Chapter Summaries

Xiao Ran and his companions arrived aboard Danaan's Son, where Tessa and Mithril's commanders formally welcomed them. Xiao Ran agreed to be escorted to the guest quarters and offered Mithril permission to inspect his captured AS, surprising the officers.

• Xiao Ran recognized Tessa, First Officer Richard Mardukas, and combat commander Andrew Sagovich Garinin when they met him in Danaan's Son's hangar.
• Tessa, Richard, and Andrew introduced themselves, and Xiao Ran and El-Elf identified themselves as freelance mercenaries while El-Elf kept the captured researcher’s name secret.
• Tessa welcomed Chidori and offered to escort Xiao Ran and El-Elf to their prepared quarters for a discussion.
• Andrew agreed to take custody of El-Elf's prisoner, and Xiao Ran asked Mithril to inspect and service his captured AS's cooling system.
• Tessa, Richard, and Andrew were surprised when Xiao Ran volunteered permission to examine the unknown AS.

Xiao Ran and El-Elf met Colonel Tessa aboard Danaan and offered to deepen their cooperation with Mithril, including sharing Luo’s technical expertise. Xiao Ran explained that they were protecting Chidori Kaname and revealed that Tessa was also a Whispered.

• Colonel Tessa brought Xiao Ran and El-Elf aboard Danaan, where technicians began examining the captured Hell Monarch.
• Xiao Ran agreed to remain with Mithril and proposed closer cooperation that would combine its industrial capabilities with Luo’s expertise in mobile weapons and warships.
• Xiao Ran privately regarded Mithril as an ally against Amalgam and intended to strengthen it while keeping his own group independent.
• Colonel Tessa questioned why Xiao Ran and El-Elf were protecting Chidori Kaname, and Xiao Ran said they wanted to keep her safe from those with ulterior motives.
• Xiao Ran told Tessa that she was also within their protection, revealing that he knew she was a Whispered.

Xiao Ran and El-Elf discussed their protection of the Whispered with Tessa and Richard, while Mithril learned that Xiao Ran had captured a λ-DRIVER-equipped AS using a Barbarian. The revelation prompted Tessa to order a full investigation and analysis of the machine, and the chapter ended with Sousuke Sagara escorting Xiao Ran and El-Elf around the Western Pacific Squadron’s base.

• Tessa asked how Xiao Ran knew she was a Whispered, and he credited his team’s intelligence-gathering and identification methods.
• Tessa and Richard agreed to remain wary of Xiao Ran and El-Elf and ordered a deeper investigation into their past and possible backers.
• Andrew reported that Alex had captured a λ-DRIVER-equipped AS while piloting a Barbarian, shocking Tessa and Richard.
• Tessa ordered the team to return to base, analyze the captured AS with an expert, and call Luo in for further discussions.
• Sousuke Sagara arrived at the lounge and told Xiao Ran and El-Elf that he would escort them around the base.

Xiao Ran and El-Elf toured Mithril’s base before meeting its senior officers to discuss cooperation. Xiao Ran explained why he had chosen Mithril and revealed how much he knew about Amalgam Organization, leaving Jerome Boda and Mal Amit shocked.

• Sousuke Sagara guided Xiao Ran and El-Elf around the base, explaining its facilities.
• Luo complained that Mithril’s technicians and AS technology were far below his standards.
• Xiao Ran met Jerome Boda, Mal Amit, and Doctor Peroz, then listened as Jerome proposed discussing cooperation.
• Xiao Ran said he had chosen Mithril for its technical capabilities and shared goal of protecting Whispered, while warning that Amalgam Organization could have been another option.
• Xiao Ran identified Amalgam Organization as the force behind the attack on Chidori and linked it to the Hell Monarch, shocking Jerome and Mal.

Xiao Ran secured a partnership with Mithril by revealing his knowledge of Amalgam and agreeing to provide technology in exchange for support. He offered to train Sousuke Sagara in using the λ-DRIVER and revealed that Gauron, the Hell Monarch's pilot, was Amalgam's Iron.

• Xiao Ran told Mal Amit that he knew about Amalgam and argued that they were not on opposing sides, while Mal agreed to investigate him further.
• Xiao Ran and Jerome Boda agreed to cooperate as equals, with Xiao Ran providing technology and Mithril supplying other assistance and support.
• Xiao Ran offered to train Sousuke Sagara as a proficient λ-DRIVER user and asked Mithril to modify his captured machine with Luo leading the work.
• Xiao Ran revealed that Gauron piloted the Hell Monarch and was Amalgam's operative codenamed Iron.

