Chapter Summaries

Xiao Ran explained to Char why his team could capture members of the Zabi family, demonstrating his extraordinary speed and describing the abilities of his subordinates. Char accepted that the team could carry out the operation, but Xiao Ran stressed that he still wanted Char to relocate the Flanagan Institute and secure Zeon’s factories before they left to retrieve their custom units from Jupiter.

• Saki Maski brought food to Xiao Ran while he and Char argued over Xiao Ran’s plan to capture members of the Zabi family.
• Xiao Ran assured Char that he and his small team could overcome ordinary guards, but Char doubted they could escape afterward.
• Xiao Ran vanished from Char’s sight and appeared behind him, demonstrating his superhuman speed and explaining that several team members possessed special abilities.
• Char accepted that Xiao Ran’s team could break through the Zabi family’s defenses, though he continued to ask how they would escape.
• Xiao Ran told Char that they would leave to retrieve custom units and warships from Jupiter, but the trip’s duration was uncertain, so he still wanted Zeon’s threats contained before they departed.

Xiao Ran and Char planned how to divide their forces between an operation against the Zabi family and the transfer of the Flanagan Institute to the Moon. They settled on a smaller deployment using Zeon machines, with Xiao Ran joining the transfer mission in a GN-X while Zechs continued the Federation assignments.

• Xiao Ran and Char debated how many Legion members to bring into Zeon, weighing the newcomers’ potential against the risks of exposing a large force.
• Char warned that M1 Astrays could not be used in Zeon territory and recommended relying on Elite and Ace Pilots with Zeon machines.
• Char revealed that he had thirteen Doms, Goufs, and over ten Gelgoogs available, but Xiao Ran declined the Gelgoogs and requested Doms or Goufs for about ten of his people.
• Xiao Ran assigned El-Elf to lead the operation against the Zabi family, with Naluo and two GN-X units providing support, while he would join the Flanagan Institute transfer mission in a GN-X.
• Xiao Ran assigned Zechs to lead the remaining pilots in their Federation missions, then left with Saki Maski to gather the Legion members at Anaheim Company.

Xiao Ran briefed the team on the mission to relocate the Flanagan Institute, kill two Zabi family members, and destroy Zeon’s Newtype machine factory. He assigned El-Elf’s group to infiltrate the Zabi residence while Zechs stayed behind, and the team prepared to depart in thirteen hours.

• Xiao Ran told the group that Zeon was mass-producing Newtype machines and that the mission required relocating the Flanagan Institute, killing two Zabi family members, and destroying the factory.
• El-Elf outlined the need to locate the targets, divide forces, and plan for Zeon’s counterattack and the transport ships’ escape.
• Xiao Ran assigned El-Elf, Ozma, Naluo, and Saki Maski to lead Skull Squadron and Glan Glan in infiltrating the Zabi residence and capturing its members.
• El-Elf suggested using the captured Zabi family members to help breach Zeon’s main Command Center, and Xiao Ran left the decision to him based on circumstances.
• Xiao Ran assigned Zechs to lead the remaining participants in continuing Federal Army tasks and gave El-Elf protective shields for the operation.
• The group set departure for thirteen hours later, and Naluo and Saki Maski suspected El-Elf would prepare a large quantity of explosives.

Xiao Ran organized a dangerous operation to evacuate the Flanagan Institute, selecting ten newcomers and preparing their machines alongside Char’s forces. As the fleet departed for Zeon, El-Elf’s team carried a vast hidden stockpile of explosives for a plan Xiao Ran did not know about.

• El-Elf left with his team after arranging for participants to carry weapons and supplies in their Storage Slots.
• Xiao Ran invited the newcomers to volunteer, selected the ten with the highest overall evaluations, and sent them to Granada base while Zechs led the others on Federation missions.
• Char estimated that the Flanagan Institute evacuation would allow only three hours before the force had to break through Zeon’s encirclement, prioritizing technical data and personnel.
• The selected newcomers chose Doms and configured them with weapons, while Anaheim Company sent three GN-X units and Char’s forces completed preparations at Granada base.
• El-Elf filled the participants’ Storage Slots with explosives and weapons, intending to use the satellite housing the Zabi Family Residence and its inhabitants as leverage against Zeon.
• Xiao Ran boarded Char’s flagship, and the prepared fleet departed Granada base for Zeon as Cardias worked to retain control of the Astray Fleet.

