Chapter Summaries

Chapter Summary: “Withering Song Marauder Fleet”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Islington Astral Sea Port prepares for a possible attack from an approaching starfleet. Its shipping routes are closed, ancient defensive arrays are reactivated, and a local fleet is deployed.
• Ancient Emberfire Astral Sea Port initially sends negotiators under the protection of a Kingdom Legendary, fearing the unknown fleet may be hostile.
• The leaders gathered in Islington’s Central Mage Tower worry about the port’s chances. Nelius and Lavian estimate that the port could withstand a full assault for only about half an hour.
• The mysterious starfleet lowers its ragged battle flags and raises the emblem of the Church of Life, revealing that it is not an enemy force but the Church’s former marauder fleet.
• Ancient Emberfire immediately lifts its alert, recalls its initial negotiation party, and sends a much larger diplomatic delegation to greet the fleet.
• The fleet’s commander, Archbishop Eolena, announces that she wishes to meet the Moon Knight. A kilometer-class Floating Battleship is dispatched toward Islington Astral Sea Port.
• The chapter reveals that the Withering Song Marauder Fleet will be disbanded. Its 13.75 million members will be given new identities and reintegrated under the Church of Life.
• Nelius leaves the conference room to receive Eolena and her envoys.

Character Developments

• Nelius and Lavian remain outwardly composed but are deeply alarmed by the fleet’s power, recognizing that Islington cannot survive a prolonged assault.
• Undine is reassured by the Moon Knight’s calm presence and trusts that his reputation will deter the fleet from attacking.
• Velin initially fears that the descendants of the God of Dreams have brought the fleet to destroy him and the starport. His concern highlights his vulnerability in the face of such overwhelming military strength.
• Kyle correctly guesses the fleet’s affiliation before its identity is revealed, reinforcing his perceptiveness and composure.
• Celeste, Duke Moravia, and Karix remain relaxed because they understand more about the situation than the others.
• Eolena, the fleet’s silver-haired commander, is introduced as an experienced Continental Legend who has spent six centuries leading the fleet through brutal campaigns. Her nostalgia suggests mixed feelings about the fleet’s impending end.
• Vinya, Eolena’s subordinate, obeys her orders and helps present her as a formal representative of the Church of Life.

Significant Themes

• Fear of the unknown: The starports react defensively because they cannot identify the approaching fleet, showing how quickly uncertainty becomes a military crisis.
• Power and deterrence: The Moon Knight’s presence alone helps calm Undine and discourages others from attacking, emphasizing the political value of individual power.
• Redemption and transformation: The marauder fleet’s conversion from raiders into legitimate servants of the Church of Life suggests an attempt to abandon its violent past.
• The cost of conquest: Eolena’s memories reveal the immense death and destruction caused by the fleet’s campaigns, including the destruction of entire worlds and the deaths of billions.
• Mortality and the passage of time: Generations of ordinary soldiers have died and been replaced during the fleet’s six-hundred-year absence, while only the strongest and longest-lived members remain.
• Endings and new identities: The fleet’s dissolution marks the end of an era, forcing its members to abandon their former identities and begin anew.

Character Interactions

• Undine silently gauges the Moon Knight’s reaction and gains confidence from his calmness.
• The various figures in the conference room respond differently to the crisis, revealing their levels of knowledge, fear, and trust.
• Eolena instructs Vinya to request a meeting with the Moon Knight, establishing him as the fleet’s primary reason for coming to Islington.
• Nelius receives Undine’s permission to meet the arriving envoys and becomes the starport’s first official contact with Eolena’s delegation.

Chapter Summary: Eolena

Key Plot Points and Events

• At Eolena Port, Nelius oversees a heavily secured arrival by two kilometer-class Floating Battleships carrying a delegation from the Church of Life.
• A Sub-Legendary Life Priest presents Nelius with a visiting card from Archbishop Eolena, requesting a meeting with the Moon Knight, Velin. Velin agrees to meet her the following morning.
• The port prepares an elaborate, secured route from the Third Docking Zone to the Central Mage Tower.
• The next day, a large fleet of thirty-six kilometer-class Floating Battleships arrives, carrying Archbishop Eolena and her forces.
• Eolena is escorted through the elven-style residential district to the Central Mage Tower, where Velin, Undine, Kyle, Celeste, and a Moon Elf await her.
• After formal greetings, both parties meet privately. Eolena explains that her fleet will remain nearby to help defend the Star Gate being constructed at Islington Astral Sea Port.
• She clarifies that the Church of Life intends only to assist temporarily, withdrawing once Velin’s forces can independently defend the Star Gate.
• Eolena also offers to help Velin negotiate with Ancient Emberfire Astral Sea Port, controlled by the Silvarecis Empire, to prevent future conflicts over interests.

Character Developments

• Velin recognizes Eolena’s value as a powerful military leader and considers her a potential general for his future Starfleet. However, he understands that recruiting her would be nearly impossible because of her loyalty and position within the Church of Life.
• Eolena is introduced as a formidable mid-stage Continental Legend, known as the Flame War Princess. Despite her disciplined and cold exterior, she struggles with destructive instincts developed during centuries as a bandit.
• Nelius demonstrates his role as a trusted administrator by handling the delegation respectfully, seeking Velin’s instructions, and organizing the port’s security and reception.
• Undine continues to act as an intermediary and advisor during diplomatic matters, immediately involving Velin in the decision-making process.
• Lavian displays careful diplomatic etiquette while escorting Eolena and her attendants, especially when dealing with Eolena’s cold personality.

Significant Themes

• Diplomacy and strategic cooperation: The Church of Life’s arrival is presented as a political and military alliance rather than a simple courtesy visit.
• Power and independence: Eolena’s offer is conditional; the Church of Life will help defend the Star Gate but expects Velin’s side eventually to become self-sufficient.
• Military strength and recruitment: Velin’s interest in Eolena highlights the importance of capable commanders as his influence and fleet expand.
• Civilization versus destruction: Eolena’s conflicted reaction to Islington’s harmonious, elven-inspired architecture reflects her violent past and the difficulty of abandoning destructive instincts.
• Competing interests: The looming need to negotiate with the Silvarecis Empire suggests future tensions surrounding control, access, and influence over the Star Gate.

Character Interactions

• Nelius and the Life Priest: They exchange formal courtesies, with Nelius accepting the visiting card and promising to consult Velin.
• Nelius, Undine, and Velin: Nelius reports the Church of Life’s request, while Undine passes the decision to Velin, who sets the meeting time.
• Eolena and Lavian: Lavian offers a respectful welcome and escort, while Eolena’s attendant apologizes for her cold temperament.
• Eolena and Velin: Their first meeting is formally respectful but strategically important. Velin probes whether Eolena’s forces will merely defend the Star Gate, and Eolena clearly defines the limits of her support.
• Velin and his advisers: Undine, Kyle, and Celeste join him in receiving Eolena, emphasizing that the meeting concerns the broader leadership and security of Islington Astral Sea Port.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Archbishop Eolena reveals that she is publicly operating under the identity of the Seventh Fleet of Anaris Astral Sea Port.
• Islington Astral Sea Port and the Moon Elf Kingdom formally welcome Eolena and promise to:
  • Prepare a temporary base for the Seventh Fleet within three days.
  • Build a permanent military astral port within ten years, covering all expenses.
• Velin hosts Eolena at lunch, using the banquet to strengthen relations between the two sides.
• After Eolena departs, the group organizes its diplomatic delegation for negotiations with

Ancient Emberfire Astral Sea Port

• Velin: chief envoy
• Undine: deputy envoy and primary negotiator
• Nelius: secretary and treaty recorder
• Kyle: adviser
• Celeste: legal officer
• Eolena: assisting Undine in negotiations
• Velin clarifies that he will oversee the negotiations but expects Undine and Eolena to handle most of the detailed discussions.
• Celeste agrees to study the laws and taboos of the Silvarecis Empire, though Velin doubts his legal knowledge.
• After the meeting, Velin leaves, while Kyle agrees to teach Celeste about imperial laws during a chess game.
• Meanwhile, at Ancient Emberfire Astral Sea Port, Governor Larutis Rolf meets with six Kingdom Legendaries to learn about Islington Astral Sea Port and its newly revealed fleet.
• Larutis receives a message from Governor Lotius Brunn mentioning Velin. Rather than fearing him, she becomes excited at the prospect of testing her strength against him.

