Chapter Summaries

Roland inspected Lulong Fortress and discovered its system page offered many costly defensive structures but had little besides 500 soldiers. A letter from Nyx revealed that farmers near Flowing City had uncovered dragon scales, possibly above the remains of a spatial silver dragon, so Roland prepared to return.

• Roland entered Lulong Fortress with his companions and considered digging a moat, but Reno said they lacked the manpower.
• Roland saw that the system listed Lulong Fortress as a separate territory and found its extensive selection of defensive structures.
• Roland judged that his limited Wealth Points and 500 soldiers made most of the fortress defenses impractical to build or operate.
• A Crimson Lily knight delivered Nyx's letter reporting that farmers had found dragon scales in the northern fields and Sage Yun Feng suspected a spatial silver dragon's remains lay beneath them.
• Roland decided to return to Flowing City for the potentially priceless spatial dragon crystal, while Reno gathered the soldiers and Knight Order.

Roland visited Nyx in Nyx to locate the corpse of a silver dragon, but Yun Feng discovered that its remnant soul was still protecting itself. The dragon had fallen three thousand years earlier, leaving Roland wondering whether the alliance or Sauron had killed it.

• Roland stopped the Knights’ ineffective mounted archery as Reno killed a fleeing Orc with one arrow.
• Roland declined to rest in the city and traveled to Nyx to inspect the silver dragon’s corpse, noting the thriving farmland and shortage of residents.
• Yun Feng used Soul Seeking Lock to locate the hidden dragon and attacked it with soul magic after it resisted discovery.
• Yun Feng found that the dragon was dead but still had a remnant soul, then struck it with Soul Annihilation Blade.
• Yun Feng determined that the dragon had fallen three thousand years earlier, and Roland wondered whether the alliance or Sauron had killed it.

Yun Feng and the others uncovered the corpse of a Silver Dragon and discovered its Dragon Saddle, revealing that a human Dragon Marshal had fallen with his mount during the War of the Last Alliance. Dragonkind mourned the loss and vowed revenge, while Smurf broke free of her seal and prepared to question the Silver Dragon’s departed soul.

• Yun Feng pulled the hundred-meter Silver Dragon corpse from the earth, and Roland drew his Dragon-slaying Sword to resist its Dragon Might.
• Caslo recognized the broken Dragon Saddle and realized the Silver Dragon had been ridden by a human Dragon Marshal.
• Roland and Caslo mourned the fallen knight and dragon, and Wind Dragon Caldo emerged to grieve and demand vengeance.
• Smurf approached the corpse to summon the Silver Dragon’s Undead, and Sky and Peter Gro arrived and joined the dragons’ mourning.
• Sky and Caldo vowed that dragonkind would avenge the Silver Dragon, while Smurf’s seal broke and she prepared to hear the departed soul’s account.

Osbaia and his silver dragon companion, bound as knight and dragon for a century, headed toward Mordor after stopping in Dale Town to eat. Five Balrogs ambushed them and trapped the dragon with spatial confinement; after a day of fighting, Osbaia and the dragon were badly wounded and faced four surviving Balrogs.

• Osbaia and the silver dragon recalled their century of friendship and fighting, and the dragon urged Osbaia to leave humanity behind after the war.
• The silver dragon stopped in Dale Town to eat twenty sheep before Osbaia and his companion continued toward Mordor.
• Five Balrogs ambushed them and used spatial confinement to prevent the silver dragon from escaping.
• Osbaia and the dragon fought back; the dragon unleashed Void Shatter Mirror Annihilation, and Osbaia killed the wounded Balrog with the divine artifact Myriad Dragon Chants.
• After nearly a day of battle, the dragon was badly battered, and Osbaia faced four surviving Balrogs while asking whether they could still win.

Osbaia and Silver Dragon Aster were overwhelmed by Balrogs, and Aster tried to sacrifice himself to save his knight. Osbaia unleashed the Halo of Sacrifice and a devastating final strike, leaving Aster to return to Dragon Island as Osbaia died.