Char’s fleet joined Commander Constance’s forces and prepared to infiltrate SIDE3, while El-Elf’s team entered the satellite where the Zabi family lived. El-Elf began gathering intelligence and securing the administrative center to enable the operation against the Zabi family and the satellite.

• Char led his fleet through Zeon’s defenses using secret patrol information and joined Commander Constance’s fleet near SIDE3.
• Char and Constance confirmed their plans to overthrow the Zabi family, infiltrate the satellite, and seize the Flanagan Institute.
• Constance sent a shuttle carrying El-Elf’s team toward the Zabi family’s satellite, while the joined fleets prepared for their operation.
• The crew prepared Xiao Ran’s upgraded GN-X and installed GN Dragoons while Char rested before the coming battle.
• El-Elf and his team entered the satellite disguised as Zeon recruits using forged and genuine orders.
• El-Elf targeted the administrative center to obtain intelligence, move sentries, bring in two GN-X units, and secure the satellite.

El-Elf and his team infiltrated Zeon's capital satellite and learned about the rival Capital Defense Force and Zabi-loyal Guard Force. With less than five hours before Xiao Ran and Char's operation began, El-Elf split the team and made contact with Commander Constance's local allies.

• El-Elf questioned Constance's trusted men and learned that their contacts in the Capital Defense Force had helped them enter the satellite, while the Guard Force had increased its presence amid defections to New Zeon.
• El-Elf divided the eleven-person team, leading Saki Maski, Nalo, Glan Glan, and Alto toward the Command Center while Ozma led the others to investigate the Defense Building and Zabi Family Residence.
• El-Elf rejected the suggestion to wait for more Rebel Army members, explaining that the team had less than five hours to seize the Command Center and locate key Zabi family members.
• El-Elf accepted the trusted men's offer to contact the local Rebel Army and listened as one of them exchanged a coded message over a roadside telephone.
• The contact promised to send someone to receive the team after learning their location.

El-Elf and his team met Lance Garfield, a one-armed Capital Defense Force officer, and uncovered the Resistance Organization’s role in opposing the Zabi family. El-Elf revealed that the Astray MS Battalion was not part of the Earth Federation and sought to capture the Zabi family members in the satellite, leaving Lance wary but with a clearer picture of their shared goals.

• El-Elf’s team waited near the meeting point and identified the arriving Capital Defense Force vehicle as their transport.
• Lance Garfield met El-Elf and the others, confirmed the password, and drove them toward an unknown destination.
• Ozma told Lance that El-Elf commanded the operation, while Lance offered clothing and weapons and cautioned them not to compromise his organization’s mission.
• El-Elf deduced that Lance served the Resistance Organization, linked it to the serial bombings, and identified Capital Defense Force commander Henry Slizer as its likely leader.
• El-Elf said the team intended to capture every Zabi family member in the satellite and asked Lance’s organization to suppress loyalist forces afterward.
• El-Elf revealed that the Astray MS Battalion had never belonged to the Earth Federation, had fought to weaken the Zabi family, and was helping return Zeon prisoners to New Zeon.

El-Elf revealed the Astray MS Battalion’s ties to Char and recruited the Capital Defense Force to help seize Zeon’s capital. Brigadier General Henry Slazer agreed to support the operation, and El-Elf divided the forces to attack the Defense Building and the Zabi family within an hour.

