Recaps

Velin began reorganizing Qixing Territory’s military after returning, separating military command from administration and assigning commanders and unit tiers. He left the final arrangements underway, with forces ranked by combat readiness and losses to be replenished from lower tiers.

• Calansa retired from serving Velin, and Velin granted him five hundred Gold Coins and asked Hilda to investigate his apprentice.
• Velin ordered Kyle to investigate people recommended by Belder and his associates, sending those cleared to West Wind County.
• Hilda and Sisina discussed how Velin’s scrutiny of Belder’s recommendations signaled a shift toward checks and balances and a possible military restructuring.
• Velin reviewed Qixing Territory’s annual reports and began assigning commanders, including placing his Guardian Knights in combat units and choosing Silier as vice dean of the Knight Academy.
• Velin reorganized officers and classified the Star Prayer Camp and Second Battalion as first-tier forces, six other battalions as second-tier forces, garrisons and patrols as third-tier forces, and militia as fourth-tier forces.

Velin and Kyle went to the Frozen Zone, where Anastasia handed over the Red Dragon Seraphina after breaking her resistance and making her obey. Back at Star Moon Castle, Velin rejected O'dor's request to study Seraphina, leaving her as his captive pet.

• Velin reviewed Kyle's report, then traveled with him to the Frozen Zone to collect the Red Dragon Anastasia had held captive.
• Anastasia freed the Red Dragon, who knelt before her and obeyed her commands; Velin and Kyle discovered that the dragon was a female named Seraphina.
• Anastasia made Seraphina Velin's master and sent them away from the Ice Castle.
• Velin explained to Kyle that he would use Seraphina's blood rather than breed her, and Seraphina repeatedly looked back toward the Frozen Zone as they traveled.
• At Star Moon Castle, Velin showed Seraphina three petrified Blazing Fire Drake Eggs and had her resume her dragon form.
• O'dor asked to borrow Seraphina for research, but Velin refused because he feared O'dor might dissect her.

Velin and Kyle collected ancient treasures and harvested blood from the Red Dragon Seraphina, while Velin learned that three Fire Drake eggs would hatch in about eight months. The chapter ended with Eunice taking the eggs to care for them and Kyle carrying the dazed Seraphina to his residence.

• Velin showed O'dor a pile of ancient weapons and treasures, and O'dor estimated that they were around forty thousand years old before taking them away to study.
• Kyle drew about fifty jin of blood from Seraphina, healed her wound, and restrained her wings when her excitement caused a powerful gale.
• Kyle fed Seraphina's blood to the three Blazing Fire Drake Eggs, and Velin estimated that they would hatch in about eight months.
• Velin asked Eunice to care for the eggs, and she carried them away after using Weight Reduction.
• Velin went to his study, while Kyle made Seraphina float and took her to his residence.

Kyle began planning how to alienate Seraphina, while Velin reviewed Qixing Territory’s military and academy resources and prepared for the second opening of the trade route. Velin outlined the negotiations and immense costs involved, then set aside his questions about the Water of Mikaelronx until Lord O'dor had studied the ancient artifacts.

• Kyle returned to his residence with Seraphina, placed her on the bed, and considered how to alienate her.
• Velin calculated that black-skinned pork production could not meet the needs of his troops and reviewed the Knight Academy and Mage Academy graduates.
• Velin estimated that his multi-flame flowers and glowing wine could produce fifty Silver Warriors every five years.
• Velin planned to attend the Cadro Province Noble Council and oversee the upcoming population migration before pursuing a trade route through several kingdoms.
• Velin considered seeking permission from the Silver Dragon Burke Kingdom and involving his family and maternal grandfather to fund a teleportation array.
• Velin examined the ten magic crystals, wondered what the Water of Mikaelronx was, and decided to wait for Lord O'dor's research.

Velin completed a soul contract with Seraphina, becoming a Dragon Knight, and tested her power before returning to his duties. He presided over the nineteenth Cadro Province Noble Council, which ended early, and arranged a victory banquet.

