Recaps

Velin took Xuemiyya to the Royal Capital and headed for the Floating Base to visit his old friend Krell. When Krell learned Velin had arrived with a silver-haired woman, Talia insisted on accompanying him to meet them.

• Velin and Xuemiyya strolled through the Royal Capital and joked together on their way to the Floating Base.
• A duty officer greeted Velin at the Floating Base and sent Isolde to inform Krell.
• Isolde reported Velin's arrival to Krell, who prepared to leave the captain's office.
• Talia asked whether Velin had brought a silver-haired woman and then insisted on accompanying Krell.
• Talia sent the twelve swordswomen off duty and assigned Isolde to remain on duty.

Velin and Xuemiyya reunited with Krell and Italia, spent time together at Flower Poem Manor, and watched Krell spar with Velin’s clone. After three days, the couples said goodbye, with Italia allowing Krell to visit the Manor once a month.

• Velin greeted Krell outside the Floating Base, and Krell introduced his wife, Italia, to Velin and Xuemiyya.
• Italia and Xuemiyya reunited and grew close, then the four went to Flower Poem Manor, where they encountered Babula.
• Velin relaxed in a private courtyard while Krell asked to spar, and Velin sent his Mid-Gold Faceless Clone to fight him.
• Three days later, Velin and Krell said goodbye and promised to meet again, while Italia and Xuemiyya also parted.
• Italia granted Krell permission to visit Flower Poem Manor once a month, and Isolde saw the couple and quietly retreated.

Velin and Xuemiyya visited the Duke of Moravia, who punished Rowell and his father for Rowell’s abuse of influence. The Duke offered Velin a diplomatic post, but after declining, Velin learned that unrest in the Graylight Wasteland and a Monster Clan tide were approaching, giving him a chance to act from his territory.

• Duke of Moravia forced Rowell to confess his wrongdoing and ordered Ankrol to discipline him, choosing three years accompanying his third brother over five years in Magic Flame Cave.
• Velin and Xuemiyya entered the hall, where Duke of Moravia warmly welcomed Velin and teased him about profiting as a grain rat.
• Duke of Moravia told Velin the kingdom planned to send an embassy to the Holy Third Dawn Kingdom and asked him to serve as deputy envoy.
• Velin declined after learning his father would lead the embassy, and Duke of Moravia warned him of unrest in the Graylight Wasteland and an approaching Monster Clan tide.
• Velin saw the danger as an opportunity, confident that Qixing Territory was now strong enough to face the Monster Clan.

Velin and Xuemiyya visited the First Mage Academy to find Xuemiyya’s younger sister, Professor Camelia. After Camelia searched the classroom for the concealed visitors with powerful spells, Xuemiyya revealed herself and introduced Velin as Camelia’s brother-in-law before they left to talk at Camelia’s place.

• Velin and Xuemiyya entered the First Mage Academy and used a Magic Crystal to locate the classroom where Xuemiyya’s sister taught.
• Velin and Xuemiyya watched Camelia teach a class, and Camelia later sensed someone concealed in the empty room.
• Camelia cast a series of powerful spells that turned the classroom to ice and then lava, but Xuemiyya’s Mind Illusion kept them hidden.
• Xuemiyya ended the Illusionary Realm and revealed herself and Velin to Camelia, who embraced her sister and met Velin.
• Xuemiyya planted blank illusions in the memories of three Silver Mages outside the classroom, then left with Velin and Camelia to talk at Camelia’s place.

Velin offered to pay off Camelia’s debts and fund her research if she taught at the Mage Academy in Qixing Territory for ten years. He secured Tadius’s approval to release her from her contract, while the Demon Soul Light Orb transaction was postponed until around the title promotion ceremony.

• Camelia explained that she owed three million Gold Coins after spending her savings on research materials and Gold-grade Demon Soul Light Orbs.
• Velin offered to clear Camelia’s debts and provide annual research funding if she taught in Qixing Territory for ten years, and Camelia agreed despite having twenty-five years left on her First Mage Academy contract.
• Velin visited Tadius and offered to trade more than a thousand Gold-grade and over two hundred thousand Silver Rank Demon Soul Light Orbs.
• Velin asked Tadius to release Camelia so she could teach in his territory, and Tadius agreed as long as Camelia was willing.
• Velin returned to the Manor with the news, while the academy postponed the Orb transaction because it could not provide enough Magic Crystals at once.