Xiao Ran secured Mithril’s cooperation and assigned Luo to develop new units and technologies, while El-Elf arranged a base-defense infiltration drill. Xiao Ran began live-fire training against Sousuke Sagara, Melissa Mao, and Cruz, leaving the match poised to start.

• Xiao Ran explained that Jiulong had escaped, then finalized cooperation with Mithril and agreed to assist with difficult missions.
• Xiao Ran ordered Luo to rebuild the Hell Monarch, develop Mithril’s forces and Variable Fighters, and study λ-DRIVER technology within two months; he promised to provide Little Eight to help.
• Sousuke Sagara reported to Xiao Ran for training, and Xiao Ran ordered a live-fire exercise using the Arbalest and M9 units.
• El-Elf proposed a base-infiltration drill to expose Mithril’s security weaknesses, and Jerome Boda approved the exercise with up to five participants.
• Xiao Ran faced Sousuke Sagara, Melissa Mao, and Cruz in live-fire training, and the countdown began after Melissa challenged him to a three-on-one match.

Xiao Ran defeated Melissa Mao in an instant during the live-ammunition training exercise, then countered Cruz’s sniper fire and charged into the forest after him. With Melissa’s AS disabled and Cruz still at large, Xiao Ran declared that two opponents remained.

• Cruz and Sousuke Sagara withdrew into the forest while Melissa Mao stayed to face Xiao Ran.
• At the end of the countdown, Xiao Ran disarmed Melissa Mao with a burst of speed and aimed his machine gun at her cockpit.
• Xiao Ran shot Melissa’s AS in the head and kicked it away as he intercepted Cruz’s bullet with a precise shot.
• Xiao Ran fired three more rounds to disable Melissa’s AS, then dodged Cruz’s renewed sniper attack.
• Xiao Ran charged into the forest after Cruz and announced that two opponents remained.

Xiao Ran pressured Sousuke Sagara in a training fight to awaken Arbalest’s λ-DRIVER, explaining how it turned conviction into physical power. Sousuke activated the system and blocked Xiao Ran’s attack, but Xiao Ran then defeated Arbalest and ended the test by ordering him to prepare to run naked.

• Xiao Ran found Cruz, who surrendered by lying down, then left him and went after Sousuke Sagara.
• Xiao Ran pursued Sousuke through the forest and drove him back to the training ground, where they exchanged fire until both ran out of ammunition.
• Xiao Ran cornered Sousuke in close combat and threatened Mithril and its personnel to make him believe he had to stop the attack.
• Sousuke’s conviction activated the λ-DRIVER, producing a golden barrier that blocked Xiao Ran’s weapons.
• Sousuke tried to block another attack but hesitated, and Xiao Ran cut off Arbalest’s left arm.
• Sousuke advanced with renewed resolve and raised a stronger barrier, but Xiao Ran struck Arbalest from behind and knocked it down before declaring the test over.

Xiao Ran explained his explosive piloting technique and the λ-DRIVER’s requirements, then canceled the streaking wager and helped Mithril plan an infiltration exercise. El-Elf began the exercise with Sousuke Sagara, Melissa Mao, and Cruz, leaving the infiltration underway as he and Sousuke entered the base through a ventilation opening.

• Xiao Ran explained that his explosive operating technique overloaded an Armored Mobile Suit and warned Mithril that its pilots and M9s could not safely use it in battle.
• Xiao Ran called off the streaking wager after Colonel Tessa asked him to, and he explained that obsessive traits helped people use the λ-DRIVER.
• Jerome and El-Elf planned the infiltration exercise, and El-Elf recruited Sousuke Sagara, Melissa Mao, and Cruz using the wager.
• El-Elf, Sousuke Sagara, and Melissa Mao returned to Shima, where El-Elf assigned roles and silently eliminated two hidden sentries.
• El-Elf and Sousuke Sagara entered the base through a ventilation opening while Melissa Mao restored the grille and moved off to carry out her task.

El-Elf and Sousuke Sagara infiltrated the West Pacific Base, seized its central control room, disabled the alarms, and planted miniature C4 explosives in the hangar. El-Elf then moved to capture Tessa, whose nameplate could grant access to Danner's Son, while Tessa waited in her room with Jerome and Al.

• El-Elf and Sousuke Sagara crawled through the ventilation ducts and reached the central control room.
• Sousuke Sagara entered the control room, eliminated its two guards with paint rounds, and disabled the base's alarm system under El-Elf's direction.
• El-Elf entered the hangar and planted a miniature C4 package behind each AS's seat.
• El-Elf chose to capture Tessa, Kalinin, and Richard, prioritizing Tessa because her nameplate could access Danner's Son.
• Tessa remained in her room with Jerome and Al, waiting for El-Elf to arrive.