Character Developments

• Velin takes on a formal leadership role as chief envoy, though he intends to rely on Undine and Eolena for the actual diplomatic work. His teasing of Celeste also reveals a familiar, somewhat playful relationship with him.
• Undine demonstrates authority and diplomatic competence by arranging military support for Eolena and assuming responsibility for negotiations.
• Eolena becomes more closely integrated into Islington’s political and military plans, showing willingness to cooperate with Undine and the Moon Elf Kingdom.
• Celeste accepts the legal officer role despite lacking legal expertise, relying instead on intimidation and personal strength. He reluctantly agrees to study the Empire’s laws.
• Kyle shows patience and helpfulness by agreeing to educate Celeste while also using their lessons as an opportunity to play chess.
• Larutis Rolf is characterized as aggressive, battle-hungry, and frustrated by her forced assignment away from the front lines. Her history of disobeying orders and repeatedly serving as a vanguard officer highlights her reckless military nature.

Significant Themes

• Diplomacy and alliance-building: The agreement to host Eolena’s fleet shows Islington and the Moon Elf Kingdom strengthening their political and military alliances.
• Preparation and responsibility: Each member of the delegation receives a specialized role, emphasizing the importance of careful planning before negotiations.
• Contrasting leadership styles: Velin favors broad oversight and delegation, while Larutis is a direct, combat-oriented leader who would rather fight than negotiate.
• Law versus force: Celeste’s appointment as legal officer highlights the tension between formal diplomacy and the group’s reliance on strength and intimidation.
• Restlessness and confinement: Larutis’s dissatisfaction with her peaceful posting contrasts with the diplomatic preparations in Islington, foreshadowing possible conflict.

Character Interactions

• Velin and Undine work together to welcome Eolena and coordinate the Seventh Fleet’s future base.
• Eolena cooperates with Undine and offers support during the upcoming negotiations.
• Velin teases Celeste about neglecting his diplomatic duties for chess, while Celeste responds with stoic defiance.
• Kyle and Celeste form a practical partnership, with Kyle teaching him about Silvarecis laws and taboos.
• Larutis’s subordinates remain cautious around her because of her volatile personality and military reputation.
• Upon hearing Velin’s name, Larutis immediately expresses interest in challenging him, establishing potential tension between the two leaders.

Summary

Plot and key events

• Governor Lalutis of Ancient Emberfire Astral Sea Port orders Marcus to send a message to the Moon Knight, challenging him to a fight.
• The six Kingdom Legendaries governing the port’s affairs strongly object, warning that the challenge could provoke the Moon God Church. They privately fear the Moon Knight and believe Lalutis may lose.
• Lalutis angrily dismisses their concerns and leaves. Since the Empire grants her nearly unlimited authority, and the six cannot defeat her collectively, they decide to support her publicly while reporting the situation to their homeland.
• Back at her manor, Lalutis vents her frustration to her two Head Maids, complaining that the six Legendaries are cowards and suggesting they deserve another beating.
• After reviewing Lalutis’s memories, the maids help her analyze the Moon Knight’s presence in Islington. They infer that the Church of Life fleet’s changed banners and military support indicate a secret operation.
• Lalutis concludes that the operation most likely involves a Star Gate. She reasons that the Moon Knight’s group will soon need to negotiate with her, allowing her to demand a duel as part of the negotiations.
• Half a month later, a diplomatic mission of twelve kilometer-class Floating Battleships leaves Islington for Ancient Emberfire Astral Sea Port.

Character developments

• Lalutis is portrayed as fiercely proud, combative, and eager to test herself against powerful opponents. Although impulsive and arrogant, she is not reckless; she recognizes the political consequences of openly provoking the Moon God Church and devises a way to secure the duel through diplomacy.
• The six Kingdom Legendaries are revealed to be cautious and politically helpless. They respect Lalutis’s authority and fear both her strength and the Moon Knight’s reputation.
• The two Head Maids act as loyal attendants and intelligent advisers. Their analysis helps Lalutis identify the likely purpose of the Church of Life fleet, while their praise also feeds her confidence.
• The Moon Knight does not appear directly, but his reputation is powerful enough to intimidate experienced Kingdom Legendaries and motivate Lalutis to challenge him.

Major themes

• Courage versus fear: Lalutis despises those who refuse to confront a powerful enemy, while the Legendaries prioritize survival and caution.
• Power and authority: Lalutis’s near-total authority prevents the officials from restraining her, even when they believe her decision is dangerous.
• Political maneuvering: A personal duel is reframed as part of diplomatic negotiations, showing how individual ambitions operate within larger political conflicts.
• Strength and combat: Lalutis views battle with powerful opponents as one of life’s greatest pleasures and seeks conflict not merely for conquest, but for the challenge itself.

Important interactions

• Lalutis clashes with the six Kingdom Legendaries over her challenge to the Moon Knight.
• The officials privately discuss how to contain the crisis and decide to notify their homeland.
• Lalutis confides in her two maids, who help her interpret the Moon Knight’s movements and the Church of Life’s fleet activity.
• The maids’ deductions lead Lalutis to the Star Gate theory and encourage her plan to force a duel during the coming negotiations.

Chapter Summary: “Conceal It from Above or Sell Out Their Interests”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Two days after arriving at Ancient Emberfire Astral Sea Port, the Floating Fleet’s diplomatic mission is reported to Governor Lalutis.
• Lalutis shows little interest upon learning that only an advance party has arrived. She orders her maid, Aina, to have Marcus receive the delegation.
• Lalutis continues approving official documents without reading them in detail, trusting that the six senior officials have already reviewed them.
• The chapter recounts Lalutis’s brutal record as governor:
  • She oversaw the purge of Viten’s corruption network, resulting in tens of thousands of executions and hundreds of thousands of punishments or exiles.
  • She also suppressed nobles who had mobilized troops privately, executing over ten thousand people and implicating roughly a million.
• These actions have intimidated Ancient Emberfire’s officials, including the six older power brokers, who now resolve problems quietly so Lalutis will not become involved.
• Marcus meets Lavian, the liaison from Islington Astral Sea Port, and learns that the Church of Life and the Moon Knight have agreed to construct a Star Gate connecting Islington and Anaris.
• Lavian confirms that the Moon Knight himself will lead the upcoming negotiations.
• Marcus realizes this creates a dangerous possibility: Lalutis and the Moon Knight may meet and clash.
• He considers two options:
  1. Conceal the Moon Knight’s presence from Lalutis, risking offense to the opposing side and Lalutis’s retaliation once she discovers the deception.
  2. Reveal Lalutis’s temperament and privately persuade the Moon Knight to pretend or make concessions.
• Marcus chooses the second option, explaining Lalutis’s history and warning that she is fully capable of provoking the Moon Knight.
• Lavian agrees to report the matter to the Moon Knight. The negotiations are scheduled for forty-five days later rather than three months, allowing time for private communication.
• Marcus returns to report to Lalutis, who accepts the delay without concern.
• Back in Islington, Lavian reports the situation to Velin and others. They are astonished by Lalutis’s reputation and wonder how aggressive she must be for even a Kingdom Legendary to avoid confronting her.

Character Developments

• Lalutis: Her ruthless, decisive governing style is emphasized. She is feared because of the massive purges she carried out, yet she appears indifferent to routine administration and trusts her subordinates to handle details.
• Marcus: He demonstrates political judgment and pragmatism. Although loyal to Lalutis, he prioritizes preventing a disastrous confrontation and is willing to expose his side’s concerns to the opposing delegation.
• Lavian: He remains courteous and diplomatic but is surprised by the danger Lalutis poses. He recognizes that he lacks authority to settle the matter himself and refers it to the Moon Knight.
• The Moon Knight: Though absent from the chapter, his influence is significant. His confirmed participation turns ordinary negotiations into a potentially volatile encounter.
• Velin, Undine, and Nelius: Their reactions establish Lalutis’s terrifying reputation beyond Ancient Emberfire.

Significant Themes

• Political maneuvering and damage control: The officials must carefully manage information to prevent a conflict between powerful figures.
• Fear as a governing tool: Lalutis’s past violence has transformed the behavior of the entire administration.
• The limits of authority: Marcus and Lavian can arrange meetings and pass information along, but neither can control Lalutis or the Moon Knight.
• Truth versus concealment: The chapter centers on whether to hide the Moon Knight’s presence or openly warn him about Lalutis, with both choices carrying serious risks.
• Reputation and power: Lalutis’s reputation alone is powerful enough to make outsiders reconsider their diplomatic strategy.

Important Character Interactions

• Lalutis orders Aina to assign Marcus responsibility for receiving the fleet.
• Marcus and Lavian exchange formal courtesies before discussing the Star Gate negotiations.
• Marcus reveals Lalutis’s temperament and history, shocking Lavian and persuading him to consult the Moon Knight.
• Marcus later reports the arrangements to Lalutis, who dismisses the matter without apparent concern.
• Lavian’s report to Velin and the others shifts their perception of Lalutis from an unknown governor to an exceptionally dangerous and influential figure.

