Recaps

Velin visited Kyle to compare their Merit Points and learned that Kyle had recruited 113 Twenty-fifth Legion soldiers for Qixing Territory. Kyle explained that Velin’s reputation and past actions had persuaded the officers to follow him, and Velin accepted that people would keep misunderstanding his motives.

• Velin read that he had earned 87,293 Merit Points and went to the Twenty-fifth Legion to ask about Kyle’s tally.
• Kyle welcomed Velin and let him read his tally of 7,096 Merit Points, then praised Velin when asked about Velin’s score.
• Velin asked how many soldiers Kyle had recruited for Qixing Territory, and Kyle said he had persuaded 113 so far.
• Kyle explained that Velin’s pensions, distribution of war spoils, ransom payments, strength, and God-Thief battle had helped convince the officers to leave their homeland.
• Velin realized that his actions had shaped others’ view of him and decided to let them misunderstand him.

Velin teased Xuemiyya, escaped her Illusionary Realm, and continued inspecting the defenses before the Ninth Legion withdrew from the Kamo Tribe Territory. Back at Kixilin Main Camp, he received a Command Department document about an appointment and asked how Bishop Selina had evaluated his performance.

• Velin visited Xuemiyya, but she trapped him in an Illusionary Realm; he escaped after pretending to have had a childhood sweetheart.
• Velin inspected Lekaya City of War as the Ninth Legion prepared to withdraw from the Kamo Tribe Territory.
• Velin and Leonas retrieved the City of War, and Velin ordered the withdrawal toward the Kingdom of Belfas.
• The Ninth Legion completed its rotation with the Black Asia Orc Northern Army on September 8, and Velin returned to Kixilin Main Camp.
• Leonas gave Velin a Command Department document about an appointment, and Velin asked whether Bishop Selina had evaluated him well.

Velin and Leonas traveled to Yason City for the inspection of the Ninth Legion, and Velin explored the Floating City before encountering a confrontation involving a blond man and a blue-haired woman. The woman demanded that the man return with her, while Velin watched from the crowd.

• Velin learned that Bishop Selena’s assessment of him was accurate and asked Leonas to accompany him to the inspection.
• Velin told Leonas to inspect another batch of supposedly damaged items, then reflected that he would soon step down as marshal of the Ninth Legion.
• Seven days later, Velin and Leonas boarded a Floating Ship to Yason City, where marshals from all eighteen legions had gathered.
• Two Temple Knights welcomed Velin and Leonas, then guided them around the prosperous Floating City.
• Velin followed a crowd to watch a blond man reject the Blue-haired Woman’s demand that he return with her.

Velin became caught up in a dispute between Gavin and Donaya after Gavin asked him for protection, and he set Donaya a test to determine whether she could take Gavin away. As they traveled to the Central Tower, Velin asked Leonas how to handle the Sevens and Cavendi Families if they made trouble for him.

• Gavin refused to return with Donaya, who ordered her four Low-Gold Swordswomen to surround him.
• Gavin recognized Velin as the Eternal Dawn Knight, rushed toward him, and knelt to ask whether Velin needed a Guard Knight.
• Donaya recognized Velin and asked him to hand Gavin over; Velin proposed that she could take Gavin if she passed a test, but would have to let him go if she failed.
• Velin led Donaya, Gavin, and his companions toward the Central Tower in magical flying carriages.
• Velin asked Leonas how to respond if the Sevens and Cavendi Families joined forces against him, and Leonas said thousands of Inquisitor Knights would greet them.

Velin brought the golden-haired man and the Blue-haired Woman to a garden in the central tower and began their trial in an illusory realm. The trial opened with a Golden-haired Boy returning home after being beaten by debt collectors, where he found a sick blue-haired girl trying to rise from bed.

• Velin and Leonas arrived at the central tower with their group and entered a magically expanded garden.
• Leonas ordered the Temple Knights to prevent distorted accounts of the street incident from spreading.
• Velin asked the golden-haired man and the Blue-haired Woman if they were ready, then sent them into Reincarnation—Fabrication and sealed their memories except for their familiarity with each other.
• Leonas agreed to watch the trial in person.
• In the illusion, three men beat the Golden-haired Boy and warned him that he had three days to repay his debt or be sent to a mage's laboratory.
• The Golden-haired Boy returned home with Black Bread, washed the blood from his face, and helped the coughing blue-haired girl as she tried to get out of bed.

