Recaps

Velin established the Gray Fog Spring Outpost, then spent weeks preparing Qixing Territory for the opening of its Teleportation Array under the Zeferus–Qixing Trade Agreement. After hosting Fenius, he sent him off with Glowing Wine and placed three silver dragon scales in the Underground Treasury.

• Velin appointed An and Huan to oversee the Gray Fog Space outpost and the area beneath the pink spring lake, with their duties rotating every three months.
• The Silver Dragon Burke Kingdom and the Ilia Kingdom signed the Zeferus–Qixing Trade Agreement, setting rules and fees for the Teleportation Array, which was due to open on March 25.
• Velin designated a two-hundred-square-kilometer trade zone and spent the following days negotiating with nobles, organizing the array’s tax team, and planning roads and trade arrangements.
• Velin hosted Fenius at Star Moon Fort, discussed the recent fish disaster, and heard that Fenius had become the next heir to the Silver Dragon Burke Kingdom’s throne.
• Velin gave Fenius fifty bottles of Glowing Wine, then ordered Kyle to store the three silver dragon scales Fenius had given him in the Underground Treasury.

Velin enjoyed a brief rest, resumed training, and began preparing wedding invitations as a Demonic Calamity loomed six months away. Meanwhile, a hunted middle-aged man used fate cards at great cost to arrange a meeting with Viscount Qixing, and the chapter ended as he entered a private room with Velin and Kyle.

• Velin learned that a Demonic Calamity would strike Lafa Province in six months and considered the danger to the nearby Aels Natural Elf Kingdom.
• After three days of rest, Velin resumed Kyle’s training plan and found that absorbing Mana Energy had become slightly easier after using Gray Crystals.
• Three months later, Velin began writing invitations for his wedding.
• A middle-aged man used fate cards to chart thirteen key events that would let him evade an organization, sacrificing twenty years of lifespan to secure the guidance.
• The middle-aged man followed the fate cards to the Adventurers' Tavern, where he met Velin and offered to sell him a Brewing Secret Recipe for one hundred Gold Coins.
• Velin agreed to speak privately with the middle-aged man, and Kyle followed them into the room.

Velin arranged a meeting between Duke Moravia and Evatt, a Kashimir Organization Vice Star who offered intelligence in exchange for safe passage off the Sinapsis Subcontinent. As Velin’s wedding preparations began, Xuemiyya returned to her family home and reunited with her mother.

• Evatt told Velin that his uncle Augus Moravia had joined the Seven Stars Organization and offered information on thirteen strongholds and important members in exchange for an introduction to Duke Moravia.
• Duke Moravia arrived six days later, accepted Evatt’s offer of intelligence on the organization and the Seven Stars Ragna and Winona, and agreed to let Evatt leave the Sinapsis Subcontinent with his two subordinates.
• Duke Moravia thanked Velin for securing the information, then took Evatt and his subordinates back to his territory; unbeknownst to Velin, the intelligence would lead to upheaval among the kingdom’s upper ranks and the execution of three counts, including Count Draysil.
• Velin chose Star Prayer Day for his wedding, while Qixing Territory prepared for the occasion and Kyle behaved mysteriously.
• Xuemiyya returned to the royal capital after ten years away, reunited with Yulalia Silvis, and told her she had resigned from her professorship.
• Siprian returned home that evening, and he, Yulalia, and Xuemiyya spent a peaceful night together.

Xuemiyya arrived in Qixing Territory and spent the day exploring Star Prayer City with Velin before meeting his family at Star Moon Fort. As more guests arrived for the wedding, Velin welcomed his relatives and Great-Granduncle Viterlis.