Chapter Summary: “Lalutis’s Arrogance”

Key Plot Points and Events

• During a meeting, Velin and the other Continental Legends discuss Governor Lalutis of Ancient Emberfire Astral Sea Port, whose reputation for bloodthirsty arrogance has drawn attention.
• Velin proposes testing Lalutis’s strength before negotiations. He decides that she must first fight three of his allies—his Guardian Knight, his guard, and Archbishop Eolena—before he will personally duel her.
• Lavian is sent to deliver the challenge. When he reaches Ancient Emberfire Astral Sea Port, he meets Marcus and conveys Velin’s conditions.
• Lalutis arrives unexpectedly and demonstrates her overwhelming power by effortlessly taking Lavian’s longbow before he can react. She agrees to the challenge but sets the duels for half a month later at Islington Astral Sea Port.
• Lalutis arrogantly insists that spectators be present and boasts that Velin’s three champions will not last even a hundred breaths against her.
• Five days later, a large gathering of Floating Battleships and representatives from surrounding factions assembles near Islington Astral Sea Port to watch the coming battles.
• The chapter ends as Lalutis arrives and observers begin speculating about the outcome, with some apparently preparing to gamble on the fights.

Character Development

• Velin/Moon Knight: Displays strategic confidence and restraint. Rather than fighting Lalutis immediately, he uses three preliminary battles to assess her abilities, demonstrate his faction’s strength, and discourage other factions from exploiting the negotiations.
• Lalutis: Her arrogance is reinforced by her actions and words. She casually disarms Lavian, showing immense speed and strength, and treats the upcoming battles as a public spectacle she is certain to dominate.
• Lavian: Initially performs his diplomatic duty calmly, but Lalutis’s condescension and intimidating power leave him angry and sympathetic toward Marcus. He recognizes how difficult Lalutis must be to serve.
• Marcus: Understands Velin’s plan and feels relieved that the challenge may prevent further complications. He apologizes to Lavian for Lalutis’s behavior, suggesting he is accustomed to managing her excesses.
• Eolena: Shows unusual fighting spirit and volunteers to face Lalutis, while remaining composed and tolerant during the meeting.
• Supporting observers: Anastasia is cautious and practical, warning her companion against gambling, while the blonde elf appears tempted to bet despite her poor history.

Significant Themes

• Arrogance versus measured strength: Lalutis relies on confidence and intimidation, while Velin responds with preparation and controlled strategy.
• Power as diplomacy: The duels are not merely personal contests; they are intended to display strength and influence the surrounding factions before negotiations.
• Public reputation and spectacle: Lalutis demands an audience, turning the confrontation into a political and social event watched by numerous factions.
• Leadership and responsibility: Marcus’s apologies and Lavian’s reactions highlight the burden of dealing with a powerful but difficult superior.
• Testing and uncertainty: Although Lalutis claims victory is assured, Velin’s group seeks to learn her actual capabilities before committing to a direct confrontation.

Character Interactions

• Velin consults with Kyle, Celeste, Duke Moravia, Karix, Eolena, and the other Legends before arranging the challenge.
• Velin instructs Lavian to deliver the conditions to Lalutis through Marcus.
• Lalutis intimidates Lavian by taking his weapon, then dismisses formalities and dictates the terms of the encounter.
• Marcus apologizes to Lavian afterward, recognizing Lalutis’s offensive behavior.
• At the future battlefield, Anastasia and the blonde elf discuss Lalutis’s arrival and the possibility of betting on the upcoming duels.

Void Duel (Part 1) — Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Velin encourages Kyle before his duel with Lalutis, telling him not to focus on victory but on surviving safely.
• Twelve starships gather in the void to watch a series of duels between Continental Legends. Betting begins among the spectators.
• Lalutis and Kyle formally greet each other according to the ancient Fenris Rules. A coin formed from their respective Law Powers determines who attacks first.
• The Blood Law lands face-up, allowing Lalutis to strike first. She and Kyle engage in a fierce battle, exchanging more than a thousand attacks in a minute.
• Despite Kyle’s powerful Truth Law and Angel equipment, Lalutis overwhelms him through her superior legendary rank. His Angel Armor is destroyed, and he loses within ten minutes.
• Lalutis recognizes Kyle’s talent and invites him to join the Empire. Kyle refuses, reaffirming his loyalty to Velin. Lalutis accepts his answer and expresses interest in fighting him again.
• Celeste becomes the second challenger. Using his Dawn Armor, Dawn Interval, and Light Law, he battles Lalutis after the Fenris coin grants him the first attack.
• Celeste’s opening attack creates a massive illusory sun and a destructive void storm, but Lalutis defeats him after ten minutes—only five seconds later than Kyle.
• Celeste returns with an unusual, anticipatory smile directed at Kyle, hinting at a developing rivalry or challenge.
• The third duel begins between Lalutis and Eolena, the Archbishop of the Church of Life, who is also known as the Flame War Princess.

Character Developments

• Kyle: Demonstrates courage and discipline despite being outmatched. His refusal to abandon Velin shows strong loyalty. He also carefully studies Celeste’s battle, suggesting his analytical abilities and desire to learn from stronger opponents.
• Lalutis: Reveals herself as an exceptionally powerful and battle-hungry warrior. She respects strength, seeks challenging opponents, and shows enough humility to recognize that her victory over Kyle depended heavily on their difference in rank.
• Velin: Acts as a supportive master but becomes visibly possessive and irritated when Lalutis attempts to recruit Kyle. His confidence in observing and evaluating battles is also emphasized.
• Celeste: Displays bravery and a willingness to confront stronger opponents to expose his weaknesses. His mysterious smile toward Kyle suggests that the duel has inspired competitive motivation.
• Eolena: Is introduced as a calm but formidable figure whose faint emotional reaction shows that Lalutis’s reputation or strength has affected her.

Significant Themes

• Growth through combat: The characters view fighting powerful opponents as a way to identify weaknesses, strengthen resolve, and gain insight.
• Respect among warriors: Victory does not produce humiliation; Lalutis respects both Kyle and Celeste for enduring the fight and invites Kyle to battle again.
• Loyalty versus ambition: Kyle’s rejection of Lalutis’s recruitment highlights his devotion to Velin over personal advancement.
• Power and rank: The battles demonstrate how differences in legendary rank can determine the outcome, even when fighters possess comparable skill.
• Ritual and tradition: The formal greetings and Fenris coin toss establish dueling as an ancient, highly respected practice rather than a simple contest.
• Spectacle and influence: The duels attract widespread attention, betting, and study, showing how rare battles between Continental Legends affect the larger world.

Character Interactions

• Velin reassures Kyle before the match and later reacts possessively to Lalutis’s recruitment attempt.
• Lalutis and Kyle exchange formal greetings, fight intensely, and end the duel with mutual recognition and an agreement to fight again.
• Kyle and Celeste encourage one another before their respective matches, while Kyle closely analyzes Celeste’s performance.
• Celeste’s final smile toward Kyle suggests that their relationship may develop into a rivalry.
• Lalutis and Eolena formally greet each other before beginning the next battle.

Void Duel (Part Two) — Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• The third and final duel between Lalutis and Eolena begins after the previous battles, with both women fighting at full strength.
• Their battle lasts two days and two nights, repeatedly shattering and restoring the void. The prolonged conflict even sweeps bystanders into unknown regions.
• Eolena gradually gains the advantage, but neither fighter can decisively defeat the other. Recognizing that a true victory would require many more days of combat, Eolena proposes a draw.
• Lalutis accepts, ending the battle without a winner.
• The blond elf celebrates the draw because it allows her to win her wager. She embraces and kisses Anastasia, only to be dragged away by the collar—presumably to receive punishment for gambling again.
• Lalutis insists on continuing the challenge because her true goal is to fight Moon Knight. Eolena therefore withdraws and leaves her to recover.
• Velin enters the battlefield and declares that he intends to crush Lalutis publicly, using the fight to intimidate the surrounding factions.
• He summons the Life Knight, Death Knight, and Blood Knight. The Life and Death Knights merge with the Blood Knight, who then fuses completely into Velin.
• This fusion causes Velin’s power to surge dramatically, reaching the threshold of the Epic realm in moments.
• Lalutis resists the overwhelming pressure, reminding herself that surrender would betray her identity as a warrior. She launches her strongest attack, powerful enough to destroy half a Planet World.
• Velin casually extinguishes her sword strike with a single point of his finger, stunning the more than one hundred thousand spectators and confirming the frightening rumors about his strength.