Velin arranged for Xuemiyya to encourage Gabirila to accompany Zexia to Qixing Territory, hoping to recruit her father, Osmond O'Neal, as a guest mage. He told Zelia that Qixing Territory needed him now and prepared him to return, while Zelia asked whether Velin would oppose Gabirila coming with him.

• Velin told Xuemiyya that Zexia was preparing to return to Qixing Territory and asked her to pass the message to Gabirila.
• Gabirila insisted on going with Zexia when he approached Velin and Xuemiyya.
• Velin praised Zelia’s progress and asked whether he had any objections to returning to Qixing Territory.
• Velin promised to prepare the materials for Zelia’s advancement to Gold Mage and told him that Qixing Territory needed him.
• Zelia asked whether Velin would oppose him persuading Gabirila to come with him, and Velin said he would come for him in three days.

Velin returned to the military camp with Xuemiyya and met the red-haired boy Kyle had brought back, Cyrus, a Spirit of the Holy Flame. Kyle explained Cyrus’s origins and asked Velin to help cultivate him, leaving Velin realizing he had been tricked into taking responsibility.

• Velin learned that Kyle had returned to camp with a red-haired boy and asked him to come to the tent.
• Outside the tent, Kyle explained to the boy that Velin was busy, while the boy’s holy flame was absorbed by the collar around his neck.
• Kyle introduced the boy as Cyrus and explained that he had been born at Mid-Gold with the qualification to ascend to Legend, but Kyle had sealed his strength so he could cultivate and mature properly.
• Velin agreed that Kyle should raise Cyrus carefully and said Kyle must take responsibility for him.
• Kyle asked Velin to cultivate alongside Cyrus, and Xuemiyya laughed as Velin realized he had been caught off guard.

Velin asked Duke of Moravia to honor his remaining promise, and the Duke decided to contact Calix Silvis about Osmond Aurelius. After Gabriella explained Zelia’s situation to her father, Osmond was summoned by his teacher, who questioned him about his stalled progress toward Legend.

• Velin sent Miller with a letter to Duke of Moravia, tactfully reminding him of the remaining promise.
• Duke of Moravia decided to write to Calix Silvis and told Miller to have Velin collect his man at the First Mage Academy in three days.
• Gabriella told Osmond Aurelius what had happened with Zelia, and Osmond confined her in a secret chamber before leaving to meet his teacher.
• At Cassis Mage Tower, the young man asked Osmond how long he had been in the Soul Intent rank, and Osmond explained his advancement and two centuries without further progress.

Osmond agreed to leave the East Tower War Mage Tower and move with his family to Qixing Territory so he could stay near Velin and seek the fortune needed to advance. Velin returned to Kadlo Province with the Fifteenth Army, leaving the Provincial Capital with his troops as Zelia took in the western frontier.

• Osmond's teacher ordered him to spend ten years near the Child of Miracles, borrowing his fortune, and Osmond reluctantly accepted.
• Osmond told Gabriella that their family would move to Qixing Territory, Kadlo Province, for a few years.
• Velin arrived at the Fifteenth Army camp with Zelia and Gabirila, while Osmond learned of his destination from the king's order.
• More than fifteen thousand Fifteenth Army members returned to Kadlo Province through the Teleportation Array.
• Pikol Mosley welcomed Velin at the Teleportation Hall, and Velin left the Provincial Capital with his guards and troops.

Brian returned safely to Ridge Territory after the Expeditionary War and reunited with Eleanor and Rayat. After Velin delivered Brian’s enormous share of the spoils, he left with his troops for Qixing Territory.

• Eleanor and Rayat waited anxiously as Brian’s army approached Ridge Territory, and Brian rode ahead to embrace his wife and greet his son.
• Velin, Xuemiyya, and Kyle joined Brian’s family at Ridge Castle, where the six shared a meal and reminisced.
• Velin reminded Brian to clear the warehouse, and Brian sent Rayat to prepare the grain warehouse for the supplies.
• Kyle opened a passage to the Messier Demiplane and used a hundred Silver-rank avatars to move the mountain of spoils, astonishing Eleanor, Rayat, and Xuemiyya.
• Velin bid farewell to Brian and led his direct troops toward Qixing Territory.