• On October 8, Xuemiyya arrived outside Star Prayer City, and Velin welcomed her as his future wife.
• Velin showed Xuemiyya around the city, where she bought two wooden statues of him from a stall owner who sincerely wished her the Goddess of Life’s blessing.
• Velin introduced Xuemiyya to Flora, O'dor, and Kyle at dinner, then arranged for her to stay in a separate guest room until they married.
• On October 13, Velin and Xuemiyya welcomed Angus, Elisa, Ilisis, and Alyssia at Star Moon Fort, and Velin discussed his maternal grandfather’s family with his father and elder brother.
• That afternoon, Blood Moon Count Miyali, Viterlis, and Delgos arrived, and Viterlis greeted Velin familiarly.

Velin welcomed relatives and guests to Qixing Territory before marrying Xuemiyya in a ceremony officiated by Earl Hurricane Io Lixis. The Goddess of Life’s sacred light descended during their vows, and the two became husband and wife.

• Viterlis praised Velin for meeting Xuemiyya, then toured Star Moon Fort with him.
• Earl Hurricane Io Lixis and his family arrived, followed by Count Andusi, Count Misis, and other wedding guests.
• Xuemiyya’s parents arrived on October 17, and Velin formally met Siprian and Yulalia with his parents present.
• On October 18, 9746 of the Radiant Calendar, Velin and Xuemiyya entered the wedding venue as Earl Hurricane began the ceremony.
• Velin and Xuemiyya vowed to marry and remain faithful, and the Goddess of Life’s sacred light bathed the venue.
• Earl Hurricane declared Velin and Xuemiyya husband and wife, and the guests assumed the goddess had merely looked upon the place by chance.

Velin and Xuemiyya completed their wedding ceremony, greeted their guests, and spent their first night together as a married couple. The next morning, they joined Velin’s family in the hall.

• Anastasia watched the wedding vows from the Ice Castle and reminded Zephirin that she would teach her for only four more years.
• Velin and Xuemiyya exchanged blessings with Earl Hurricane and greeted their guests, including Brian and Eleanor.
• Velin and Xuemiyya shared their first dance, and the wedding ceremony ended before the guests celebrated at the banquet.
• Velin and Xuemiyya went to their room, where she agreed to help him train Mind Mages.
• The next morning, Velin and Xuemiyya dressed and headed to the hall, where Angus, Elisa, Cyprian, Eularia, Isis, and Aisilia awaited them.

Velin and Xuemiyya spent their wedding journey traveling through Qixing Territory, sharing in Star Prayer Day celebrations and visiting Blue Gauze Lake and several cities. After seven days, they returned to Star Moon Fort, where their families awaited them.

• Velin and Xuemiyya left Star Moon Fort together after breakfast and rode toward Blue Gauze Lake.
• Velin and Xuemiyya watched Barley Village's Star Prayer Day celebration, where Isla presented them with wheat ears and offered her congratulations.
• Velin and Xuemiyya arrived at Blue Gauze Lake at night, admired the lake and Blue Gauze City, and spent the evening exploring the city.
• Velin and Xuemiyya traveled through West Wind City, Autumn Cloud City, and Deer Cry Town over the next seven days before returning to Star Prayer City.
• Velin and Xuemiyya watched the sunrise from the castle on October 24th, then returned to Star Moon Fort at noon.

After returning to normal life at Star Moon Fort, Velin approved changes to the underground Auxiliary Army and tried to avoid Belder’s request for more clerks. Belder cornered Velin at lunch and secured permission to take two officials from West Wind County.

• Velin saw the visiting elders, friends, and family leave Qixing Territory before returning to his usual routine.
• Kyle gave Blue the first half of the Wind Dancer Attendant cultivation method and promised her four Half-elves as subordinates.
• Velin approved O'dor’s proposal to assign weaker Auxiliary Army members to mining and recruit qualified soldiers from the new generation of Subterranean Creatures who worshiped the Goddess of Life.
• When Kyle told Velin that Belder was coming with Xuemiyya, Velin abandoned his excuse about going to Long Forest Town and arranged dinner.
• Belder complained that he lacked clerks and asked to take two capable officials from West Wind County; Velin pretended not to know about the matter and let Belder proceed.