El-Elf captured Tessa and laid out how he could cripple Mithril’s West Pacific Base, while Xiao Ran revealed that Amalgam might have spies inside Mithril. Al declined to let El-Elf inspect the organization immediately, and El-Elf continued toward the Danaan, eliminating everyone in his way.

• El-Elf infiltrated Tessa’s room, declared Tessa, Jerome, and Al his prisoners, and explained how his planted bombs and hidden teammates could defeat the base.
• Tessa challenged El-Elf’s plan, but he described using the armory as a decoy and sealing the Danaan inside its harbor.
• Xiao Ran arrived and told Tessa, Jerome, and Al that Amalgam had likely planted spies in Mithril’s teams and headquarters.
• Xiao Ran offered to loan El-Elf to Mithril to help detect suspicious activity, but Al said Mithril needed to discuss the offer.
• El-Elf headed toward the Danaan’s harbor and swiftly eliminated every Mithril target he encountered.

El-Elf overwhelmed Mithril’s defenses in a base exercise, exposing serious security flaws and prompting Mithril to accept his help screening its personnel. Chidori returned to Japan under protection while Xiao Ran began an exhausting training program for Sousuke Sagara.

• El-Elf triggered real explosions outside the base and used traps and grenades to eliminate Mithril’s defenders before reaching Danner's Son and ending the exercise.
• Mithril recognized its defensive and personnel-screening problems, and after two days invited El-Elf to help investigate and screen its members, beginning with the Western Pacific Corps.
• Chidori returned to Japan with Cruz, Sousuke Sagara, and Melissa Mao protecting her, while Xiao Ran took Luo, Jerome, Al, and Doctor Peroz away with his Hell Monarch.
• Xiao Ran put Sousuke Sagara through intensive training in piloting, λ-DRIVER use, reflexes, and perception, leaving him almost no time to rest.

Xiao Ran trained Sousuke Sagara to sharpen his senses and control the λ-DRIVER while covering Chidori's protection detail. As Main Mission One neared its end, Tessa arrived at Xiao Ran's base in a battered state with an unconscious, handcuffed young man, and Xiao Ran recognized the incident as one involving a λ-DRIVER-equipped AS.

• Xiao Ran trained Sousuke Sagara to rely on his senses, and Sousuke learned to move blindfolded and focus his mind.
• Xiao Ran, Chidori, and Cruz helped Sousuke improve his use of the λ-DRIVER through practice and combat training.
• Xiao Ran took over protecting Chidori while Sousuke, Cruz, and Melissa Mao went on missions, then returned the duty to Sousuke.
• Xiao Ran was contacting Luo about the new unit and Hell Monarch modification when he heard someone outside and drew his gun.
• Tessa arrived at Xiao Ran's base, bruised and filthy, with an unconscious young man in handcuffs; Xiao Ran brought them inside and recognized the likely incident.

Tessa told Xiao Ran that A21 had attacked a research institute and that Major Kalinin was missing, then asked him to protect Takuma until Mithril could help. After Xiao Ran found and crushed a transmitter implanted in Takuma, he fled with Tessa, but Danner's Son was still hours away and he had no AS available.

• Tessa explained that A21 had attacked the facility holding Takuma and that Major Kalinin's fate was unknown.
• Xiao Ran contacted El-Elf and asked him to alert Danner's Son and arrange support for Tessa and Takuma.
• Xiao Ran found a transmitter implanted in Takuma's arm and crushed it, waking Takuma briefly before he fainted again.
• Xiao Ran packed weapons and ammunition, then left with Tessa and Takuma because A21 might target them and endanger nearby people.
• El-Elf reported that Danner's Son would take at least three hours and twenty minutes to reach them, while Xiao Ran had no AS available.

Xiao Ran brought Tessa to an abandoned factory while preparing for a possible confrontation with A21 and arranging for Mithril to send the modified Hell Monarch. With Sousuke Sagara and Chidori Kaname reunited with them, he planned to secure Tessa and Chidori before trying to rescue Major Kalinin and dismantle the organization.

• A C-rank Side Mission tasked Xiao Ran with dismantling A21, protecting Tessa, rescuing Major Kalinin, and returning safely to Danner's Son.
• Xiao Ran told Luo that trouble might be coming, and Luo reported that the Hell Monarch was ready but the new machine would take at least a month to complete.
• Xiao Ran drove Tessa and the unconscious Takuma to an abandoned factory, where he tied Takuma to a pillar and gave Tessa a pistol for protection.
• Xiao Ran told Tessa that Mithril support would arrive in a little over two hours and warned that Major Kalinin might be in danger if they waited too long.
• Sousuke Sagara arrived at the factory, then returned with Chidori Kaname, who had brought clothes for Tessa and food for the group.