• Seraphina swore an oath to become Velin’s master-bound dragon under the witness of the World Consciousness, and Kyle assured Velin that her bloodline would not affect him.
• Velin rode Seraphina from Qixing County to the Gray Mang Wasteland, where she incinerated a Kobold tribe at his command.
• Velin appointed Seraphina the castle’s third Head Maid, then resumed knight training under Kyle’s supervision.
• Velin presented three proposals at the nineteenth Cadro Province Noble Council, and the nobles unanimously approved them.
• After the council ran out of business, Velin proposed a victory banquet, declared the meeting concluded, and asked Kyle to invite Governor Audrey.

Governor Audrey tightened security in Kadlo Province as a covert group of Evil God believers operated in the South City District. At a banquet, Lord Velin gave her intelligence about three villages in exchange for a thousand Gold Coins, and Audrey left to prepare a search operation.

• Audrey ordered more patrols, stronger public order in the South City District, and priests to treat injured civilians.
• Number Two warned the gray-robed group that security had increased, while the High Priest assigned them to gather intelligence and manage their followers without acting rashly.
• The High Priest left through an underground passage disguised as a merchant, unaware that an assassin had watched him.
• At Qixing Manor, Velin told Audrey that Mide Village, Encher Village, and Isolene Village should be searched with at least five thousand soldiers.
• Audrey paid Velin a thousand Gold Coins for the remaining intelligence and hurried away with her trusted subordinates.

Velin returned to Cadro Province after Governor Audrey’s purge, visited Brian’s family in Ridge Territory, and finally advanced to the High-Gold Knight rank. His next challenge was to evolve his brain with Battle Qi and eventually integrate a battle skill into his soul to reach Soul Intent Low-Tier Knight.

• Velin entered Cadro Province after a seven-day lockdown had purged cultists and overhauled the City Defense Army, then heard that Milada’s adventurer party was developing normally in Dany Province.
• Velin offered Brian more supplies, but Brian refused to go into debt again.
• Velin visited Ridge Territory, met Brian’s wife Eleanor Ex and their child Lathea, and urged Brian to use the planned trade road to develop his territory.
• Velin returned to Qixing Territory after a harmonious visit with Brian’s family.
• In early February 9740, Velin completed five years of training and broke through to the High-Gold Knight rank.
• Velin learned that advancing to Soul Intent Low-Tier Knight required carefully evolving his brain with Battle Qi and integrating a battle skill into his soul.

Velin learned that his elder brother Lord Isis would marry in September, then prepared for the kingdom’s population relocation by offering to accept migrants in Qixing Territory. The chapter ended with Velin sharing Glowing Wine with the Mutated Griffon on a special night.

• Kyle estimated that Velin could reach Soul Intent Low-Tier in less than twenty years, and gave him Lord Isis’s wedding invitation.
• Velin predicted that Lord Isis’s wedding would involve vast exchanges of interests but decided Qixing Territory would not prepare goods for trade.
• The kingdom approved a plan to relocate twenty million people from the eastern provinces to the west, and Governor Audrey asked Velin how many migrants he could accommodate.
• Velin told Audrey’s messenger that Qixing Territory could take in 400,000 people and hoped some would have useful skills.
• Gray received a summons from Kyle, while Blue resolved to train harder so she would not fall behind Gray.
• Velin opened his window on a special night and poured Glowing Wine for the arriving Mutated Griffon.

Velin visited Cadro Province to select 100,000 people from the refugee population for his territory, while Governor Audrey struggled to feed and manage the newcomers. At the camp, a desperate girl revealed a fleeting talent for ice magic and asked Velin to take her with him.

• Governor Audrey learned that the 250,000 refugees had only fifteen days of food and requested 100,000 tons of grain while arranging for Velin to select 100,000 people.
• Velin reviewed the refugees’ records and told Kyle to prioritize those under twenty, people with families, and those with multiple skills.
• Kyle used magic to organize records at great speed while Blue watched, and Velin inspected the camp and warned officials to maintain sanitation and prevent plague.
• Velin saw stronger refugees bullying weaker ones, then stopped guards from removing a girl who knelt in his path and asked to join him.
• The girl touched Velin’s Knight Sword with her middle finger, briefly covering its tip in frost.

Velin recruited Zephirin, a girl who could create ice despite her ordinary body, and arranged for Anastasia to teach her for the next ten years. After settling a large group of migrants across the territory, Velin prepared for another incoming population batch as his eldest brother’s wedding approached.