Velin and Xuemiyya established a Mind Academy, while Qixing Territory prospered through its Teleportation Array. After learning that the Famine Cult was plotting to attack his lands, Velin arranged for Anastasia to help destroy their gathering place and assembled an army.

• Xuemiyya gave Velin a list of three prospective students, and he approved Rosa, Esther, and Salasha for her Mind Academy.
• Eunice designed and guided the construction of the academy, where Xuemiyya began teaching the three girls.
• Velin earned substantial income from the Qixing Territory Teleportation Array and secured trade agreements with nobles for discounted access to Transcendent Resources.
• The Guidance of Fate revealed that thousands of Famine Cultists had gathered in Lookout River Valley to overthrow Qixing Territory and sacrifice to the God of Famine.
• Velin sent knights to scout the valley, then asked Anastasia to join an expedition against the cultists.
• Velin gathered nine thousand elite soldiers outside Star Moon Fort, including twelve Gold Warrior instructors sent by Earl Hurricane.

Velin led Qixing Territory’s forces toward Lookout River Valley, where the Famine Cult prepared to resist and sacrifice its followers. After discovering their plans had been exposed, Bishop Karian tracked down and killed the priest he believed had betrayed them.

• Velin assembled Qixing Territory’s troops and marched northwest toward Lookout River Valley with Anastasia’s approval.
• The Famine Cult’s leaders mourned their exposed followers and planned to sacrifice Qixing Territory’s million inhabitants to their god.
• Drusilla reported that more than twenty-six thousand nonhuman creatures would serve as sacrifices, while Bellamy reported the creation of twelve Low-Gold Famine Knights.
• A Gray Three-legged Crow warned Karian that Qixing Territory’s army was approaching, prompting him to order the valley into a state of war.
• Karian sent Bellamy to activate a hidden Teleportation Array and later confronted Rusi at an underground stronghold.
• Karian accused Rusi of leaking the valley’s location and killed him before his body decayed into filth.

Karian killed Rusi and tried to secure his control of Lookout River Valley as a large army approached. He sent Bellamy away with a black box, but she delivered it to Bishop Urania, who revealed she had planted another spy in the valley.

• Karian gave Rusi’s head to two cultists to display and used Rusi’s transmission crystal to learn what he had reported to Urania.
• After the cultists learned Rusi had been executed, the army marched toward Lookout River Valley, crossed a canyon on an ice bridge Anastasia created, and prepared for battle.
• Karian divined danger and ordered Bellamy to leave with a black box, then placed a divine spell on her as a safeguard for his Soul Fire.
• Bellamy altered the Teleportation Array’s spatial calibration and escaped to a forest, where she gave the black box to Bishop Urania.
• Bishop Urania revealed that she had planted another spy in Lookout River Valley and departed with Bellamy.

Velin arranged an encirclement of Lookout River Valley and warned Hebrew to command the Ice Bear Knight Order carefully. The assault began, and Hebrew led the knights into a charge against the Famine Cult’s transformed beasts.

• Velin assigned Hebrew’s Ice Bear Knight Order to attack from the riverbank, Cassius’s Star Prayer Camp to strike head-on, and Kyle’s units to block the Cultists’ retreat.
• Velin asked Anastasia to leave weaker Cultists to his army, then warned Hebrew that command mistakes could cost him and his knight order dearly.
• Devonshire advised Hebrew to remain calm in battle, and Dexhil said news from his hometown had put him at ease.
• Two hours later, the army began its assault, while Velin stayed with a small Guard Team and the remaining priests.
• Hebrew led eight hundred knights in a wedge charge toward three hundred Famine Beasts and activated group combat skills before using Ice Giant Bear.

The Knight Order and Anastasia crushed the Famine Cult’s forces in Lookout River Valley, while Cassius’s troops hunted down the remaining followers. After the battle, Velin persuaded Lavia to accept a likely promotion as bishop of a new Subordinate Diocese in Qixing Territory.