Velin returned to Qixing Territory after ten years away and inspected the border defenses and prosperous Luensha County on the way. He reunited with Belder in Star Prayer City and promised his Chief Steward a gift, leaving its nature for the next day.

• Velin stopped at a Luensha County watchtower, where Gale Yi explained the border force and its five-story defenses.
• Velin learned that Gale Yi had stepped back from frontline service so his eldest son could join the Standing Army, and he encouraged the squad leader.
• Velin traveled through orderly, prosperous Luensha County and saw that military families paid half the usual taxes.
• Belder welcomed Velin outside Star Prayer City and planned to demand more capable people from Star Moon Fort.
• Velin embraced Belder and promised to reveal a gift at Star Moon Fort the next day before entering the city.

After returning to Star Moon Fort, Velin reviewed Qixing Territory’s ten-year development report and considered its uneven growth and future military expansion. Eunice returned as a Low-Gold mage and received Velin’s support to establish a magical herb cultivation center in Star Moon Fort.

• Velin reviewed the report, noting Qixing Territory’s expansion to eleven counties and the severe gap between its prosperous core counties and its poorer subordinate regions.
• Velin decided against moving established industries to poorer counties and resolved to grant exclusive titles to the Fourth and Fifth Battalions and expand the Standing Army with three more battalions.
• Eunice returned to Star Moon Fort and thanked Velin for sending her to study at March Academy.
• Eunice asked to establish a magical herb plant cultivation center in the Outer City District, and Velin approved about one hundred thousand Gold Coins in funding.
• Velin appointed Eunice as Star Moon Fort’s nature mage and authorized her to mobilize up to two hundred City Guard members.

After returning from his expedition, Velin rested at Star Moon Fort and prepared to give Belder a Machinery Core to ease his government workload. Belder accepted the gift and left the study with it, while Velin still faced a long list of duties.

• Velin slept through the afternoon, and Xuemiyya joined him that night after sending Hilda and Sisina away.
• The next morning, Xuemiyya reminded Velin that Belder would soon come to ask him for people, but Velin said Belder would not need to ask again.
• Velin considered his many pending tasks, including repairing the War Puppet Giant Beast, planning a Floating Ship, and organizing Qixing Territory.
• Belder complained that years of handling Qixing Territory’s affairs had kept him from home and turned some of his hair white.
• Velin activated the Machinery Core SDA-080 and had it introduce itself to Belder as a helper with government affairs.
• Belder eagerly accepted the Machinery Core and left the study with it, saving it from being turned into a toilet.

Velin visited O'dor to secure repairs for a War Puppet Giant Beast, but agreed to let his uncle decide when the work would be done and realized he had fallen into a scheme. Meanwhile, Kyle sorted the treasure and books in the Messier Demiplane as Velin returned to his study to wait.

• Velin visited O'dor's manor and waited for him by playing chess with Theo.
• O'dor and Velin chatted until Velin asked him to repair the War Puppet Giant Beast's missing energy core in exchange for studying it without dismantling it.
• O'dor agreed to repair the beast but gave no timeline, and Velin realized he had accepted his uncle's terms and been caught by his scheme.
• Kyle sorted the treasure in the Messier Demiplane, valued the Transcendent books at about 430 million Gold Coins, and set aside travel journals and biographies for Star Moon Fort.
• Velin went to Kyle's office, found it empty, and returned to his study to wait.

Velin reviewed the expedition’s gains, which totaled 32.3 billion Gold Coins, and began planning Qixing Territory’s administration and military appointments. Seven days later, hundreds of officials and commanders gathered at Star Moon Fort for the meeting he had called.

• Kyle brought Velin three reports detailing the value of supplies transferred to the Underground Treasury, Star Moon Fort Treasury, and ordinary stores.
• Velin calculated that the expedition had earned 32.3 billion Gold Coins and considered building a Floating City, but remembered his promise not to expand the Treasure Vault for several years.
• Velin ordered Kyle to summon military commanders, regional governors, academy leaders, and the person in charge of the Gray Fog Space to a meeting in seven days, while postponing matters concerning Zeferus Territory.
• Velin planned acting administrators and deputy governors for new counties, assigned Zelia and Zephirin to oversee two regions, and considered military roles for Adolf, Mike, and Miller.
• Seven days later, several hundred people gathered at Star Moon Fort and waited for Velin to arrive.