• Velin punished the three men who stole Zephirin’s food and invited her to come with him.
• Kyle named the girl Zephirin, and Velin decided to send her to Anastasia for training.
• Velin brought Zephirin to the Frozen Zone, where Anastasia witnessed her ice-making ability and agreed to teach her.
• Belder distributed one hundred thousand migrants among West Wind County, Blue Gauze County, and Qixing County.
• By the end of July, Qixing Territory received another one hundred and fifty thousand people, and Velin left Belder to prepare for the next batch.

Velin met his childhood friend Aston in the West River Province Capital and learned about Aston’s life in the army, his coming child, and the West River Eight Counts Alliance. They reminisced about their childhood before parting after three hours, with Aston urging Velin to marry.

• Velin traveled from Qixing Territory to the West River Province Capital and learned about the province’s political alliances while sightseeing.
• Velin reunited with Aston Asville and met Aston’s pregnant wife, Tainia, at a tea shop.
• Aston told Velin he served as a staff officer in the Thirteenth Legion and planned to renounce his inheritance rights after his child was born.
• Aston described the West River Eight Counts Alliance’s military strength, and Velin dismissed it as unimpressive.
• Velin, Aston, and Tainia reminisced about Aston’s childhood, then Velin and Aston parted after Aston advised Velin to marry.

Velin visited the Burke Club, learned how its gambling and credit system worked, and met Adink, who had come to West River Province for an elven slave. Adink left with his butler after calling Velin a high-level Gold Knight with a simple mind.

• Velin watched the crowd gather around a man who owed the Burke Club two hundred Gold Coins, then entered the club with Kyle.
• A woman in red explained the club’s bottle-cap currency and credit rules, and Velin exchanged thirty Gold Coins for caps.
• Velin distributed Blue Bottle Caps to Gray, Blue, and the four guards, then split White Bottle Caps with Kyle before trying his luck at gambling.
• Velin won caps from other gamblers and encountered Adink, who said he was staying in West River Province to find an elven slave.
• After speaking with Velin for half an hour, Adink left the Burke Club with his butler and remarked that Velin was a high-level Gold Knight but had a simple mind.

Velin and his companions left Burke Club after Kyle won a large pile of bottle caps, then spent ten days exploring West River Province’s districts. In the South City District’s Commercial District, Velin visited a slave shop and examined the captives for sale.

• Kyle won against several opponents at Burke Club and exchanged his winnings for gold after the club took its share.
• Velin and his companions left Burke Club, rented eight rooms at a nearby inn, and rested for the night.
• Velin toured the East and North City Districts over ten days, then explored the orderly South City District with Kyle and the others.
• Velin visited the Commercial District and declined to buy a cat person offered by a merchant.
• Velin followed the merchant into a basement holding more than a hundred slaves and heard him describe a Fire Rock Lizardman and a Half-elf for sale.

Velin bought a decaying young mage, and Kyle cleansed and transformed him using his power and Red Dragon blood. The young man awoke as Caius, codenamed Illusion, and joined Velin’s group, though his damaged soul limited his abilities for five years.

• Kyle pointed out the decaying young man, and Velin bought him from the merchant for one thousand Gold Coins.
• Kyle examined the young man and removed the aura of decay from him, revealing a feather-shaped mark on his forehead.
• At the inn, Kyle used his Mana Energy and three bottles of Red Dragon blood to transform the young man’s body and soul.
• The young man awoke, recognized Kyle as his master, and was named Caius with the codename Illusion.
• Kyle explained that Illusion was a Silver Low-Tier Dream Weaver whose soul could collapse if he used overly powerful abilities within the next five years.

Velin returned to Windsor Castle after seventeen years away and reunited with his father, Angus, and his mother, Elisa. He met his second sister, Olseya, and recounted his wartime experiences, leaving the two siblings alone together in the garden.

• Kyle instructed Huan to conceal his abilities for the next five years, and Velin later traveled to Windsor Castle.
• At the East City Gate, officer Saiya welcomed Velin and let him enter with his companions.
• Velin reunited with Angus, who praised him for his deeds in the Seven Years' War and sent him to see Elisa.
• Velin met Olseya in the garden and tentatively recognized her as his second sister.
• Velin told Elisa and Olseya about his wartime experiences, then declined Elisa's suggestion to arrange a marriage for Kyle.
• After Elisa left to attend to castle business, Velin and Olseya sat together in silence.