• Hebrew led the Ice Bear Knight Order in killing the Famine Beasts and the fleeing Famine Priest, then continued toward the heart of Lookout River Valley.
• Cassius’s Star Prayer Camp and the Hurricane Legion officers steadily overwhelmed the Famine Cult while Karian hid nearby.
• Anastasia found Karian, froze him, and destroyed the Famine Cult’s stone fortress and its forces with a spell that turned Lookout River Valley into a frozen wasteland.
• After three days and nights of slaughter, Cassius’s forces had cleared the valley, and the priests purified the corpses.
• Velin offered Lavia the merits needed for promotion and explained that Qixing Territory could become a Subordinate Diocese; Lavia agreed to serve as its bishop.

Velin reviewed the forces’ victories over the Famine Cult and promoted Iden’s Third Camp to the first-tier Blue Gauze Camp. After scouts reported a large Centaur force approaching Lookout River Valley, Velin ordered his troops to meet them, while Kyle suggested the Centaurs had come to trade.

• Cassius, Hebrew, Diver, and Iden reported their units’ kills during the campaign against the Famine Cult.
• Velin asked Devonshire whether he wanted to return to his homeland, and Devonshire said he considered the territory his second home and agreed to lead a new Knight Order in the future.
• Velin renamed Iden’s Third Camp the Blue Gauze Camp and promoted it to the first-tier sequence.
• A scout reported that roughly six thousand Centaurs were approaching Lookout River Valley, and Velin ordered the troops to assemble and meet them.
• Kyle told Velin that the Centaurs were probably coming to trade, using the Gray-skinned Goblin slaves they had received and seeking a partner opposed to the Dwarves.

Velin discussed Qixing Territory’s growing wealth and his plans to expand its borders before leading troops northwest to meet the Centaurs. At a stream, Cassius and the Centaur general Surilen recognized each other and approached unarmed.

• Velin reviewed Qixing Territory’s wealth with Kyle and said he planned to expand so he could establish a Subordinate Diocese under Lavia rather than have an unfamiliar priest appointed.
• Velin left Hebrew's Ice Bear Knight Order and the Second Battalion behind, then led Star Prayer Camp and Blue Gauze Camp northwest.
• The Centaur Great Chieftain Rodis discussed trading with humans to obtain food and goods, while planning to make Gray-skinned Goblins into the Centaurs’ slaves.
• After a human army approached, Surilen led five hundred Centaur warriors to make contact with them.
• Cassius and Surilen recognized each other across a stream, handed their weapons to their companions, and walked toward each other.

Surilen met Lord Velin on behalf of Great Chieftain Rodis to arrange trade talks, while Velin and Kyle prepared to negotiate from a position of advantage. Rodis then sent Surilen to win over Cassius with a valuable gift, leaving Cassius to question the envoy’s intentions.

• Cassius allowed Surilen to meet Velin alone, and Surilen praised Velin for helping the centaurs gain resources through trade with Gray-skinned Goblin slaves.
• After Kyle spoke privately with Velin, Velin agreed to meet Rodis by a nearby stream to discuss negotiations.
• Velin told Kyle they needed to settle terms in advance, then instructed Cassius to appear reluctant when Surilen asked him to introduce Kyle and to keep any benefits for himself.
• Surilen reported the meeting to Rodis, who agreed that Kyle’s intervention had changed Velin’s position and ordered Surilen to approach Cassius with a Twilight Hammer Flower.
• Surilen brought Cassius a White Moon Horse, a Brikhan Clan specialty, and Cassius asked sternly what the gift meant.

Surilen sought Kyle’s help in arranging a trade between the Centaurs and Qixing Territory, while Cassius accepted a bribe to bring him to Kyle. Kyle set conditions for the trade, and Rodis agreed to send horses and rewarded Surilen by letting his eldest son keep the Twilight Hammer Flower.