Velin and Leonas ran an illusion trial in which Jiawen, later known as Gavin, became a famed archer while searching for his missing sister, Donaya. Framed for crimes and hunted by his homeland, Gavin suspected a mastermind was behind his hardships and fled deeper into a cave as pursuers closed in.

• Jiawen comforted his ill sister Donaya, then took his bow and prepared to join Baron Karn’s dangerous trial mission to provide for her.
• Velin and Leonas accelerated the illusion after the bow glowed, testing whether a knight could use archery learned inside an illusion in the real world.
• Gavin awakened the bow during the trial, saved the Baron’s son, and returned home to find his house ruined and Donaya missing; he then killed the Black Rat Gang and entered Baron Karn’s service to search for her.
• Gavin rose to fame through feats of archery, but in 150 of the New Moon Calendar he was accused of desecrating the Saintess and coercing the princess, making the kingdom and Church of Light hunt him.
• After killing three Silver Mid-Tier assassins, Gavin hid in a cave and wondered whether a mastermind had caused Donaya’s disappearance and his troubles; when pursuers approached, he headed deeper inside.

Gavin discovered the ruins of the Jade Tree Kingdom and cultivated its Radiant Sun Breathing Technique, breaking through the shackles that had kept him from High-Gold. Velin observed his progress, increased the danger awaiting him in the illusion, and then joined Leonas to attend a report with the Legion Marshals.

• Gavin found an underground palace and discovered a skeleton holding a black-covered book amid the scattered weapons and armor of royal guards.
• The dead king’s phantom told Gavin he was his descendant, gave him the Radiant Sun Breathing Technique, and charged him with restoring the Jade Tree Kingdom.
• Gavin ignored the kingdom’s restoration, took a Knight Sword and the book, then cultivated the technique until he could advance toward Soul Intent.
• Gavin vowed to find his sister and uncover and kill the mastermind behind the world, prompting Velin to make the illusion more dangerous.
• Velin and Leonas left the illusion to begin their report, and Velin later sent an observer into it to record Gavin’s cultivation.
• Velin and Leonas entered the central tower’s core hall and took their seats among the Legion Marshals, who observed Velin.

The Human Allied Forces Command Department held its final high-level duty-report meeting after the Church and the Black Asia Orcs agreed to a ceasefire. The legion marshals reported their battles and losses, and Archbishop Cyrus began to announce the Pope’s decree.

• Archbishop Cyrus recited the war’s casualties and confirmed the ceasefire between the Church and the Black Asia Orcs.
• Luminar Theodore reported the First Legion’s extensive battles and heavy losses on the southern battlefield.
• Velin reported the Ninth Legion’s northern campaign, including its casualties and its bloodiest battle at Darrow.
• Seraphina and the other legion marshals delivered their reports, revealing the varying losses across the legions.
• Cyrus and Gerard rose as Cyrus began announcing a decree from the Pope.

After the war’s final debriefing, Velin arranged to meet Yalinauron Belfas at Night Dew Garden, where they discussed their acquaintances and trade. The chapter ends as Velin steered their conversation toward Krell.

• The commanders received orders to end their service on November 11, 9778, return or disband their units, and redeem their merits and Transcendent resources.
• Velin asked Leonas to invite Seraphina, claiming he wanted to exchange military-command experience with her.
• Velin went to meet Yalinauron Belfas, hoping to strengthen trade and ask about Krell.
• Velin and Yalinauron traveled to Night Dew Garden and spoke privately on a viewing platform.
• Yalinauron cautiously answered Velin’s question about Calista, then joked about the female knight he had given Velin; Velin said he had made her his wife’s maid.
• After several cups of wine, Velin turned the conversation toward Krell.

Velin and Yalin Olon discussed Krell’s disappointment over his Merit Points and agreed to meet in Qixing Territory within ten years. Their private gathering was interrupted when Young Master Onis demanded Viewing Platform No. 3 from Madam Siville, leading Velin and Yalin Olon to watch the confrontation.

• Yalin Olon told Velin that Krell had grown dispirited after receiving fewer Merit Points than he had hoped, and Velin agreed to keep an eye on him.
• Velin invited Yalin Olon to visit Qixing Territory after the war, and they agreed to meet within ten years before discussing military command until sunset.
• Onis demanded Viewing Platform No. 3 and ordered a servant to summon Madam Siville, while Velin and Yalin Olon chose to stay and watch.
• Yalin Olon told Velin that Madam Siville was Silvie Arkaus Raycroft, a relative by marriage of Great Priest Cyrus with connections to Seraphina and properties in Yason Province.
• Madam Silvie explained that an honored guest had requested Viewing Platform No. 3, and Onis challenged her by asking whether any guest could be more honored than him.