• Osbaia and Aster fought the Balrogs until Osbaia's Dragon Shield shattered and Aster's wing was broken protecting him.
• Aster tore out his reverse scale and urged Osbaia to escape, but Osbaia refused to abandon his comrade.
• Osbaia invoked the nine halos of the Halo of Sacrifice and used Holy Sword: Judgment to destroy a Balrog.
• Osbaia told Aster to leave Middle-earth, then attacked the remaining Balrogs with Dragon Funeral Ascension, unleashing destruction across the land.
• Osbaia collapsed and dissolved into motes of light as Aster roared in grief.

Osbaia died after stopping five Balrogs, and Silver Dragon Aster avenged him by defeating the last Balrog before teleporting underground with Myriad Dragon Chants. Roland agreed not to touch the silver dragon’s remains, accepting Myriad Dragon Chants and the Balrog Heart as compensation, while the dragons considered what to do with the corpse.

• Osbaia fell, and Aster grieved as the Dragon Rider Contract between them vanished.
• Aster fought the surviving Balrog in a brutal close-combat battle and killed it, avenging Osbaia.
• Aster recovered his dragon blood and the Balrog Heart, then teleported underground with Myriad Dragon Chants.
• Caldo, the Star Dragon, and Smurf shielded the silver dragon’s remains from Roland, while Smurf cursed the Balrogs.
• The Star Dragon gave Roland Myriad Dragon Chants and the Balrog Heart in exchange for his promise not to touch the corpse.
• Roland asked what the dragons planned to do with the silver dragon’s remains.

After the dragons sealed Silver Dragon Aster’s remains in the void, Roland honored the fallen Dragon Marshal Osbaia and vowed to defend Lagrange. He turned the group toward the Balrog in Moria, arranged for Yun Feng to forge Caslo a Dragon Lance from the Balrog Hearts, and prepared to return home.

• Star Dragon Sky used the other dragons’ power to open a rift and seal Silver Dragon Aster’s body in the void.
• Roland reflected on Osbaia’s death, and he and Reno spoke of knightly sacrifice and their duty to protect humanity and Lagrange.
• Roland comforted Caslo by promising a chance to fight the Balrog in Moria, and Caslo eagerly agreed.
• Roland gave Yun Feng five Balrog Hearts and ordered him to forge Caslo a Dragon Lance, which Yun Feng said would take time.
• Peter Gro said goodbye to Roland and departed by dragon, and Roland told everyone to pack up and go home.

After learning that a massive refugee influx might reach Flowing City, Roland reviewed his supplies and ordered preparations to protect the city and its people. The chapter left Reno and Caslo preparing to scout the surrounding area, with Roland warning that soldiers might be among the refugees.

• Roland comforted Nyx about the fallen nobles of Lagrange and said the nation could be rebuilt, then told her he expected to go to Moria around April or May.
• After checking in, Roland triggered the Refugee Influx event and recalled that refugees could bring new citizens and talents but might also become violent.
• Roland left Nyx to handle administrative work and asked Reno to calculate how many people Flowing City's supplies could support.
• Nyx reported that existing supplies could feed ten thousand people until the autumn harvest, while the system showed a population of 3,310 and room for only about four thousand more.
• Roland ordered Reno to send out the cavalry and put the area within a hundred li on alert, then warned him that soldiers might be mixed into the refugee tide.

Roland and his advisors prepared for a refugee tide that could overwhelm Flowing City and endanger Long Fortress, debating how to protect the realm without abandoning the refugees. A scout then spotted the approaching crowd, including worn-down Swift River Infantry, and raised the alarm as the refugees charged toward the city.

• Roland ordered Long Fortress to keep its gates closed and sent forces to scout for professional soldiers among the refugees.
• Omsk argued for defending the kingdom by force, while Yun Feng condemned him and urged Flowing City to help the refugees; Roland halted their confrontation.
• The advisors discussed food shortages, fishing, grain, and possibly asking the elves for aid before deciding to wait for a clearer count of the refugees.
• A Bannaria Archer spotted a vast crowd approaching from the northeast and recognized Swift River Infantry armor among them.
• The Bannaria Archer fired a Magic Signal Flare and retreated toward Flowing City as the refugee crowd rushed forward.

Roland prepared Flowing City for the arrival of thousands of refugees, including former Imperial soldiers, while ordering residents outside the city brought to safety. The refugees reached the walls armed and without their old flag, leaving Roland and his defenders uncertain whether they were still allies.