Velin held Qixing Territory’s first conference in ten years, rewarded those who had served during the expedition and the territory’s defense, and praised the growth they had achieved together. He then reassigned county administrators and gathered recommendations for staff, leaving Kyle’s records of the changes in hand.

• Velin presided over the conference as Kyle read out generous rewards for Hebrew, Devonshire, and the other contributors, totaling at least two hundred million Gold Coins.
• Velin recounted Qixing Territory’s growth over forty-three years and credited its achievements to the people present.
• Velin announced that Belder would oversee Luensha County and asked him to recommend a deputy; Belder put forward his secretary officer, Haidar.
• Velin assigned Andrew to temporarily administer Yilan County, then received suitable personnel recommendations from the other county administrators.

Velin appointed county deputies and began a three-year military expansion, while also addressing staffing and administrative changes in Qixing Territory. The chapter ended with Lester’s review party traveling to Qixing Territory to assess Velin’s promotion from Viscount.

• Velin appointed deputy governors for the counties and explained that he had other plans for Jiangtaen County.
• Velin announced the creation of three new army battalions, promoted Miller to command the Tenth Battalion, and left the Eleventh and Twelfth Battalion commander posts open.
• Velin decided to fill half the Lord’s Guard Team vacancies with nobles’ descendants and half with Knight Academy commoners, and ordered Mien recalled to serve as captain.
• Velin sent Lucas to study under Vice Dean Drien and postponed deciding how to handle Jiangtaen County until after his promotion to Count.
• Lester and his party set out for Qixing Territory to review Velin’s promotion, reflecting on how much the highway had changed since their earlier visits.

Velin learned that the royal capital’s Inspection Troops had arrived in Star Prayer City and went to greet Lester, an old acquaintance. Before leaving, Kyle taught Cyrus a lesson about vigilance by defeating him with a stronger faceless clone.

• Belder sent word to Velin that the Inspection Troops had arrived in Star Prayer City, and Velin told Hilda to summon Kyle to the east gate.
• Kyle caught Cyrus trying to leave the Manor and challenged him to defeat a faceless clone for permission to go play.
• The clone raised its strength to Gold rank and drained Cyrus’s mana, so Kyle reduced his punishment to copying the angelic characters five times after teaching him to think carefully.
• Kyle met Velin at the East City Gate, and they flew to Star Prayer City.
• Velin greeted Lester at the City Lord’s Mansion, where Lester noted that thirty-five years had passed since they last met.

Velin met with Lester and arranged the Qixing Territory inspection while keeping its important sites concealed. Later, Velin reunited with Aljettah, who invited him to visit the Sea-Sky Ice Abyss.

• Velin urged Lester to drop formalities, then agreed to let him inspect the ordinary areas of Qixing Territory while hiding its important sites.
• Velin told Belder to learn what he could from Lester and arrange a parting gift for him.
• Velin learned that Brian would soon be promoted to Viscount and sent Belder and Hebrew to attend in his place with a gift.
• Velin visited the Adventurer's Tavern and reunited with Aljettah and Laxia after ten years apart.
• Velin promised Aljettah three hundred thousand Gold Coins as a belated wedding gift.
• Aljettah asked Velin whether he wanted to visit the Sea-Sky Ice Abyss, where a successful trial could bring a blessing and an alliance with an Ice Element Elder.

Velin agreed to ask Aljerta’s father about visiting the Extreme Cold Ice Plains and bringing companions, then explored Star Prayer City with Kyle. Meanwhile, Lester completed his inspection of the Qixing Territory and departed, while Leya advised her nephew to learn from his experience.

• Aljerta told Velin the Extreme Cold Ice Plains would be accessible in five years and offered to ask his father about the timing and Velin’s companions.
• Velin accepted the invitation, and Aljerta and Laxia discussed Velin’s rapid growth, dragon longevity, and having eggs.
• Velin and Kyle explored Star Prayer City, where Velin reminisced about Windsor Castle and spent the evening sampling local food.
• After fifteen days touring the Qixing Territory, Lester left with his subordinates and the gifts Belder had given him.
• Leya told her nephew to judge each peerage review individually and learn from Captain Lester’s skill and experience.