• El-Elf told Lance Garfield that the Astray MS Battalion and Char served a separate organization seeking peace through negotiations, and that his squad was operating as New Zeon’s Special Operations unit.
• Lance Garfield agreed to cooperate with El-Elf against the Zabi family, and El-Elf said his forces would strike the Zabi Family Residence and Defense Building while the Capital Defense Force secured the satellite.
• Lance brought El-Elf’s group to Brigadier General Henry Slazer, who agreed to support their mission and provide mobile suits.
• Henry decided to accelerate the Capital Defense Force’s plan to act against Gihren Zabi and asked to send personnel to support El-Elf’s attacks.
• El-Elf assigned Ozma and Alto to borrow mobile suits, then ordered Brera, Luca, and Michel to take the Defense Building while he and Glan Glan led the attack on the Zabi family.

El-Elf and Henry Slizer launched a coup against the Zabi family, with the Capital Defense Force striking Guard Force bases as El-Elf led an assault on the Zabi Family Residence. The operation began, and Brera prepared to attack the Zeon Defense Building.

• El-Elf prepared to capture the Zabi family by planting explosives around their residence, while Henry Slizer ordered his confidants to begin the coup.
• The Capital Defense Force surrounded Guard Force garrisons, seized key positions, and positioned units to take Gihren Zabi's flagship and threaten Guard Force warships.
• El-Elf detonated the explosives, collapsing underground passages around the Zabi Family Residence, then charged toward it with Glan Glan.
• Henry Slizer declared the revolution underway as the Capital Defense Force sealed the Guard Force inside its garrisons and attacked.
• Brera told Michel to begin the operation beneath the Defense Building.

The Capital Defense Force’s coup succeeded through coordinated attacks on Zeon’s garrisons, the Zabi Family Residence, the Defense Building, and the Guard Force fleet. When Char and Xiao Ran received conflicting orders announcing the coup and directing a fleet blockade, Char realized the Flanagan Institute was in danger and rushed to intervene.

• The Capital Defense Force isolated and subdued the Guard Force garrisons while El-Elf and Glan Glan stormed the Zabi Family Residence, Brera and Michel attacked the Defense Building, and Luca took control of its systems.
• Lance Garfield’s MS Unit disabled the Guard Force warships, and Henry Slazer ordered medical aid, reinforcements, and the detention of senior officials.
• Henry Slazer received reports that the operation was succeeding and authorized the guests to confront three MS approaching the Zabi Family Residence.
• Henry Slazer and his officers announced that the coup had succeeded and that the Zabi family and privileged classes on the capital satellite had been captured.
• Char and Xiao Ran received the coup announcement alongside an order from outside the satellite to wait for Kycilia Zabi and Deguzuru Zabi, prompting Char to order the fleet to the Flanagan Institute.
• Xiao Ran left the bridge ahead of the fleet, saying he would reach the Flanagan Institute first.

Xiao Ran rushed ahead of Char’s fleet to prevent the Flanagan Institute’s satellite from sealing its spaceport, then confronted its Zabi-loyal defenders alone. He destroyed the first MS formation in seconds and unleashed a massive beam attack as the enemy forces closed in.

• Char and Xiao Ran realized that the Flanagan Institute might lock down its satellite and spaceport, making a peaceful entry difficult.
• Xiao Ran piloted an Anaheim-modified GN-X ahead of Char’s fleet and approached the satellite defended by two Zeon fleets and more than a hundred MS.
• Xiao Ran ordered the defenders to surrender, then used GN Dragoons to disable nine MS in less than seven seconds when they attacked.
• The Zeon commanders ordered their MS to swarm Xiao Ran, who used BITs and evasive maneuvers to withstand their first barrage.
• Xiao Ran assembled his GN Dragoons into a ring-mounted cannon and fired a huge beam across the battlefield.

Xiao Ran's GN-X devastated the Zeon forces confronting New Zeon, prompting their commanders to consider surrender before Degwin Zabi intervened. Degwin stripped Gihren of command and ordered Zeon to accept Casval Rem Deikun and New Zeon's takeover, leaving Zeon's leadership transition underway.