• Roland ordered the centaurs warned and directed the city to prepare its defenses as refugees approached from the northeast.
• Reno reported that residents were still outside the city and that at least five thousand starving refugees, including Swift River Infantry, were advancing.
• A group of Knights reached the city gates ahead of the refugees, and Roland's forces shut the gates after letting them in.
• Roland warned the defenders to stay alert as the refugee tide appeared on the horizon.
• Caslo spotted Swift River Infantry at the front of the crowd, and Reno wondered whether they were still the people they had once known.

Roland faced thousands of starving refugees at Flowing City and urged them to return to Lagrange, but a surviving heir of the Junlin Lion Family rejected his appeal. Roland revealed that the Lagrange imperial family had died out and that only two people with royal blood remained, leaving the refugees’ response unresolved.

• Valfay estimated that six to seven thousand refugees were approaching Flowing City, while Roland ordered Nyx to return to the castle and called for help rather than a fight.
• Omsk used an explosive arrow and his warrior’s presence to halt the refugees before the walls.
• A refugee spokesman told Yun Feng that the Empire was gone and that the people only wanted to live; he asked Roland for supplies so they could continue to Gondor.
• Roland called on the refugees to return to Lagrange, then challenged the golden-haired spokesman to honor the noble crest on his armor.
• Caslo and Omsk recognized the Wandering Lion crest, and the young man revealed that he was the last survivor of the Junlin Lion Family’s ducal line.
• Roland declared that the imperial family and its last Royal Knight Order had perished, leaving only two people alive with royal blood.

Roland persuaded the young head of the Junlin Family to bring his people back into the Kingdom of Lagrange, promising them equal treatment and shelter. As the refugees entered the city, the young man vowed to reclaim Junlin’s lost glory.

• Roland urged the Junlin descendant to return to Lagrange, while Omsk and Yun Feng explained that the Junlin Knights lacked the high-tier techniques and artifacts needed to restore their former strength.
• The young man accepted Roland’s offer to shelter his more than six thousand followers, asking for the rights of Kingdom citizens and food for the elderly and children.
• Roland opened the city gate and promised equal treatment for all Lagrangeans as the refugees began entering under Royal Guard protection.
• Roland welcomed the young man as the Lion of the Junlin Family and said he hoped he would someday reclaim the family’s title and glory.
• The young man vowed to use his sword to win land for his people and declared that Junlin had never vanished.

Roland welcomed Apophis Breo, a descendant of the Junlin Family, and learned how little remained of his forces. Apophis’s account of the Northern Border Great Wall made Roland suspect that the Lagrange Empire had truly existed in a parallel world, and he ended the day alone with that unsettling possibility.

• Roland met Apophis Breo and learned that his forces included only sixteen Junlin Knights, a few hundred Bannaria Archers, some Warriors, and commoners, with no cavalry beyond the Knights’ warhorses.
• Roland apologized that he could not grant Apophis a fief, and Apophis resolved to reclaim the Duke of the Junlin Lion title through his own abilities.
• Apophis described the fallen Northern Border Great Wall, prompting Roland to question whether the Lagrange Empire had existed before the First Age.
• The system told Roland to explore the truth for himself, and Roland considered whether the world was a parallel plane and whether he could ever return home.
• Roland ordered the newcomers to rest and their population to be counted by morning, then walked into the city under the setting sun.

Roland reviewed Flowing City's territory status and discovered its population had passed ten thousand, unlocking a morale and stamina boost for Lagrange soldiers defending the city. After Nyx finished approving supply orders, Roland agreed to take her riding to visit the Tupte Tribe.

• Roland checked the Territory Interface and saw Flowing City's population had reached 10,027, unlocking a new defensive city trait.
• Roland worried that the city needed production improvements and fretted over feeding its growing population, while Nyx comforted him.
• Nyx reviewed and signed two supply-allocation documents, completing the day's administrative work.
• Nyx asked Roland to accompany her on a ride, and Roland suggested they visit the Tupte Tribe to strengthen their ties.
• Nyx happily agreed to go to Tupte Forest, eager to try the centaurs' food.

Roland and Nyx traveled to Tupte Territory, where Roland met the Centaurs and saw how their small tribe struggled to support itself. The chapter left Roland accepting the Centaurs’ hospitality while their lord, Badel, was away hunting.