Velin spoke with Olseya about her forbidden love and later reunited with Risis, lending him money and knight equipment for his territory. The brothers reminisced about childhood and reaffirmed their bond before Velin prepared for Ilisis’s wedding.

• Velin warned Olseya that their father would likely oppose her marrying a commoner-born Holy Knight, and she said she would obey their father's decision.
• Velin left Olseya and went to his residence near Melis Garden Castle, where Ilisis’s wedding would be held.
• Risis returned to Windsor Castle, and he and Velin went hunting and revisited childhood haunts.
• Risis asked Velin for a ten-million-Gold-Coin loan, and Velin agreed to lend it along with three hundred sets of Fine Grade full knight equipment.
• Velin and Risis raced across Silver Lake, traded childhood stories, and reflected on their enduring brotherly bond.

Velin and Risis discussed Ilisis’s engagement before Ilisis arrived with his fiancée, Alyssia, to introduce her to them. The brothers and Alyssia shared stories and grew more familiar with one another.

• Velin and Risis discussed their family’s marriage alliances and wondered whether their father or Ilisis would become the First Eagle Marquis.
• Ilisis surprised Velin at the cabin, and Velin raised a Druid Spell Absolute Barrier after noticing Alyssia behind his brother.
• Ilisis introduced Alyssia, his fiancée, to Velin and Risis, and the four sat together over pastries and wine.
• Alyssia and the brothers exchanged stories, and Velin learned that Ilisis and Alyssia had known each other for thirty years.
• Velin joked that their father might punish Ilisis if the family learned of his secret relationship, but Ilisis said it would not matter.

Velin and Risis traveled to Moon Shadow City, where Risis bought a Broken Sword at auction and uncovered a mysterious key hidden in its hilt. Velin warned him to keep knowledge of it secret, leaving Risis to reflect on his brother’s judgment.

• Ilisis worried about the distance between Olseya and his younger brothers, then returned with Alyssia to oversee the wedding arrangements.
• Velin and Risis discussed their awkward relationship with Olseya and continued toward Moon Shadow City.
• The brothers entered the Flower Moon Festival and attended an open-air auction, where Risis bought a Broken Sword for one hundred and one Gold Coins.
• Risis poured his blood over the Broken Sword, causing its blade to crumble and revealing ancient patterns on its hilt.
• Velin told Risis to guard the secret and not share it with anyone untrustworthy, and Risis acknowledged that Velin was wiser than he was.

Velin attended his eldest brother Ilisis and Alyssia's wedding, where the Ex Family's connections gathered and he spent the day socializing and relaxing. Derrigos then brought him to meet someone, while Miyali reminisced with an old classmate about their former schoolmates.

• Velin welcomed guests at Melis Garden Castle and congratulated Adink Budbol on finding someone important to him.
• Lord Oleius officiated Ilisis and Alyssia's wedding, after which Ilisis was introduced to influential guests as Angus prepared him to take over family affairs.
• Velin and Risis relaxed together and speculated about the burdens Ilisis would face after marriage.
• Adink and his elf joined Velin and Risis to lounge and discuss the evening ball.
• Derrigos pulled Velin away to meet someone, while Miyali reminisced with a young woman about their Knight Academy classmates.

Velin met Yuffie Silvis, the aunt of his arranged fiancée Xuemiyya, and learned that she approved of their marriage. After leaving Miyali’s gathering to avoid more elders, Velin met Elowen Isidore, a visitor from the Holy Third Dawn Kingdom who praised his father’s governance.

• Miyali and Yuffie discussed Yuffie’s husband’s new post reviewing nobles’ war records and the possibility that Velin’s achievements might be treated as secret matters.
• Miyali introduced Velin to Yuffie Silvis, who was Xuemiyya’s aunt and whose husband was Xuemiyya’s father’s full brother.
• Yuffie reassured Velin that Xuemiyya was only three years older than him, then agreed with Miyali that he was worthy of marrying her niece.
• After half an hour, Velin left Miyali and Yuffie and tried to avoid further elders as he walked around the gathering.
• Velin met Elowen Isidore, who introduced himself as a visitor from the Holy Third Dawn Kingdom and praised Velin’s father’s governance of Eagle Territory.