Xiao Ran decided to go alone to rescue Kalinin and destroy A21, but an armed group surrounded the factory before he could leave. After confirming their imposing leader was another participant, Xiao Ran fought back, and the man demanded that he hand over Takuma.

• Xiao Ran heard Tessa and Sousuke Sagara discuss waiting for Danner's Son's reinforcements and locating A21 and Kalinin.
• Xiao Ran decided to leave Chidori, Tessa, Sousuke Sagara, and Takuma at the factory while he went alone to attack A21's headquarters and rescue Kalinin.
• Xiao Ran sensed an armed group surrounding the factory, including a huge, unarmed man he suspected was a participant.
• Xiao Ran threw two grenades at the suspected participant, who kicked them away and confirmed Xiao Ran's suspicion.
• Sousuke Sagara protected Tessa and Chidori and shot two attackers, while Xiao Ran leapt outside and shot down four more.
• The participant faced Xiao Ran and demanded that he hand over Takuma, offering to leave without fighting.

Xiao Ran negotiated with a hostile participant to exchange a captured person for the kid A21 wanted, buying time while he waited for reinforcements. The A21 force withdrew, and Xiao Ran planned to protect Major Kalinin and later confront the participant from a position of strength.

• Xiao Ran recognized that the masked participant was wary of fighting and asked about his mission and behavioral alignment.
• The participant revealed that he had to bring the kid back and activate a giant AS, and that his alignment was neutral chaos.
• Xiao Ran agreed to let the participant take the kid in exchange for Major Kalinin, setting a one-hour deadline.
• The participant ordered the A21 members to withdraw from the factory, and they left with resentment toward Xiao Ran.
• Sousuke Sagara joined Xiao Ran, who explained that he had negotiated to avoid a costly fight and prioritize Major Kalinin's safety.

Xiao Ran exchanged Takuma for Major Kalinin, then forced the man who had taken Takuma to choose between cooperation and becoming his enemy. The man, Luo, agreed to cooperate after Xiao Ran offered a contract and a guarantee of one hundred thousand Merit Points.

• Xiao Ran exchanged Takuma for Major Kalinin while Sousuke Sagara, Chidori, and Tessa waited in ambush.
• The man threatened Takuma, then prepared to leave with him after ordering his lackeys to put him in the car.
• Xiao Ran warned the man to stay away from A21 and revealed that he knew about the man's chain Side Mission.
• An aircraft appeared above the factory, leaving the man at a disadvantage as Xiao Ran demanded that he cooperate or become an enemy.
• Xiao Ran offered Luo a contract and one hundred thousand Merit Points as a guarantee, and Luo agreed to cooperate.
• Luo gave Xiao Ran his number, 10356, and Xiao Ran sent him a temporary team contract for the mission.

Xiao Ran exchanged Takuma and guaranteed Luo’s survival in return for his cooperation, then explained to Mithril why he had avoided fighting Luo. With A21’s giant AS still a threat, Xiao Ran prepared to attack once reinforcements and his own unit arrived.

• Luo signed Xiao Ran’s contract, accepted the guaranteed one hundred thousand Merit Points, and left with Takuma’s rescue mission still to complete.
• Xiao Ran declined to fight Luo, explaining that he could not ensure the others’ safety and that the two had agreed not to interfere with each other’s missions.
• Mao arrived in an M9, and Kalinin confirmed that A21 was planning something with Takuma; Xiao Ran revealed that the group had built a giant AS equipped with a λ-DRIVER.
• Xiao Ran told Tessa that protecting her and Chidori came first, while Kalinin agreed that provoking Luo without sufficient combat power would be unwise.
• Cruz took Chidori, Tessa, and Kalinin away to safety as Xiao Ran awaited reinforcements and his own unit.
• A blazing object streaked toward the factory, split apart in the sky, and dropped a large package by parachute two or three kilometers away.

Xiao Ran received Luo’s heavily modified Hell Monarch, renamed it Demon King, and tested its flight capabilities. After an explosion erupted at the city harbor, he flew there while directing Mao and Sousuke Sagara to wait for reinforcements before joining the fight.

• Xiao Ran inspected the remodeled Hell Monarch and saw that Luo had rebuilt its armor, cockpit, systems, and Flight Pack.
• A distant explosion and fiery sky signaled the start of a battle at the city harbor.
• Xiao Ran entered the cockpit, adjusted the OS to his preferences, and activated the mecha’s PS Armor.
• Xiao Ran renamed the machine Demon King, launched it into the air, and flew toward the harbor.
• Mao and Sousuke Sagara saw the Demon King flying, and Xiao Ran told them to await Danner's Son’s reinforcements and the Strongbow before joining the battle.