• Roland and Nyx rode toward Tupte Forest, but Roland’s horse strayed from the path and he shielded Nyx until a knight led them back.
• Roland and Nyx arrived in Tupte Territory, where Badel welcomed them on behalf of the Centaurs.
• Badel left with a hunting party, while Roland’s knights admired the Centaurs’ strength and fighting abilities.
• A Centaur guided Roland and Nyx through the forest to a settlement protected by a log wall, where Roland saw that fewer than ten warriors remained.
• Niya apologized that Badel was still hunting and offered to prepare lunch, and Roland asked her to keep it simple.

Roland and Nyx shared a meal with Niya and learned about the Centaur Tribe’s scarce seasoning and desire for a safe home. After declining Niya’s offer of fifty Centaur Knights, Roland followed Nyx to a nearby stream to fish and play.

• Niya served Roland and Nyx Centaur specialties, and they praised the honey-glazed ribs and Leaf Dew.
• Niya explained that the Centaur Tribe struggled to cultivate Allspice Herb while migrating and offered fifty Centaur Knights in return for the kingdom’s protection.
• Roland promised the tribe safety if they settled and followed the kingdom’s laws, but refused to accept its offer of troops.
• After the meal, Nyx persuaded Roland to go fishing at a nearby stream, and the soldiers searched the area for dangers.
• Nyx splashed Roland with a huge ball of water, but his holy Battle Qi Flame kept it from touching him.

Roland and Nyx went fishing before Badel showed them the centaurs’ enormous Earth Mad Boar kill and paid the kingdom’s taxes in Magic Crystals. Roland accepted the tribute, praised the centaurs’ weapons, and charged them with scouting the kingdom’s eastern border before joining them for a feast.

• Nyx overwhelmed Roland with magic-enhanced water balls after he dodged her attacks during their water fight.
• Roland saw Nyx catch fish using several kinds of magic and carried the fresh catch back.
• Badel showed Roland and Nyx the enormous Earth Mad Boar that the centaurs had hunted down with arrows.
• Badel gave Roland a bag of Magic Crystals as the centaurs’ tax payment, and Roland accepted it.
• Badel thanked Roland for arming the centaurs and pledged their loyalty, so Roland ordered them to scout the eastern border for invaders.
• Roland invited the centaurs to feast and drink ale from Flowing City.

Roland shared cloudy ale with Badel and prepared a barbecue for Nyx, Niya, and the centaurs. After grilling fish with spices, he turned to the Earth Mad Boar to choose meat for the rest of the feast.

• Badel and Roland toasted their prosperity, and Nyx made ice for Roland's ale.
• Roland agreed to grill fish for Nyx while Badel arranged for a grill to be brought over.
• Roland lit the charcoal with Sacred Flame, joked with Nyx and Badel, and seasoned the fish with cumin and chili powder.
• Roland served the grilled fish and chose the Earth Mad Boar's front leg for more barbecue.

After a meal with Nyx, Roland received the legendary Centaur’s Grip and gave it to Baron Badel. Badel swore loyalty to Roland, who prepared to leave the centaur settlement and return home.

• Roland grilled Earth Mad Boar meat for the group, then walked with Nyx and stayed the night.
• Roland checked in with the system and received Centaur’s Grip, a legendary bow with powerful defensive and recovery abilities for centaurs.
• Roland examined the bow and decided it would suit Badel as defensive gear despite its unusual melee attack skill.
• Roland gave Centaur’s Grip to Baron Badel, who swore loyalty to him after bonding with the weapon.
• Roland told Badel he would leave the settlement that day and return home.

Roland and Nyx were ambushed by Orcs on their way home, while Roland’s Knights struggled to hit their attackers and wasted arrows. Caslo arrived with Caldo and destroyed the Orcs’ hiding place, then waited with Roland for Omsk and the main force.

• Roland and Nyx said farewell to the centaurs and set off home with the Knights.
• An Orc arrow struck Roland’s divine shield, and the Knights formed a protective wall around him and Nyx.
• The Knights traded arrows with the Orcs but mostly missed, prompting Roland to order them to wait for reinforcements.
• Caslo arrived with Caldo, who used Breath of Wind Whisper to shred and level the thicket where the Orcs were hiding.
• Roland congratulated Caslo on reaching the fifth tier, and Caslo said Omsk and the main force were on their way.