Onis tried to force the occupants of Viewing Platform No. 3 to leave, but Velin and Yalin Olon stopped him and Yalin attacked him. Lady Morwenna intervened and fought Yalin instead, while Temple Knights arrived at Night Dew Garden and recognized the people in the viewing platform.

• Siville told Onis that she could not ask the distinguished guests to leave Viewing Platform No. 3, so he would have to negotiate with them himself.
• Velin restrained Onis at the entrance, then invited Yalin Olon to stretch his legs; Yalin agreed and released Onis to provoke a fight.
• Onis drew his Knight Sword and unleashed icy magic, but Yalin seized him and hurled him into the sky.
• Lady Morwenna appeared, rescued Onis, and asked Yalin to end the matter, but Yalin refused and agreed to fight her instead.
• Velin dispelled the ice around Viewing Platform No. 3, while the shaken Onis received comfort from the silver-haired woman beside him.
• Two Soul Intent High-level Temple Knights arrived and froze in terror after seeing who sat inside Viewing Platform No. 3.

Velin revealed himself as the Eternal Dawn Knight, stopped the confrontation at Night Dew Garden, and arranged to meet Onis Kronos’s father. He then questioned Siville about Marshal Seraphina and Paladin Leonas while Cyrus and Gerard watched from Asun Floating City.

• Two Temple Knights recognized Velin as the Eternal Dawn Knight, and Onis Kronos knelt to beg his forgiveness.
• Velin asked the Temple Knights to summon Lord Kronos for a private meeting and had Siville close Night Dew Garden to the public.
• Velin invited Siville and a Temple Knight to sit with him, then asked what she would call Leonas if Seraphina married him.
• Cyrus and Gerard watched Velin’s conversation through a projection and discussed Seraphina’s rumored relationship with Leonas.
• Gerard recalled his past inspection of the Holy Shia Beastman Kingdom and the Ilroge Organization, but Cyrus ended the discussion.

Archbishop Cyrus and Archbishop Gerard speculated about how Velin would deal with Kronos, while teasing each other about their families. Kronos learned that the Eternal Dawn Knight wanted to meet him at Night Dew Garden, likely about Onis, and his teacher accompanied him.

• Archbishop Cyrus and Archbishop Gerard discussed what Kronos might pay to settle matters with Velin and joked about their children and disciples.
• Kronos walked with his former teacher, who urged him to stop calling him that, but Kronos insisted he owed him his success.
• Kronos told his teacher that he had agreed to guard the New World for five hundred years in exchange for a Saint healing Onis's flawed soul.
• A Temple Knight summoned Kronos to meet the Eternal Dawn Knight at Night Dew Garden.
• Kronos suspected the summons concerned Onis, and his teacher flew with him to the garden.

Velin met Kainasis and Kronos after Kronos restrained his anger over Onis kneeling and came to resolve his son’s offense. Velin chose not to pursue the matter, and Kronos had Onis call Velin “Uncle,” leaving Velin with an older bargain nephew.

• Velin asked Verandir about his past, and Verandir began telling his story while Siville listened.
• Kainasis restrained Kronos from acting in anger over Onis, then advised him to apologize and leave the matter to him.
• Kainasis and Kronos met Velin, heard what had happened, and Kainasis asked Velin what compensation he wanted.
• Velin declined to pursue the offense and asked Kronos to teach Onis properly.
• Kronos brought Onis to Velin and told him to call Velin Uncle; Velin gave Onis a bottle of Purple Condensation Gel as a first-meeting gift.

At Night Dew Garden, Velin and Kainasis learned that Kronos had two unofficial spouses, while Kronos ended Yalin Olon and Morwenna’s long battle and introduced Morwenna to Velin. After Velin departed with Yalin Olon, Kronos and Kainasis returned to Dawn Grand Cathedral, and Velin asked Yalin Olon how the battle had felt.

• Kronos told Velin that he had three spouses by his side and two other partners without official status, prompting the archbishops to order an investigation.
• Kainasis asked Kronos to stop Yalin Olon and the purple-haired woman’s evenly matched battle, and Kronos flew up to end it.
• Onis told Velin and Kainasis that his father’s two other spouses visited in April, then paid Velin’s expenses at Night Dew Garden.
• Kronos returned with Yalin Olon and his wife, Morwenna, whom he introduced to Velin before Velin left with Yalin Olon.
• Kronos let Onis memorize books instead of copying them, then returned with Kainasis to Dawn Grand Cathedral.
• Velin and Yalin Olon entered the Central Tower, where Velin asked how the battle had felt.