• Xiao Ran fired a sweeping GN beam that destroyed or disabled most of the attacking Zeon mobile suits, then issued another demand for surrender.
• The Zeon commanders pulled back their fleets as New Zeon reinforcements arrived, and two commanders discussed ending the conflict and preserving Zeon's strength.
• One fleet commander began ordering personnel who wished to leave to disembark, but a broadcast from military headquarters interrupted him.
• Degwin Zabi appeared on the ships' screens, stripped Gihren Zabi of his position, and ordered Zeon forces to stop resisting and accept New Zeon's takeover under Casval Rem Deikun.
• Degwin acknowledged his responsibility for Zeon's decline, while El-Elf watched from beside the camera.

Degwin publicly accepted responsibility for Zeon’s crimes and ordered the military to stand down, allowing Char’s New Zeon to take control and begin freeing coerced soldiers. Char entered the capital satellite and discovered that Brera had killed more than a hundred people during the assault.

• Degwin blamed himself and Gihren for Daiken’s death and Zeon’s path to war, then ordered Zeon’s forces to accept a ceasefire.
• Zeon’s fleets and units began surrendering, and Char led a fleet toward the capital satellite while Xiao Ran’s forces entered the Flanagan Institute satellite.
• Char ordered the release of detained foreign soldiers’ families, the dismissal of foreign soldiers and child soldiers, and voluntary departure from the military.
• Degwin thanked El-Elf and agreed to hand over Gihren and members of his branch in exchange for El-Elf bringing Karma back to Zeon.
• Char entered the military headquarters and saw more than a hundred bodies; Brera admitted that he had killed them to ensure the assault succeeded.

Char consolidated control of Zeon after the Zabi family’s defeat, while Kycilia escaped and Deguzuru surrendered. Xiao Ran returned to the Moon with Char’s peace terms, then told General Revil that the Astray Fleet would refuse to fight if the Federation continued the war.

• Char took charge of Zeon’s reorganization, secured the Flanagan Institute, and received support from fleets and personnel across Zeon.
• Deguzuru chose to surrender and remain behind, while Kycilia escaped with half his fleet and the Guard Force; Char did not pursue her.
• Char placed the Zabi family, except Gihren, under house arrest and sent a peace request to the Earth Federation.
• Xiao Ran carried Char’s confidential peace letter to General Revil, including a proposed exchange of Gihren for Karma.
• Xiao Ran admitted that he had helped Karbas’s coup and warned Revil that the Astray Fleet would refuse to participate in any further battles.

Xiao Ran and his team completed their mission after Char arranged Deguzuru’s death, ending the immediate conflict and allowing them to return to Prometheus. Xiao Ran received an Ultimate Mission Card requiring him to defeat an unknown World Intruder, leaving him uneasy about the next stage.

• As peace talks began between the Federation and Zeon, Xiao Ran’s team debated how to kill another Zabi family member, while rejecting an attack on Axis and hesitating to target Gihren’s harmless wife.
• Karma escaped after Char allowed rebels to rescue him, and El-Elf realized Deguzuru had bargained for Karma’s freedom and his family’s survival.
• Char agreed to Deguzuru’s final request, and a gunshot killed Deguzuru as Prometheus announced that the mission was complete.
• Prometheus awarded the team mission rewards and gave Xiao Ran an Ultimate Mission Card requiring him to transform the world, overthrow the Federation, and defeat a World Intruder.
• Xiao Ran chose to return to Prometheus, where he reunited with the others and received his final mission evaluation and rewards.

Xiao Ran reunited with his legion after their mission and organized its newcomers and supplies. He established a point-based exchange system for the Legion Warehouse, leaving the new members with their first sense of belonging to Burning.

• Xiao Ran welcomed Sheryl and the others back to Prometheus and learned that Cruze's group had completed a challenging mission through teamwork.
• Xiao Ran led the group to Legion Headquarters, where he collected the newcomers and placed unwanted equipment and mission rewards in the Legion Warehouse.
• Xiao Ran set up a system for members to earn and spend points or Merit Points on warehouse items, including discounted GN-X units restricted to C-class Pilots.
• Xiao Ran welcomed the newcomers to Burning and used Merit Points to obtain supplies and turn legion blueprints into physical items, giving the newcomers a first sense of belonging.

