Hong San had been rescued at sea and offered him as Kang De’s guide and attendant; Kang De accepted after noticing Hong San’s mistreatment.
• Samuel introduced his family, including Lynch, Lost, Hannah, and Glen, then invited the Goth party and Kang De to a welcoming banquet at Glittering Sand Castle.
• Glen brought Kang De a fierce-tempered horse, but Hong San intervened and knelt for Kang De to mount; Kang De ordered him to get up.
• The horse panicked and backed away as Kang De’s anger rose, and Tina called him to join her carriage for a discussion.

Kang De confronted Knight Glen for mocking Hong San and used a threatened duel to force him and the other knights to apologize. After standing up for Hong San, Kang De went to speak with Princess Tina, leaving Viscount Samuel wary of him.

• Kang De challenged Knight Glen to a duel after accusing him of insulting him, prompting Viscount Samuel to intervene.
• Kang De demanded that Glen apologize to Hong San, arguing that the knight had mocked Hong San's loyalty and insulted both Hong San and Kang De.
• Viscount Samuel praised Kang De's conduct, and Glen apologized to Hong San in front of the other knights.
• Kang De told Hong San to stand straight or return to serving the viscount, then accepted Samuel's apology for the poor reception.
• Kang De calmly handled Glen's ill-tempered horse, Iron Halberd, before heading to Princess Tina's carriage.
• Hong San praised Kang De for intimidating the knights, but Kang De said he had only vented his bad mood.

Kang De discussed the dockside confrontation with Princess Tina and learned why Viscount Samuel may have arranged for Hong San to serve him. He resolved to make amends to the viscount while keeping his own grudge against those who slighted him, leaving Tina worried about what he intended.

• Kang De apologized to Tina and said he would keep to himself, but Tina insisted Goth would not abandon a friend who had been treated unfairly.
• Tina explained that Samuel may have considered Hong San’s deferential behavior appropriate Cathayan etiquette, prompting Kang De to reconsider what he knew about Cathay.
• Tina described reports of Cathay’s war, the fall of territory, and refugees fleeing the brutal new regime; Kang De declined to question Hong San and agreed he might learn more from Tina’s father.
• Kang De said he should make amends to Samuel for causing him to lose face, while Tina suggested he sell the viscount an alchemical work at a friendly price.
• Tina explained that Hannah had apologized because Knight Glen was her guardian knight, and Kang De compared him unfavorably with Cleveland.
• Kang De told Tina he had not stood up for Hong San but had been dealing with him, leaving Tina horrified as she considered what that meant.

Kang De explained why he intended to change Hong San’s circumstances, despite Tina’s concern that he might be manipulating him or provoking retaliation. As the party reached the viscount’s estate, Hong San tried to help Kang De, and Kang De sensed a faint force probing him through their touch.

• Kang De told Tina that Hong San’s self-debasement and Viscount Samuel’s treatment of him had helped make the knights despise him.
• Kang De promised Tina he would not act recklessly, then said he wanted to teach Hong San to respect himself and show him a way to change his life.
• Kang De declared that if Hong San chose to remain submissive after being given that chance, he would accept the consequences of his choice.
• The procession entered Glittering Sand Town and arrived at Viscount Samuel’s estate, where Hong San hurried to help Kang De out of the carriage.
• When Hong San touched Kang De’s hand, Kang De sensed a subtle force probing him before it quickly withdrew.