Velin received the king’s order that he would be elevated to count on January 1, 9764, and began planning a new festival for Qixing Territory. Meanwhile, Xuemiyya punished Camelia for neglecting her studies and ordered her to attend regular lessons.

• Velin read the king’s order announcing his elevation to count and asked Hilda to invite Belder.
• Velin overheard Xuemiyya scolding Camelia for her slow magical progress and watched her strike Camelia’s palms fifty times with a Pointer.
• Xuemiyya ordered Camelia to visit her on seven dates each month and gave her a Gold-grade Spell to study before their next lesson.
• Velin saw Kyle teaching Cyrus, then returned to his study and asked Belder about Qixing Territory’s existing festivals.
• Velin told Belder he planned to establish a third festival to mark his elevation, and Belder considered possible names.

Velin traveled to the Royal Capital for a peerage ceremony, where Angus challenged him to a duel. The king and a crowd of powerful figures gathered to watch as Velin and Angus stepped onto the protected arena.

• Velin approved Miracle Day as a holiday and gave Belder further instructions for Qixing Territory.
• Velin traveled with Xuemiyya and Kyle to the Royal Capital, where Angus challenged him to test his combat abilities.
• Kyle requested a training ground, and Belgrave ordered that Training Ground One be opened for the duel.
• News of the duel drew powerful figures from across the Royal Capital, who debated whether Angus or Velin would win.
• Belgrave arrived and learned from Saintess Anastasia that Pope Idamian was away for two years.
• Velin and Angus entered the raised platform as the Magic Shield reinforced the arena.

Velin fought Angus in a duel, first using the Life Knight and Death Knight before overwhelming him with a giant Kirin made from vines. After Angus accepted his defeat and joked about retirement, the spectators congratulated them, while Italia decided Krell needed a strict training plan.

• Velin summoned the Life Knight and Death Knight, and they attacked Angus from both sides as he fought back with Battle Qi armor and his weapon.
• As the knights' coordinated attacks wore Angus down, Velin recalled them and used Giant Tree—Beast Form—Kirin to sweep Angus out of the Training Ground.
• Velin apologized to Angus, who praised his son's strength and said he might retire soon.
• Duke Moravia, Elisa, and the others watched the duel, while the Gold Transcendents anticipated difficult months ahead.
• Italia told Krell that she would arrange an intensive training plan for him and have Isolde take over his duties.

Velin and Xuemiyya discussed the Ex Family’s succession customs and the hidden motives behind Eldest Brother’s possible inheritance of the title. They ended the night together, with Xuemiyya wondering whether Velin would put family interests first as Father did.

• Xuemiyya dismissed the maids and set protective restrictions before asking Velin what it had felt like to fight Father.
• Velin said Father had made little progress and joked that Grandfather should pressure him, then explained that Eldest Brother might delay inheriting as Father once had.
• Velin described the Ex Family’s succession oath and the rules governing the family head, branch leaders, and their heirs.
• Velin told Xuemiyya that Eldest Brother wanted to reform the family but might choose to become Eagle Marquis voluntarily to avoid conflict.
• Xuemiyya asked whether Velin would prioritize family interests like Father, and Velin ended the discussion before they went to sleep.

At the Life Church, Angus was invested as the Eagle Marquis, and Velin’s Count investiture was interrupted by the Goddess of Life appearing in person. She crowned Velin as her devout believer, and his third Soul Skill formed, completing the initial tier of Soul Intent.

• Angus passed the Goddess’s Alignment Check and received the Marquis title and Yilan Flower emblem from King Belgrav Silvis.
• Saintess Anastasia baptized Angus and placed a wreath on his head before he was greeted as the Eagle Marquis.
• After more than two hours of Count investitures, Velin entered the temple and worshipped the statue of the Goddess of Life.
• The Goddess appeared, called Velin her most devout believer, and placed a Yilan Flower wreath on his head.
• Velin answered the Goddess, and his third Soul Skill formed, completing the initial tier of Soul Intent.