Character Developments

• Lalutis proves herself to be an exceptionally powerful and determined warrior. Despite recognizing that Velin’s aura surpasses even that of her mentor, Prince Iwakahn, she refuses to surrender without fighting.
• Eolena displays maturity and practical judgment. Rather than prolonging an evenly matched battle for another ten days, she chooses a draw and acknowledges Lalutis as a worthy opponent.
• Velin shifts from passive observer to overwhelming combatant. He reveals that he has access to a powerful fusion technique involving the three Knights and demonstrates strength far beyond what his public status suggests.
• The blond elf remains impulsive and regretful, repeatedly gambling despite previous losses. Her exaggerated celebration after winning the draw highlights both her childishness and her inability to resist wagers.
• Anastasia acts as the stern authority figure, responding to the elf’s behavior with silent exasperation and physical punishment rather than sympathy.

Significant Themes

• Warrior’s pride and perseverance: Lalutis’s refusal to yield emphasizes the importance of courage and identity over the certainty of victory.
• Power concealed beneath appearances: Velin’s transformation reveals that his true strength is vastly greater than his reputation as a relatively recent Continental Legend suggests.
• Pragmatism versus stubbornness: Eolena accepts a draw because it is the logical outcome, while Lalutis continues onward because personal purpose matters more to her than efficiency.
• Consequences of recklessness: The blond elf’s repeated gambling creates comic relief while also showing how poor judgment leads to inevitable punishment.
• Public displays of power and intimidation: Velin deliberately overwhelms Lalutis before a massive audience to establish dominance and influence the various factions.

Character Interactions

• Eolena and Lalutis develop mutual respect through their prolonged duel, with Eolena offering the draw and Lalutis accepting it.
• The blond elf celebrates with Anastasia, but Anastasia immediately restrains and drags her away after the elf’s excessive display of joy.
• Eolena warns Lalutis to take care of herself before leaving, showing concern despite their opposition.
• Velin consults Eolena about the outcome, then directly confronts Lalutis when he learns she still wants to fight him.
• Velin’s fusion with the three Knights demonstrates cooperation between his aspects and establishes the overwhelming power he brings against Lalutis.

Chapter Summary: “On Life’s Road, There Are Wins and Losses”

Key plot points and events

• After a long battle, Lalutis’s Legendary-tier crimson longsword—her companion for five hundred years—disintegrates completely. She acknowledges defeat to Velin, the Moon Knight.
• Velin praises her willingness to admit defeat and teaches her that advancing in life requires both the courage to challenge stronger opponents and compassion for those who follow.
• He releases tens of thousands of laws into the void, causing hundreds of thousands of surrounding beings to enter enlightenment. Afterward, the borrowed power sustaining him fades, leaving him temporarily weakened.
• The Blood Knight, Life Knight, and Death Knight separate from one another before returning to Velin’s body and soul. Velin jokingly considers finding an excuse to repeat the arrangement in the future.
• Rather than punish Lalutis, Velin invites her to accompany him to Islington Astral Sea Port. She accepts.
• Back aboard the Floating Battleship, Velin introduces Lalutis to his companions and powerful allies, including his grandfather, the Space Walker, and Karix. Lalutis realizes that Velin likely sent a weaker opponent to preserve her dignity.
• Twenty hours later, Xuemya awakens from her enlightenment. She learns that Lalutis is the governor and prepares to return with the group.

Character developments

• Lalutis moves from arrogance and confidence to humility. Her open admission of defeat earns Velin’s respect, and she begins to recognize the depth of his power and character.
• Velin demonstrates mercy, wisdom, emotional composure, and consideration for his opponent’s dignity. Despite losing his temporary power, he remains calm and unaffected.
• Xuemya benefits greatly from the laws Velin revealed and expects to spend months absorbing her insights. Her playful, familiar interactions with Velin emphasize their close marriage.
• Velin’s allies are shown to possess formidable strength, particularly the Space Walker and Karix, reinforcing the scale of Velin’s network and influence.
• The Blood, Life, and Death Knights briefly function as independent beings before returning to Velin, suggesting a special and possibly repeatable connection between them.

Significant themes

• Victory and defeat: Losing a battle is not necessarily failure; the important response is whether one can accept defeat and continue growing.
• Humility and personal growth: Lalutis’s willingness to acknowledge defeat marks a major step toward future greatness.
• Compassion and dignity: True strength includes protecting the pride of those who lose, rather than humiliating them.
• Power and impermanence: Velin’s immense borrowed strength disappears quickly, but his mindset remains stable, showing that character matters more than temporary power.
• Enlightenment and shared advancement: Velin’s revelation benefits countless beings, emphasizing that power can be used to uplift others rather than merely dominate them.

Important character interactions

• Velin and Lalutis share a respectful exchange in which he counsels her after her defeat; she formally accepts his lesson.
• Velin invites Lalutis to travel with him, establishing a new relationship based on respect rather than rivalry.
• Lalutis meets Velin’s family and companions, becoming visibly intimidated by the Space Walker and Karix.
• Velin and Xuemya interact playfully after her awakening, with teasing, affection, and comfortable marital familiarity.
• Lalutis plays chess with Kyle while the others observe, signaling her peaceful integration into Velin’s group after the battle.

Chapter Summary: The Blonde Elf’s Reluctance

Key Plot Points and Events

• A banquet is held at the Central Mage Tower in Islington Port to welcome Lalutis, governor of Ancient Emberfire Astral Sea Port.
• Relations between Lalutis’s delegation and Velin’s side improve after their earlier conflict. Lalutis promises to quickly assemble a negotiation team to discuss the Star Gate at Islington Astral Sea Port, but Velin advises her not to rush.
• After the banquet, Velin speaks with Marcus, while Lalutis approaches Eolena to learn more about the woman who surpassed her in strength. Eolena remains polite but emotionally distant.
• News of Velin’s battle with Lalutis spreads rapidly among the hundreds of thousands of witnesses returning to Islington.
• At the Starweavers Organization’s Mage Tower, Roanna, the blonde elf, excitedly reflects on Velin’s overwhelming power. She realizes that the legendary stories about him—creating armies of Legends, fighting gods, and killing Outer Gods—are likely true.
• Roanna wonders whether Velin would accept her if she joined him. Anastasia misinterprets her question, then warns her that Roanna’s three powerful uncles would object. Roanna initially acts brave but admits she is genuinely afraid of them.
• Anastasia explains that Roanna’s complicated family connections make joining Velin politically dangerous. Her father is a High-tier Continental Legend High Elf, her mother a Mid-tier Kingdom Legendary Dusk Orc, and her three uncles are influential figures tied to the Dusk Church, an Epic Titan, and the wider adventuring world.
• Anastasia reassures Roanna that the Starweavers chairman would approve of establishing a branch in Velin’s kingdom, since Roanna’s presence there would officially be an organizational assignment rather than a religious or political alliance.
• Anastasia prepares to leave after extending her stay from two weeks to nearly two months at Roanna’s request. The two friends share an emotional farewell, revealing the depth of their bond.
• After Anastasia departs, Roanna feels lonely and redirects her attention toward torturing the imprisoned mother dragon.
• On July 6, 9720, formal negotiations regarding the Star Gate begin aboard a Floating Battleship north of Islington Astral Sea Port. Velin and Lalutis lead their respective delegations.

Character Developments

• Velin: Demonstrates diplomatic restraint by discouraging Lalutis from rushing the Star Gate negotiations. His immense reputation is further confirmed by the reactions of those who witnessed his battle.
• Lalutis: Shows respect for Velin and a willingness to cooperate. Her curiosity about Eolena indicates that she is trying to understand the power structure surrounding Velin.
• Roanna: Her admiration for Velin grows into a possible desire to join his side, though fear of her family prevents her from acting impulsively. She also reveals a playful, mischievous personality and a deep emotional dependence on Anastasia.
• Anastasia: Acts as Roanna’s practical and protective friend. She understands the political risks of Roanna joining Velin and provides a realistic path for her to establish a connection through the Starweavers Organization.
• Eolena: Maintains her aloof, detached demeanor, refusing to become close to Lalutis despite the latter’s interest.

Significant Themes

• Power and reputation: Velin’s firsthand display of strength transforms exaggerated rumors into believable reality.
• Diplomacy and political balance: The Star Gate negotiations require cooperation between powerful factions, while personal alliances risk provoking religious and familial conflicts.
• Friendship and separation: Roanna and Anastasia’s farewell highlights the emotional importance of long-standing companionship.
• Family influence and obligation: Roanna’s choices are constrained by the power and affiliations of her absent parents and three uncles.
• Admiration versus fear: Roanna is fascinated by Velin’s strength but also intimidated by the consequences of approaching him.