Velin spoke with Ailoven, then watched Ilisis and Alyssia’s first dance at their wedding ball. His grandparents praised his achievements, advised him to think carefully before acting, and gave him two Spatial Rings before the family gathered after the festivities.

• Velin and Ailoven spent two hours talking, then embraced and parted as friends.
• Velin watched Ilisis and Alyssia perform their first dance, after which Earl Eagle welcomed the guests to the ball.
• Ignatius and Clotilde joined Velin, praised his accomplishments, and urged him to consider decisions carefully.
• Ignatius gave Velin two Spatial Rings, and Velin decided to give them to Orlando and Belder.
• After the ball, Velin arrived late to the family gathering and took the last seat.

At a family meeting, Angus discussed his children’s marriages and gave Velin the marriage contract binding him to Xuemiyya Silvis. After learning about his fiancée and spending time with Ailoven during the guests’ visit, Velin returned to Qixing Territory.

• Angus asked Olseya and Lixis about their marriage plans, warned Olseya he would intervene if she made no progress within six months, and told Velin he could marry within ten years.
• Angus gave Velin the marriage contract, and Velin put it away before his siblings could read the names on it.
• Velin read that his fiancée was Xuemiyya Silvis, a forty-two-year-old Mid-Gold Arcanist studying illusion magic at the Axi Magic Kingdom.
• During the visitors’ stay, Velin spoke with Ailoven about their kingdoms and local sights, then reflected on what culture Qixing Territory might develop.
• After the trading ended, Velin returned to Windsor Castle, stayed for several days, and set off for Qixing Territory.

Velin negotiated with Madmonk to transfer Flora from the 16th Silver Knight Order to Qixing Territory, offering Knight Academy graduates in exchange and agreeing to teach Layla and Kadeqi’s future child. After Flora and O'dor married, she said goodbye to Layla and left for Qixing Territory.

• O'dor told Velin he wanted Flora to leave the 16th Knight Order after their marriage, and Velin promised to arrange it.
• Velin offered Madmonk eight hundred Knight Academy graduates in exchange for Flora, and agreed to teach Layla and Kadeqi’s future child.
• Madmonk accepted the agreement, and Velin promised O'dor that Flora would be free to leave.
• Flora and O'dor married alongside Kadeqi and Layla, with Velin celebrating at the wedding.
• Five days later, Flora said goodbye to Layla and departed for Qixing Territory with O'dor.

Velin appointed Flora chief instructor of Star Moon Fort’s garrison, then led the Silver Wolf Knights to investigate a newly exposed ruin suspected of being a Demon altar. After Kyle determined the structures had appeared recently, Velin waited for additional support before entering.

• Flora asked Velin for work, and he appointed her Chief Instructor for Star Moon Fort's garrison.
• Kyle told Velin that a collapse in Autumn Cloud Town had uncovered ruins suspected to be a Demon altar, prompting Velin to summon the Silver Wolf Knights and notify Priest Lavia and his uncle-in-law.
• Velin and Kyle rode to the site with forty Silver Wolf Knights, while their evolved Red Phosphorus Horses demonstrated their speed and stamina.
• Duke Grofner led Velin's party to the valley, where they saw black ruins marked with skulls and pillars made of flesh and blood.
• Kyle concluded the demon-related structures had appeared recently, and Velin ordered the Qiuyun County garrison to withdraw while they waited for more support.

O'dor, Velin, Lavia, and Kyle explored the suspected demon ruins, collecting Scarlet Orbs and Livius Demon Flowers. In an empty library, Kyle found instructions for making the Water of Mikaeronx, which Velin needed to activate his discarded Magic Crystal.

• O'dor, Lavia, Velin, and Kyle entered the ruins, where Kyle repeatedly punched through a self-repairing wall until it weakened.
• Kyle broke open Gargoyles and recovered Scarlet Orbs; the group collected twenty-four, with O'dor taking three and Kyle storing the rest.
• Kyle revealed the true appearance and cleansing ability of the Livius Demon Flower, then harvested 333 flowers with his energy clones.
• The group reached an empty library, where Kyle found and translated a parchment describing how to make the Water of Mikaeronx.
• Kyle read the recipe's ingredients, and Velin realized the Water of Mikaeronx could activate his discarded Magic Crystal.