Velin told Yalin Olon that everyone was the protagonist of their own life, prompting Yalin Olon to reconsider his ambitions and Velin’s place in his story. Velin then met with Seraphina to discuss commanding armies, while Leonas entered the illusion and learned that its unified world’s protagonist was about to challenge him as the mastermind.

• Yalin Olon described the formidable woman he had fought and discussed Kronos’s legendary rise with Velin.
• Velin told Yalin Olon, “We are all the protagonists of our own lives,” and Yalin Olon wondered what he was pursuing and what role Velin played in his life.
• Velin returned to the garden, where Leonas and Seraphina sensed his approach and prepared to greet him.
• Velin and Seraphina discussed large-scale legion warfare through the night, while Leonas left for the building behind the garden.
• Leonas entered the illusion and learned that two hundred years had passed, the world had been unified, and its protagonist was about to challenge him as the mastermind behind the scenes.

Gavin led a million-strong army through a World Gate to fight the forces beyond his world, but Leonas accidentally destroyed the Illusionary Realm World before Gavin could face him. Back in reality, Velin learned the realm’s ending and went with Seraphina to see what would happen as the illusion reflected reality.

• Gavin prepared to invade the world beyond the Illusionary Realm World to protect Donaya from the mastermind.
• Gavin and Donaya pledged their love and promised to marry after the battle, while his wooden bow crumbled away.
• Gavin rallied the million-strong army to fight the forces pouring through the rift, and several Paladins were weakened in battle.
• Leonas entered the Illusionary Realm World, but his arrival accidentally erased it before he could fight Gavin.
• Velin sensed the realm’s end and learned the improved Radiant Sun Breathing Technique, then went with Seraphina to watch what happened next.
• Leonas wondered which sibling would call the other first when the illusion reflected reality, and Velin and Seraphina caught him smiling.

Velin, Leonas, and Seraphina watched Gavin and Donaya awaken from an illusion and reunite as siblings, while Velin discovered that Reincarnation—Void could alter perceptions. Gavin chose to return with Donaya, and the three observers entered the room to discuss business.

• Leonas and Seraphina left the room as Gavin and Donaya began to awaken, while Velin hid a Memory Crystal Orb inside a pillar.
• Leonas projected the room’s scene with a Magical Device, and Gavin crawled to Donaya and held her after remembering her final words in the illusion.
• Donaya woke and kissed Gavin, and Velin realized Reincarnation—Void could alter perceptions as well as test Transcendent knowledge.
• Donaya offered to leave her family or travel with Gavin, and Gavin chose to return with her and stay by her side.
• Velin approved of their decision, and he, Leonas, and Seraphina went into the room to get down to business.

Velin settled Jiawen’s punishment by assigning him to serve as Leonas’s guard for ten years, then blessed Jiawen and Donaya’s love. After giving Leonas and Seraphina three days alone, Velin returned with Leonas to the Ninth Legion’s garrison to enjoy his remaining time off.

• Jiawen and Donaya each tried to take responsibility for badmouthing Velin during the trial, but Velin assigned Jiawen to serve as Leonas’s guard for ten years instead of punishing him.
• Velin blessed Jiawen and Donaya’s love, and they left with the four Swordswomen.
• Velin offered to create an illusionary trial for Leonas and Seraphina, but Leonas carried Seraphina away before she could agree.
• Velin rested in Cecilia’s Demiplane and decided to give Leonas and Seraphina three days alone together.
• Three days later, Velin and Leonas returned to Kixilin Main Camp, where Velin continued enjoying his remaining leisurely days.

On his final inspection before the Ninth Legion’s disbandment, Velin visited the assembled troops and used Healing—Life to restore soldiers who had lost limbs. After inspecting the Twenty-sixth Legion and the Floating Fleet, he returned to headquarters and ordered the guards to relax.

• Velin wore his ceremonial marshal’s uniform for the last time as Xuemiyya helped dress him and joined him for his final inspection of Kixilin Main Camp.
• At the Twenty-fifth Legion’s encampment, Kyle presented 55,967 assembled soldiers to Velin, who spoke with the one-armed soldier Marcus about his hopes after the war.
• Velin used Healing—Life to regrow the limbs of more than twelve thousand soldiers, drawing on a World Origin Crystal to sustain the skill.
• Velin told Kyle to begin a lively three-day farewell banquet for the soldiers before they left.
• Velin inspected the Twenty-sixth Legion and healed its wounded, then returned from inspecting the Floating Fleet and ordered the headquarters guards to relax.