Character Interactions

• Velin and Lalutis exchange a toast and establish a more relaxed diplomatic relationship.
• Lalutis approaches Eolena for information, but Eolena keeps her at arm’s length.
• Roanna and Anastasia argue humorously over Roanna’s interest in joining Velin, with Anastasia reprimanding her and Roanna reluctantly admitting her fear of her uncles.
• Anastasia and Roanna discuss a potential Starweavers branch in Velin’s kingdom.
• The two friends share an affectionate embrace before Anastasia leaves.
• The chapter ends by shifting from personal farewells to the formal Velin–Lalutis negotiation over the Star Gate.

• Negotiations begin: A Kingdom Legendary serves as notary while Velin, representing Islington Astral Sea Port, and Governor Lalutis, representing Ancient Emberfire Astral Sea Port, begin formal negotiations under divine witness. The presence of the Moon Knight and other powerful figures attracts attention from the Crowns.
• Star Gate dispute: The two sides address the fact that their Star Gates are only eighty million kilometers apart, violating the convention requiring a minimum distance of one hundred million kilometers. Islington agrees to relocate its Astral Sea Port thirty million kilometers south within two years.
• Ironheart Astral Port Base: The relocation creates an overlap with Ancient Emberfire’s Ironheart Astral Port Base and its territorial and reserved zones. Ancient Emberfire offers either to move the base westward or sell it to Islington for sixty million High-grade Magic Crystals. Although the base is privately valued at roughly two hundred million crystals, Ancient Emberfire’s reduced price represents a major concession.
• Velin and Undine’s decision: Undine recognizes that purchasing the base would maximize Islington’s material benefits, though it would create an obligation to Ancient Emberfire. Velin, recognizing Lalutis’s goodwill after their earlier conflict, accepts the offer. Undine supports his decision, reinforcing their cooperation and trust.
• Broader agreements: Over a day and a night, the parties settle additional issues, including mutual embassies, a defensive alliance, the division of trade zones, religious boundaries, construction assistance, and other political and economic arrangements. The negotiations proceed smoothly because of the respect and goodwill created by the previous battle.
• Treaty signing: Velin and Lalutis sign the treaty, followed by their deputies. The notary officially declares the “Islington–Ancient Emberfire Outer Space Mutual Assistance Treaty” effective at 9:00 a.m. on July 8, Radiant Calendar 9720.
• Major provisions: The treaty confirms Islington’s southward relocation, Ancient Emberfire’s transfer of Ironheart Astral Port Base for sixty million High-grade Magic Crystals, and numerous additional articles. One later provision allows the Silvarecis Empire Starfleet to dock temporarily at Islington’s port for an agreed fee.
• Character developments and themes: Velin shifts from the aftermath of conflict toward pragmatic diplomacy, choosing to accept Ancient Emberfire’s favor rather than pursue a strictly transactional relationship. Lalutis demonstrates a conciliatory and cooperative attitude after the battle. The chapter emphasizes reconciliation after conflict, strategic compromise, mutual assistance, political alliance-building, and the importance of personal trust and reciprocal favors in international negotiations.

Chapter Summary: “Six Hundred Million High-grade Magic Crystals”

Key Plot Points and Events

• After the state letters are signed, negotiations between the Moon Elf Kingdom and the Star-Prayer Kingdom conclude.
• Lalutis invites Velin to visit Ancient Emberfire Astral Sea Port before returning to Reality Space, and Velin accepts.
• Three days later, Velin, Kyle, Celeste, Undine, Duke Moravia, and Karix meet at the Central Mage Tower to discuss the construction of Islington Astral Sea Port.
• Undine presents a three-phase development plan:
  1. Star Gate construction: Estimated cost of 600 million High-grade Magic Crystals, with the goal of linking Islington to Anaris Astral Sea Port before Radiant Calendar Year 9830.
  2. Expansion and trade development: Estimated cost of 1.5 billion crystals over thirty years, partially offset by projected Star Gate revenue.
  3. Long-term expansion and defense: Estimated cost of 2.1 billion crystals over sixty years, eventually funded by the Star Gate’s income and producing a yearly surplus.
• The financial burden is divided according to ownership shares:
  • Moon Elf Kingdom: the largest share
  • Star-Prayer Kingdom and Ilia Kingdom: equal smaller shares
• Velin and Karix approve the plan. Karix is especially enthusiastic because the project could elevate the Ilia Kingdom into a major power and allow it to surpass the Kingdom of Bacio.
• Velin asks whether the 60 million High-grade Magic Crystals needed to purchase Ironheart Astral Port Base are included in the budget.
• Undine initially says the Moon Elf Kingdom will pay for the base separately because it holds the largest share. Velin rejects this arrangement, arguing that all costs should be distributed according to the agreed profit shares.
• Karix supports Velin, emphasizing that unequal contributions could create resentment and damage unity.
• Undine accepts the decision. Velin and Karix each promise that their kingdoms will provide their required funds within three years.

Character Developments

• Velin demonstrates financial prudence and political fairness. Although the Moon Elf Kingdom could afford the additional expense, he insists that investment and profit shares remain balanced to preserve trust among the allies.
• Karix reveals strong ambition for the Ilia Kingdom. He views the project as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to modernize his nation, build a Floating Fleet, and rise to the first tier of powers.
• Undine acts as the practical planner and financial coordinator. Though initially willing to let the Moon Elf Kingdom shoulder the additional cost, she ultimately respects the alliance’s collective decision.
• Duke Moravia, Kyle, and Celeste attend the meeting but do not play major speaking roles in this chapter.
• Karix’s thoughts also highlight his gratitude toward Velin, whom he credits with making the Ilia Kingdom’s future ambitions possible.

Significant Themes

• Long-term investment and national development: The Star Gate requires enormous initial funding but promises substantial returns and strategic advantages over a century.
• Unity through fairness: Velin argues that alliances endure only when both profits and expenses are distributed transparently.
• Political and economic transformation: The Star Gate and Astral Sea Port could reshape trade, defense, and the balance of power among the kingdoms.
• Patience and generational planning: Though the investment takes roughly a century to fully pay off, such a period is relatively short for powerful nations and Legends.
• Ambition and gratitude: Karix’s excitement reflects the hope that technological and economic progress will elevate the Ilia Kingdom.

Important Character Interactions

• Velin and Lalutis: Lalutis invites Velin to Ancient Emberfire Astral Sea Port, and he agrees to visit.
• Velin and Undine: Velin challenges Undine’s proposal to have the Moon Elf Kingdom pay for Ironheart Astral Port Base alone, insisting on proportional cost-sharing.
• Velin and Karix: The two leaders align closely, with Karix openly supporting Velin’s argument and committing Ilia’s funds.
• Velin, Karix, and Undine: Their discussion reinforces the alliance’s cooperative structure, with Undine ultimately accepting the principle that expenses must match profit shares.

Chapter Summary: “Return Journey”

Key Plot Points and Events

• After his meeting, Velin spends a month in Ancient Emberfire Astral Sea Port as Governor Lalutis’s honored guest. The city’s restaurants close exclusively for him, and entire districts are cleared to ensure his privacy.
• Returning to Islington Astral Sea Port in mid-August 9820, Velin bids farewell to Nelius, Lavian, and Eolena before beginning the journey back to the Star-Prayer Kingdom.
• He chooses a shorter route through the Astral Realm, expecting to arrive within a month.
• During the voyage, the Floating Ship leaves Ilarelia World’s Outer Space and enters the surrounding World Cluster, where spatial stability is far weaker.
• The group observes distant worlds and recalls past experiences:
  • Velin and Xuemya discuss the possibility of finding Metalia World again.
  • Duke Moravia and Karix reminisce about once robbing a divine artifact from the God of Arms and escaping its pursuit.
  • Novien remembers a world ruled by his deity and two disciples he left there; Celeste offers to accompany him there someday.
• They encounter a large expeditionary fleet from the Heaven Realm. Its appearance reminds Velin of Yuxia Crowns’s invitation to visit the Heaven Realm, which he postpones for another ten years.
• After twenty-two days of travel and several spatial leaps, the Floating Ship reaches familiar Outer Space near a gateway to Reality Space.
• Velin prepares to return directly to the Star-Prayer Kingdom and wonders whether Lecid Kiria is still waiting for him after his seven-month absence.