• Surilen bribed Cassius with Magic Crystals, and Cassius escorted him through the military camp to Kyle.
• Surilen asked Kyle to persuade Velin to allow the trade and offered him the Twilight Hammer Flower, but Kyle declined the gift.
• Kyle required twenty uncastrated White Moon Horses, a Centaur force to help defend Lookout River Valley, and a twenty percent markup on goods.
• Surilen reported Kyle’s terms to Rodis, who ordered Talik to bring fifty White Moon Horses and one hundred warriors from the main camp.
• Rodis told Surilen to let his eldest son consume the Twilight Hammer Flower.

Velin and Rodis established a trade agreement and built an outpost in Lookout River Valley, while Velin returned to Qixing Territory and resumed cultivation. Years later, after completing the first trade with the Centaurs, Velin asked Kyle to recommend a commander for the outpost.

• Velin and Rodis signed the Lookout River Valley Agreement, arranging trade, construction of a fortress, and mutual defense with Centaur warriors and Gray-skinned Goblin slaves.
• After a celebratory banquet and the delivery of fifty White Moon Horses, Velin led his troops back to Qixing Territory, distributed the spoils, and reunited with Xuemiyya.
• Velin cultivated as Gray Crystal production increased, while Kyle studied ways to reduce the crystals’ harmful effects for other professionals.
• Years later, Velin invited Xuemiyya to attend a trade fair in West Wing City and promised to take her shopping beforehand.
• Kyle reported that the first Centaur trade had succeeded and the Lookout River Valley outpost was complete, then Velin asked him to suggest a commanding officer.

Kyle recommended Abrien to command the Lookout River Valley Outpost and Diosa to serve as its priest, and Velin approved both choices. Abrien accepted the assignment, and Devonshire gave her the armor he had worn as a Temple Knight, hoping she would make her own name with it.

• Kyle recommended Abrien as the outpost commander and Diosa as its priest, and Velin chose them both.
• Kyle told Velin that Priest Lavia's promotion to Sub-Diocese Bishop awaited an inspection from the royal capital, and Velin asked to be notified when the inspectors arrived.
• Devonshire showed Abrien the assignment document, and she agreed to follow the lord's arrangements.
• Abrien visited her younger brother Corat, advised him to rest as well as train, and remembered how Devonshire had adopted thirty-three children.
• Devonshire led Abrien to a hidden underground chamber, explained that his old Temple Knight armor carried both his glory and his sins, and gave it to her.
• Abrien put on Devonshire's armor and promised to win glory of her own.

Velin brought Xuemiyya to his Treasure Vault beneath Star Moon Fort, where she saw its treasures and received a Seven-Colored Life Flower. The next day, Velin approved the Lookout River Valley Outpost garrison and ordered preparations to establish a Knight Order.

• Velin activated a Magic Instrument with Xuemiyya's aura and led her through a Space Gate to the Treasure Vault beneath Star Moon Fort.
• Velin showed Xuemiyya the vault's Elemental Knights, stores of wealth and books, and the heart of a Shadow Octopus; Xuemiyya said she could use the heart after becoming a Soul Intent Arcanist.
• Velin gave Xuemiyya a Seven-Colored Life Flower, and they returned to Star Moon Fort that night.
• Kyle delivered the Lookout River Valley Outpost garrison document, and Velin signed it to make Abrien's command official.
• Velin ordered Kyle to have Belder select five hundred knights in Qixing Territory within half a year to form a regular Knight Order.

Velin and Xuemiyya traveled to Westwing City for the Ilia Kingdom’s western trade grand gathering, hosted by Heilder Ist Enlich, and settled into the lodging prepared for them. At the gathering, Velin reunited with Count Rassel and sat down to talk with him.