After demobilizing the remaining troops, Velin departed Kixilin Main Camp aboard the Sandora Floating Battleship with more than three hundred followers. He arrived at Yulali City in Shuguang Province, where the Church had arranged a residence for him.

• Velin finished archiving the unit records, sent off Kyle and Gadonf to oversee the last demobilizations, and reflected on his six years at the camp.
• Over five days, the Twenty-Fifth and Twenty-Sixth Legions and more than thirty thousand Auxiliary Soldiers left for home under the Church's post-war demobilization rules.
• Velin brought the Sandora Floating Battleship out of his Demiplane, greeted its Ship Spirit, Sandora, and boarded with more than three hundred followers.
• Leonas identified the battleship as likely originating from the Kavon Magic Kingdom, and Velin told him to meet him in Shuguang Province as his guide.
• Sandora carried Velin and his followers across six provinces to Yulali City, where Velin chose to go first to the residence prepared by the Church.

Velin returned to Stardust Manor in the capital with Xuemiyya and his subordinates, received a Holy Seal Ring from the Pope, and spent seven days in playful illusions with his wife. He then went to the Holy Merit Sanctuary to exchange Merit Points for treasures, where he read about the Dawn Register.

• Velin arrived at Stardust Manor, chose to stay there, and was welcomed by Head Maid Morgana as his subordinates settled into the manor’s courtyards.
• A Low-tier Soul Intent Temple Knight gave Velin a Holy Seal Ring that let him mobilize the power of every Church in the capital except the Inquisition.
• Velin and Xuemiyya entered each other’s illusions, spending the following days acting out tales of knights before Velin finally emerged seven days later.
• Velin went to the Holy Merit Sanctuary to exchange his Merit Points for treasures unavailable in Yason Province and read about the Pure White Obelisk, also called the Dawn Register.

Velin and his companions visited the Holy Merit Sanctuary after viewing the obelisk of Legendary Experts. When the exchange counters proved crowded, Velin used his Holy Seal Ring to arrange an official inspection with High Priest Leona, allowing him to handle his business without a fast track.

• Velin read the obelisk’s inscriptions and learned how its names recorded Legendary Experts and their fates, but he did not find Gerrard’s name.
• Velin led Xuemiyya, Kyle, and Lyanna through the Gate of Splendor into the crowded Holy Merit Hall.
• Velin approached Knight Commander Atheron Recroft and showed him the Holy Seal Ring while asking about a fast track.
• Atheron explained that no fast track existed but offered an official inspection with High Priest Leona as a way to handle personal matters.
• Velin asked Atheron to take him to High Priest Leona, and his companions followed.

Velin visited the Holy Merit Sanctuary to exchange the Merit Points he earned during the expeditionary campaign. After revealing his identity as the Eternal Dawn Knight, he gained High Priest Leona’s assistance and began choosing supplies with a balance that stunned the guards.

• Atheron brought Velin and his companions to High Priest Leona, and the guards admitted them after he mentioned Velin’s Holy Seal Ring.
• Leona asked Velin to reveal his appearance, then recognized him as the Eternal Dawn Knight and offered to help with his private matter.
• Leona closed the ninth exchange window to the public and led Velin, Xuemiyya, and Atheron to its sealed room.
• Velin handed over the crystal ball recording his Merit Points, and the screen showed he had 87,293 points.
• A nun presented Velin with the catalog of Transcendent supplies, and he began selecting what to exchange for.

Velin browsed the Church of Dawn’s classified Treasure Vault catalog and spent all his Merit Points selecting Transcendent Resources, including twelve Moon Shepherd - Type II Floating Airships. After completing the special inspection, he returned to Stardust Manor and waited for Leonas to arrive so he could fulfill their agreement and return to Qixing Territory.

• Velin asked Bishop Leona for permission to browse the Treasure Vault and searched its catalog for battleships.
• Velin compared the Star Radiance - Type III with his Star Moon Floating Airship and assessed the value of each.
• Velin chose twelve Moon Shepherd - Type II Floating Airships, and Leona recorded the exchange.
• Velin continued spending his remaining Merit Points, then signaled Kyle to proceed with the inspection’s conclusion.
• Leona submitted Velin’s completed exchange form through a Magic Array, and Velin returned to Stardust Manor as night approached.