Character Developments

• Velin becomes more open-minded about Lalutis, realizing that beneath her arrogance she is not a bad person. He jokingly concludes that the best way to become close to her may be to defeat her physically.
• He also demonstrates increased awareness of his status and responsibilities, reflecting on delayed promises and deciding to set a future deadline for visiting the Heaven Realm.
• Lalutis is revealed as both powerful and influential, capable of reorganizing an entire city to entertain Velin.
• Duke Moravia and Karix display a shared sense of humor and nostalgia over their reckless past encounter with the God of Arms.
• Novien shows concern for his former disciples, while Celeste supports him emotionally and offers companionship.
• Xuemya, Lyanna, and Kyle contribute to the group’s conversations, with Kyle providing a practical explanation for why some distant worlds appear brighter.
• Velin reflects on his obligations to Lecid Kiria, acknowledging that he has kept him waiting far longer than intended.

Significant Themes

• Journeys and unfinished obligations: The physical return mirrors Velin’s need to address promises, invitations, and relationships left unresolved.
• The vastness of the cosmos: The World Cluster contains countless worlds, each with different energy levels, rulers, and histories, emphasizing the immense scale of the setting.
• Memory and nostalgia: Several characters recall earlier adventures, former allies, disciples, and dangerous encounters.
• Friendship and companionship: Conversations between the travelers reveal bonds built through shared experiences and mutual support.
• Power and spatial hierarchy: The weakening of space outside Ilarelia World illustrates the difference between realms and the varying abilities required to traverse or break them.
• Delayed growth and future plans: Although Velin has been a Legendary figure for twelve years, he continues to postpone major commitments, showing that his journey and ambitions remain ongoing.

Character Interactions

• Velin and Xuemya discuss whether Metalia World can be identified among the distant worlds.
• Moravia and Karix laugh together while recalling their escape from the God of Arms.
• Novien reminisces about his disciples, and Celeste reassures him by offering to visit them together.
• Lyanna asks Kyle about the brightness of distant worlds, prompting his explanation about distance and energy.
• The younger characters, including Kavir and Trisa, share a casual exchange over food, reinforcing the relaxed atmosphere aboard the ship.
• Velin privately considers his eventual conversation with Lecid Kiria, leaving the chapter poised for his return to the Star-Prayer Kingdom.

Chapter Summary: “Waiting Lecid Kiria”

Key Plot Points and Events

• A young prince visits his father, Lecid Kiria, who has been staying in a guest manor in Okla City for a year. He reports that Lecid’s former allies, Lady Selena and Lord Baldo, are wavering under pressure from Drake and warns that his own position may become endangered.
• Lecid remains calm and refuses to return, insisting that the strongest ultimately determine the world’s direction. He tells his son to leave, revealing that he is waiting for a more powerful figure—apparently the Moon Knight—to act.
• In the Floating City’s royal palace, King Velin discusses how to accommodate Lady Anastasia/Xia, whose addition brings the kingdom’s number of legends to twelve. Since Velin does not want to grant another ducal title so soon after the kingdom’s founding, Kyle proposes establishing a Supreme Academy of Professionals and appointing Anastasia as its principal.
• Velin approves the plan and assigns Xuemya to establish the academy. He also instructs her not to tell Zeflin about Anastasia’s return yet, suggesting a personal or strategic complication.
• Velin meets with Archon Belder and Archon Orlando to review the kingdom’s condition. The kingdom is prosperous, its army is being reorganized, and no major problems are reported.
• Velin asks about Lecid and learns that he remains in Okla City. He orders Belder to invite Lecid to a royal banquet in half a month.
• After the meeting, Belder attempts to borrow more soldiers from Orlando to address staffing shortages, despite already having borrowed over a thousand troops. Orlando refuses, highlighting the kingdom’s administrative and manpower pressures.
• Lecid receives the royal invitation and laughs with relief. After waiting a full year, he has finally received the opportunity he wanted. He is willing to disregard the earlier half-month arrangement with the Moon Knight, recognizing that the Moon Knight’s renewed offer is already an unusually generous concession given Lecid’s past conflict with Moravia.

Character Developments

• Lecid Kiria is shown to be patient, confident, and calculating. He refuses to be pressured by his son or political instability, placing his faith in the power of stronger individuals and waiting for the right opportunity.
• Lecid’s son is anxious and politically aware, fearing that his father’s prolonged absence will cost them allies and threaten his own safety. He tries to persuade Lecid to abandon his current strategy but leaves frustrated.
• Velin continues to rule in a relaxed, pragmatic manner. Though he appears casual and uninterested in lengthy administration, he makes decisive political choices, especially regarding Anastasia and Lecid.
• Xuemya is entrusted with an important nation-building project, indicating Velin’s confidence in her administrative abilities.
• Belder is overworked by the kingdom’s rapid development and manpower shortages, while Orlando remains responsible but unwilling to sacrifice his own army’s strength.
• Anastasia/Xia gains an important potential position within the kingdom without being burdened with ordinary administrative responsibilities.

Significant Themes

• Power determines political outcomes: Lecid explicitly argues that the words of the strong carry more weight than the arguments of the weak.
• Patience and strategic waiting: Lecid’s year-long stay is presented as deliberate preparation rather than passivity. His patience finally produces the invitation he wanted.
• Political balance and influence: The wavering allegiance of Selena and Baldo, the creation of a special academy, and the invitation to Lecid all reflect Velin’s efforts to manage powerful figures and competing loyalties.
• Nation-building and institutional growth: The kingdom is expanding rapidly, requiring new institutions, military reorganization, and more personnel.
• Hidden agendas and cautious diplomacy: Velin’s instruction to conceal Anastasia’s return from Zeflin and Lecid’s careful dealings with the Moon Knight suggest that important conflicts and alliances remain beneath the surface.

Character Interactions

• Lecid and his son clash over strategy: the son urges immediate action, while Lecid remains confident in waiting.
• Velin, Xuemya, and Kyle collaborate on Anastasia’s future role, with Kyle providing the successful proposal for the professional academy.
• Velin questions Belder and Orlando about the kingdom’s stability and military condition, demonstrating his oversight despite his relaxed demeanor.
• Belder repeatedly pressures Orlando for additional manpower, creating a humorous but revealing exchange about the kingdom’s administrative burdens.
• Lecid’s reaction to Velin’s invitation shows his awareness of the Moon Knight’s power and his willingness to accept the new opportunity despite their previous agreement.

Chapter Summary: “Teacher!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zeflin senses a familiar presence inside the Ice Legion’s garrison and follows it to a watchtower.
• She discovers that the mysterious presence is Anastasia, her long-lost teacher, who has returned after seventy years.
• Zeflin and Anastasia reunite emotionally, with Zeflin abandoning her usual commander-like composure.
• They retreat to Zeflin’s study, where Zeflin prepares tea and tells Anastasia about everything that happened in Qixing Territory after her departure.
• Anastasia asks to visit Sylphros Space, and Zeflin opens an Ice Gate to take her there.
• Zeflin proudly shows Anastasia the military fortress, the fortresses of her subordinates Aestalia and Luna, and the cultivated valley filled with Transcendent plants.
• Anastasia recognizes the Iceblue Grass, which Zeflin explains has undergone ten generations of development.
• After three days of touring Sylphros Space, they return to the Ice Legion’s garrison.
• Zeflin anxiously asks whether Anastasia will leave again. Anastasia promises to remain for the next hundred years.
• Overjoyed, Zeflin embraces her teacher, revealing the deep emotional bond between them.

Character Developments

• Zeflin: Although she is now a powerful and dignified legion commander, her reunion with Anastasia reveals that she still retains the affectionate, innocent student she once was. She has also become a capable leader, builder, and cultivator, creating military fortresses, commanding subordinates, and developing new generations of Transcendent plants.
• Anastasia: She returns as a calm and affectionate mentor. Her approval and gentle reassurance show that she remains deeply attached to Zeflin and recognizes how much her student has grown.
• Aestalia and Luna: They are established as Zeflin’s kin who have become her subordinates and command neighboring fortresses in Sylphros Space.
• Ice Legion Officer: His startled reaction to seeing Zeflin behave affectionately emphasizes how unusual and unexpected her emotional vulnerability is to those who know her only as a commander.

Significant Themes

• Reunion and enduring bonds: The chapter centers on the emotional reunion between teacher and student after seven decades apart.
• Growth and legacy: Anastasia sees the results of her teachings in Zeflin’s accomplishments as a commander, military organizer, and cultivator.
• Contrasting identities: Zeflin’s public image as a stern legion commander contrasts sharply with her private, childlike affection toward Anastasia.
• Belonging and reassurance: Zeflin’s fear that Anastasia may leave again is eased by the promise that her teacher will remain for a century.
• Transformation over time: The evolved Iceblue Grass symbolizes how both the world and Zeflin have changed while still preserving connections to the past.