Xiao Ran organized Burning Legion’s newcomers, assigned new mecha and personnel, and discussed the Legion’s enhancement facility. Cruze then recounted the latest mission, allowing Xiao Ran to identify its world as ALDNOAH.ZERO and learn that it involved fifty teams.

• Xiao Ran introduced Burning Legion’s members, territory, benefits, ranks, and Perfect Enhanced Human Research Institute, then gave the newcomers Prometheus guides and told them to study before spending their Merit Points.
• The newcomers left with Naluo, Basak, and El-Elf guiding their respective groups, while Cruze considered the enhancement facility and Xiao Ran decided to let members choose whether to use it after construction finished.
• Xiao Ran arranged new dual-Solar-Furnace VF-27 units for Skull Squadron, assigned Glan Glan an Aegis Gundam, planned Haros for Legion members, and gave Captain Jeffrey a second Galaxy Diva-class ship.
• After the others left to tour Prometheus, Cruze described the mission’s partially erased details and explained that battleships had initially been unavailable and many teams had entered the same area.
• Xiao Ran recognized Cruze’s mission world as ALDNOAH.ZERO and learned that the mission included fifty teams and an unknown total number of participants.

Cruze recounted how his team joined the Mars Faction, survived the chaotic wars among Mars, Earth, and the participants, and helped secure victory. Xiao Ran reconstructed the mission’s events and reviewed the unusual units and equipment Cruze’s team brought back to the Legion Warehouse.

• Cruze explained that his team had been forced to join Mars and fought Earth while competing with other participant groups and Martian factions.
• Cruze described how he secretly allied with Earth and helped a Mars Royal Family member become emperor after the final battle.
• Xiao Ran inferred that the Landing Cities’ descent and the Mars Earls’ rivalries had turned the mission into a sprawling conflict among factions and participants.
• Xiao Ran concluded that Cruze’s allies, the Earth faction, several participant teams, and some Mars Earls had won, while other participants either returned early or were wiped out.
• Xiao Ran examined the returned Molecularization Device, Demolition Beam Emitter, Ordicia, Dioscuri, and other equipment stored in his warehouse.

Xiao Ran's group assessed the recovered Mars Armor technology and learned that its ancient energy systems could not be combined with their existing mecha. After Luo finished the fleet's preparations, he confirmed that the repaired Dimensional Barrier unit and two reward components could still be put to use.

• Xiao Ran's group concluded that the Mars Armor weapons depended on ALDNOAH energy and were impractical to install on their mecha.
• While Luo worked with old Luo's technicians, he finished the mecha for Skull Squadron, modified Frontier, and tested the recovered Mars Armor units.
• A week later, Luo reported that the mecha were complete and explained that the Energy Source Engines had limited output and emitted magnetic fields that interfered with other systems.
• Luo said the Energy Source Engines could not currently be recharged or safely combined with existing mecha technology, though the repaired Dimensional Barrier unit could defend the Galaxy Diva.
• Xiao Ran decided the Molecularization Device suited Basak and the Beam Demolition Device suited Zechs, while he and Graham preferred ordinary Beam Sabers.

Xiao Ran tested the Perfect Enhanced Human Research Institute, learned that it could enhance attributes and function as an Enhancement Room, and paid for his team to use it. With preparations complete and new units manufactured, he gathered his forces to return to the world of 0079, leaving newcomers behind because of the mysterious World Intruder.

• Cruze tested the institute and discovered that it could raise Reaction and Mental Power for those below thirty while also providing enhancement skills and an independent Enhancement Room.
• Xiao Ran reviewed Cruze’s new skills and concluded that the institute was a worthwhile gamble for some teammates but useless to him.
• Xiao Ran paid for the team’s enhancements, and Nalu, Saki Maski, Ozma, Luca, and Mina gained Spatial Recognition Ability.
• Xiao Ran gave Ozma, Captain Jeffrey, and the Bridge Trio Merit Points for their own enhancement choices, then tracked his remaining funds after team upgrades and purchases for the 25th Fleet.
• After Luo finished manufacturing the units, Xiao Ran gave everyone a final day to prepare and gathered his team to return to 0079 without the newcomers, wary of the World Intruder.