• Belder received a new order from his lord while clerks brought him additional matters to handle.
• Velin, Xuemiyya, and their attendants arrived in East City and were welcomed by Heilder’s black-clad Butler.
• Velin and Xuemiyya moved into Daphne Manor, where Velin had Kyle dismiss the maids after the household inspected the premises.
• Velin and Xuemiyya attended the trade gathering at Elcia Palace, where Xuemiyya introduced him to Hongdeli Fruit Wine and insisted she would buy any she wanted herself.
• Velin reunited with Count Rassel, changed the subject when Rassel expressed envy of their marriage, and invited him to sit and talk.

Velin received Rassel’s warning to stay clear of an internal auction tied to a secret from the royal family’s past, then sought promising trade partners at Elcia Palace. He struck up a deal with Clever Islet, who set quantities and prices for three of his territory’s resources.

• Rassel secretly warned Velin that the afternoon auction involved a royal-family struggle and advised him to avoid it.
• Velin offered Rassel half of his goods from the Centaur tribes, then entered Elcia Palace with Xuemiyya and Kyle.
• Velin declined other nobles’ trade requests and accepted an invitation to speak with Clever Islet while Xuemiyya chatted with Clever’s companion.
• Clever told Velin how he had developed his border territory and risen from Baron to Viscount and Gold Knight.
• Velin asked about Clever’s White Star Grass, and Clever listed prices and quantities for White Star Grass, Pink Berry, and Three Blood Flower on a Trade Agreement.

Velin secured an ongoing trade agreement with Viscount Clever before attending Herd East Enrich’s speech at the Western Trade Fair. Xuemiyya and Kyle detected the speech’s bewitching effect, and Velin left the fair wary of Herd and his private auction.

• Velin signed a trade agreement with Viscount Clever and told him Rose Flower could help if his territory needed assistance.
• Xuemiyya told Velin that Clever’s wife, Anila, was the commoner he had adopted, while Clever and Anila recalled how they had supported one another.
• Herd East Enrich gave a speech that subtly increased listeners’ favorable impressions of him, and Xuemiyya noticed the effect.
• Kyle shook Velin out of the speech’s influence, and Velin realized Herd’s voice had drawn him in without his awareness.
• After Herd announced a private auction, Velin avoided it and turned away nobles seeking trade; three days later, he left the Western Trade Fair with Xuemiyya and Kyle.

Haider learned that the Child of Miracles had avoided the auction and sent word about a newly uncovered secret to his grandfather. In Qixing Territory, Velin received King Alarick’s invitation to trade with the Ailan Kingdom Airship Fleet and wrote privately to his father.

• Haider learned that Viscount Rude Belder and Countess Cecilia had bought spellbooks, while Viscount Qixing had not attended the auction.
• Haider sent a Magic Crystal to a manor outside Miyer City and ordered an assassin to tell his grandfather that he had leverage for a deal with the Duke of Moravia.
• Velin learned that Aljettah had arrived with his fiancée, Laxia, and welcomed them to Qixing Territory.
• Aljettah gave Velin a letter from King Alarick explaining that Velin could trade with the Ailan Kingdom Airship Fleet when it reached Angara Port in early December.
• Aljettah asked Velin for land to build a castle, and Velin told him to ask Belder to arrange it.
• Velin wrote to his father in the family’s coded language about the coming fleet.

Velin convened the regional governors to announce Qixing Territory’s fourth development campaign and establish the Star Moon Knight Order. After the meeting, he kept Belder behind to discuss additional matters.

• Velin announced that Qixing Territory would begin a fourth development campaign in two years, expanding into northern and western West Wind County using its own citizens and treasury funds.
• Velin assigned Belder to lead the development campaign and asked him to stay after the meeting.
• Velin announced the formation of the Star Moon Knight Order, with five hundred initial knights, pay funded personally by Velin, and assessments every three years.
• Velin appointed Devonshire as the Star Moon Knight Order’s first commander while keeping him as dean of the Knight Academy.
• Velin heard reports from the regional governors, then remained in the conference room with Kyle and Belder after the meeting ended.