Character Interactions

• Zeflin cautiously tracks Anastasia before confirming her identity, then greets her with intense affection.
• Anastasia acknowledges Zeflin as her student and warmly observes that she has grown up.
• Zeflin respectfully hosts Anastasia in her study, serves her tea, and shares the history of the past seventy years.
• During their tour, Zeflin proudly explains her military achievements and introduces Anastasia to her domain.
• At the end, Zeflin asks for reassurance and permission to embrace Anastasia. Anastasia comforts her, and Zeflin responds with a joyful embrace.

Chapter Summary: “The Obedient Dog”

Key Plot Points and Events

• On November 13, 9820, Lecid Kiria prepares carefully in formal clothing to meet the Moon Knight, demonstrating the importance he places on the encounter.
• He becomes the first foreign guest to use the royal capital’s new network of small Floating Ships, traveling from his estate to the Floating City.
• While Lecid arrives punctually, Velin oversleeps. Xuemya remains in bed reading until Velin remembers the meeting and rushes out.
• Velin deliberately walks slowly to the Administrative Hall rather than flying, hoping to avoid drawing attention to his late start and reinforcing rumors about his laziness.
• Lecid waits patiently and respectfully for Velin, showing no irritation despite the delay.
• After exchanging formalities, Velin discusses several neutral subjects before addressing the central issue: Lecid’s plan to establish a nation.
• Velin agrees to Lecid’s previous proposal but adds a personal condition: Lecid must obey him, provided Velin does not demand actions that harm Lecid’s nation or endanger his life.
• Lecid immediately accepts, since the arrangement offers significant advantages and is only slightly more demanding than the tribute and submission already expected from the new kingdom.
• They agree to sign a cooperation treaty in three months. Lecid will report the agreement to his allies.
• Velin then asks about the old conflict between Lecid and Velin’s grandfather, Moravia. After assuring Lecid that Moravia will not learn what is revealed, Velin persuades him to discuss the matter.

Character Developments

• Lecid Kiria: Reveals himself to be disciplined, patient, politically flexible, and highly pragmatic. He willingly submits to Velin’s authority because doing so secures protection and benefits for his future nation.
• Velin: Demonstrates a mixture of laziness, political calculation, and authority. Though late to the meeting, he controls the discussion effectively, establishes favorable terms, and recognizes Lecid’s leadership abilities.
• Xuemya: Appears supportive and composed. She quietly observes Velin, continues her studies, and prepares the banquet for Lecid, showing her role in both his personal life and political duties.
• Moravia: Though absent, his past relationship with Lecid and his negative assessment of Lecid influence the political context. Velin’s curiosity about their history suggests unresolved tensions.

Significant Themes

• Power and submission: Velin offers support and investment in exchange for Lecid’s obedience, creating a relationship based on unequal but mutually beneficial power.
• Political pragmatism: Lecid accepts personal subordination because it protects his nation and increases its chances of surviving its vulnerable early years.
• Leadership through pressure: Velin recalls Moravia’s view that Lecid can be controlled through pressure, while also recognizing that Lecid’s adaptability makes him capable of ruling.
• Appearance and diplomacy: Both men carefully observe formal etiquette. Lecid’s elaborate clothing and patience, and Velin’s controlled conversation, mask the underlying negotiation over authority.
• Secrets and historical conflict: The discussion of Lecid’s past with Moravia introduces a concealed history that may affect Velin’s judgment and future political relationships.

Character Interactions

• Lecid and Velin maintain polite, formal behavior while negotiating a significant political alliance.
• Velin tests Lecid’s temperament through prolonged small talk before presenting the demand for obedience.
• Lecid responds with complete cooperation, confirming Velin’s impression that he can be pressured into loyalty.
• Xuemya and Velin’s brief domestic interaction contrasts with the formal political meeting and shows her quiet support for his responsibilities.
• Velin’s confidential questioning of Lecid about Moravia marks a shift from diplomatic negotiation to personal and historical disclosure.

Chapter Summary: “The Secret of His Grandfather”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lysid recounts his thirty-three years as a member of the adventuring party The Last Copper Coin, which he joined after meeting its mysterious captain, Elvin, in Radiant Calendar 9086.
• The original party consisted of:
  • Elvin, an enigmatic warrior and captain whose true strength was never revealed.
  • Elena, a hard-drinking Life Priest nicknamed “Blood Rose.”
  • Carlisle, a flirtatious but ineffectual half-elf ranger.
  • Nasha, a human Arcanist, apothecary, and treasurer obsessed with money.
  • Lysid, who served as the party’s vanguard.
• The group traveled widely, exploring nations, islands, the Shadow World, pocket dimensions, and dangerous supernatural locations. They fought demons and eliminated illegal crossers.
• After fifteen years, Carlisle’s legendary ranger mother reclaimed him and took him away. Lysid became captivated by her beauty, while Elvin apparently helped handle Carlisle’s departure.
• A year later, the party encountered Moravia, Velin’s grandfather, being chased by a red dragon. Elvin defeated the high-tier Soul Intent dragon and took her treasure, after which Moravia joined the party.
• Moravia and Lysid initially became friends but later clashed over a ruin. Although Elvin mediated the dispute, their relationship remained strained.
• Lysid repeatedly gives Velin memory spheres containing objective records of Moravia’s adventures instead of describing them himself. Velin receives seven spheres and plans to exploit the embarrassing memories for profit.
• In the party’s thirty-third year, Lysid leaves after receiving news from his father.
• The day before Lysid’s departure, Elvin brings a mysterious woman to the party. Lysid remembers that she left a strong impression but can no longer recall her face or name, strongly suggesting she was Velin’s grandmother.
• Velin gains valuable information about his grandfather’s past, though the identity of his grandmother remains unresolved.

Character Developments and Interactions

• Lysid reveals himself as an experienced but somewhat private adventurer. He is willing to discuss his comrades but avoids exposing his own personal flaws.
• Velin becomes increasingly fascinated by his grandfather’s history. His curiosity is mixed with opportunism, as he intends to use the memory spheres to bargain with both his father and grandfather.
• Elvin is established as an extraordinarily powerful and mysterious leader. He defeats a powerful red dragon, mediates conflicts, and appears connected to the arrival and disappearance of important people.
• Moravia is portrayed through Lysid’s account as a former adventurer who could be vulnerable, argumentative, and difficult, contrasting with the powerful figure Velin likely knows.
• Velin and Lysid share humorous exchanges, particularly over Carlisle’s mother. Velin is briefly overwhelmed by her supernatural beauty, but regains his composure by thinking of Xuemya.
• Lysid and Moravia’s initial friendship deteriorates after their dispute, showing that even Elvin’s mediation cannot fully restore their bond.

Significant Themes

• Mystery and incomplete memory: Elvin’s power, Moravia’s past, and the identity of Velin’s grandmother remain obscured. Lysid’s fading memories suggest deeper forces or limitations at work.
• The unreliability of personal stories: Lysid gives Velin memory spheres because firsthand retellings would contain bias, emphasizing the difference between memory and objective evidence.
• Family legacy and curiosity: Velin seeks to understand his grandfather and uncover the origins of his family, especially his grandmother.
• Adventure and eccentric companionship: The Last Copper Coin is made up of flawed, unusual individuals whose contrasting personalities nevertheless sustain a long-running partnership.
• Opportunism and humor: Velin treats family secrets as potential leverage, balancing genuine interest with a mischievous desire for profit.
• Power hidden beneath appearances: Elvin’s true abilities are never fully displayed, while seemingly vulnerable figures such as Moravia may possess far greater importance than initially apparent.

Chapter Summary: “Hunting” Grandfather

Key Plot Points and Events

• Duke Moravia realizes that his grandson, Velin, has uncovered information about his past. He and Karix discuss Velin’s likely plan to sell the information to his father, Angus, while manipulating both sides. Moravia admits that Velin has become powerful enough that confronting him directly is no longer safe, so he chooses to pretend ignorance.
• Angus similarly senses that Velin is scheming against him. As Foreign Minister, Angus is confined to the royal capital, and he bitterly jokes that his son has made ruling the kingdom an excuse to torment his own father.
• After a successful banquet hosted by Velin, Lysid returns to his manor. Velin and Xuemya privately watch memory orbs showing embarrassing scenes from Duke Moravia’s youth, including him being chased by a red dragon. Both laugh at the contrast between Moravia’s current dignified image and his humiliating past.
• Velin reflects on Moravia’s mysterious wife, whose identity and appearance cannot be retained in memory. He decides not to investigate the secret until he is strong enough to uncover the truth safely.
• Three days later, Lysid leaves the Star-Prayer Kingdom and returns to the Alliance Frontier Zone with the results of his negotiations.
• Meanwhile, Velin and Angus finalize a plan targeting Ignatius, the Ex Family’s fourth-generation patriarch. They intend to use information about two of Ignatius’s illegitimate sons to pressure him into remaining in the kingdom.
• Velin and Angus debate how long Ignatius should be forced to stay: Velin suggests two hundred years, while Angus insists on at least three hundred.
• Velin tries to tempt Angus with secrets about Moravia, but Angus refuses to get involved, suspecting another trap. After Angus leaves, Velin decides to manipulate him indirectly and jokingly blames him in advance for what will happen to Moravia.
• The chapter ends with Velin ordering a guard to summon Ignatius to the royal palace, beginning the final stage of the scheme.

Character Developments

• Velin is portrayed as increasingly powerful, calculating, and mischievous. He treats family secrets as bargaining tools and enjoys exploiting the tensions between his father and grandfather.
• Duke Moravia recognizes that Velin has grown strong enough to threaten him. Rather than risk a confrontation, he adopts a cautious, evasive strategy.
• Angus remains cynical and sharp-minded, but he is also ruthless and practical. He understands that control and pressure are necessary for political stability, though he remains wary of Velin’s schemes.
• Xuemya shares Velin’s amusement and supports his curiosity, while also reminding him when it is time to rest. Her interest in Moravia’s mysterious wife suggests she is intrigued by the family’s hidden secrets.
• Ignatius does not appear directly, but he becomes the target of the family’s coordinated manipulation.

Significant Themes

• Family rivalry and manipulation: The chapter presents family relationships as political contests, with Velin, Angus, and Moravia constantly trying to outmaneuver one another.
• Power and changing authority: Moravia’s reluctance to confront Velin shows how the balance of power has shifted between generations.
• Secrets as weapons: Personal history, illegitimate children, and hidden identities are treated as tools for coercion and negotiation.
• Humor amid political intrigue: Velin’s delight in Moravia’s embarrassing memories lightens the darker schemes and reveals the family’s familiarity beneath their conflicts.
• The limits of strength and knowledge: Velin recognizes that some mysteries—particularly Grandmother’s identity—cannot yet be safely uncovered.

Important Character Interactions

• Moravia and Karix: They discuss Velin’s discovery of Moravia’s past and acknowledge that Velin is now too powerful to challenge recklessly.
• Velin and Xuemya: They laugh together over Moravia’s youthful humiliation, strengthening their bond through shared amusement.
• Velin and Angus: They cooperate on the plan against Ignatius but also compete through suspicion, bargaining, and attempted manipulation.
• Velin and Ignatius: Their direct confrontation has not yet occurred, but Velin’s summons marks the beginning of the final trap.

Chapter Summary

Plot and key events

Ignatius, living quietly in his manor with his wife Clotilde, becomes increasingly suspicious that someone is monitoring him and preventing him from leaving. His suspicions are confirmed when a royal messenger arrives, summoning him to the palace. Believing that his son Angus has betrayed him and revealed something compromising to King Velin, Ignatius brings Clotilde along for protection.
During the journey, Ignatius reflects on the family’s long tradition of fathers and sons betraying or overpowering one another. He recalls how he once feared and eventually surpassed his own father, how Angus inherited the Eagle Count title despite being unable to oppose him, and how Velin later gained control over Angus after their duel. Ignatius suspects Velin has arranged the current confrontation and hopes that his status as Velin’s grandfather will earn him some consideration.
At the palace, Velin initially welcomes Ignatius and Clotilde warmly, deliberately engaging them in harmless family conversation. Ignatius repeatedly tries to steer the discussion toward the real reason for the summons, but Velin skillfully avoids the subject. When Xuemya arrives, Velin sends her away with Clotilde under the pretense of discussing official matters, leaving him alone with Ignatius. Velin then bluntly reveals that Angus has “sold him out completely.” He produces three documents, and Ignatius is visibly shocked by their contents.

Character developments

• Ignatius: His usual confidence is shaken by the summons. Although he tries to remain composed and believes he has no exploitable weaknesses, the documents reveal that he may have underestimated how much information Angus possessed or disclosed. He is also shown to be reflective, recognizing the recurring pattern of conflict and betrayal among the family’s generations.
• Velin: He demonstrates patience, cunning, and control. Rather than confronting Ignatius immediately, he uses polite conversation to disarm him, separates him from Clotilde, and waits until he has the advantage before revealing the betrayal. His behavior confirms that he is both politically astute and capable of manipulating family members when necessary.
• Angus: Though absent, Angus is central to the conflict. He is portrayed as having fully cooperated with Velin, continuing the family tradition of turning against one’s father when pressured.
• Clotilde: She remains affectionate and trusting, warmly interacting with Velin and accompanying Ignatius as emotional and practical support. Her presence initially gives Ignatius confidence, but Velin neutralizes that advantage by arranging for her to leave with Xuemya.

Significant themes

• Generational betrayal and family power struggles: The chapter emphasizes a recurring pattern in which sons undermine, overpower, or betray their fathers.
• Appearance versus reality: The palace meeting begins with warmth and polite family conversation, but the friendliness conceals a carefully planned confrontation.
• Aging power and vulnerability: Ignatius once controlled his family, but his past actions and secrets may now make him vulnerable to the next generation.
• Cunning versus strength: The confrontation is governed less by physical power than by information, preparation, and psychological manipulation.
• Family loyalty and dignity: Ignatius hopes his relationship with Velin will protect him, while Velin treats family bonds as secondary to the information and leverage he has obtained.

Character interactions

Ignatius and Clotilde present a united front when summoned. Velin greets both grandparents warmly and exchanges a silent, suspiciously cordial glance with Ignatius, each recognizing the other as a calculating opponent. Velin then charms Clotilde while frustrating Ignatius’s attempts to discuss the summons. By arranging for Xuemya to remove Clotilde, Velin isolates Ignatius and finally confronts him, revealing Angus’s betrayal and presenting the three documents that leave Ignatius stunned.

Chapter Summary: “Arrange a Meeting with Father”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Velin reveals that Angus has three illegitimate sons, information Ignatius had not known. He uses this secret to pressure his grandfather into supporting the Star-Prayer Kingdom.
• Ignatius briefly leaves to consider the situation, realizing that Velin has trapped him and that he must conceal the matter from his wife, Clotilde.
• After three hours of negotiations, Ignatius agrees to serve the Star-Prayer Kingdom for 188 years in exchange for Velin keeping his illegitimate children secret.
• Ignatius then demands that Velin arrange a private meeting with Angus. When Velin asks for further compensation, Ignatius refuses to add more years of service.
• Velin instead demands permission to send people to retrieve his three uncles. Ignatius recognizes that this was Velin’s real objective and reluctantly agrees.
• Velin uses [Reincarnation—Void] to place Ignatius in an illusion where he can beat Angus in advance, allowing him to vent his anger.
• Velin later tells Ignatius that Angus has reached the High-tier Soul Intent level, surprising him and making the coming confrontation more significant.
• Ignatius deceives Clotilde by claiming he must remain behind to help stabilize the newly founded kingdom. She accepts his decision, believing he is acting for the family’s benefit.
• Half a month later, Velin lures Angus to a pavilion and brings him into a demiplane. He disappears, leaving Angus face-to-face with Ignatius.
• Ignatius immediately attacks Angus for being an “unfilial son.” Angus fights back, eager to test his strength against another warrior of the same rank.
• Velin records the father-and-son duel using three Magic Memory Crystal Orbs.

Character Developments

• Velin demonstrates increasing political cunning and ruthlessness. He manipulates Ignatius through blackmail, negotiates for the kingdom’s benefit, and openly admits that he will pursue his goals regardless of his grandfather’s approval.
• Ignatius is placed in a vulnerable position and forced to bargain with his grandson. He becomes more determined to preserve his reputation and conceal the illegitimate children from Clotilde, while also agreeing to serve the Star-Prayer Kingdom for nearly two centuries.
• Angus is revealed to have grown enormously in strength, reaching High-tier Soul Intent. His willingness to fight Ignatius shows his confidence and desire to measure his progress.
• Clotilde remains loving and supportive, accepting Ignatius’s false explanation without suspicion. Her trust intensifies Ignatius’s guilt.
• Velin’s three uncles become an important future objective, as Velin secures Ignatius’s permission to send people to retrieve them.

Significant Themes

• Family secrets and blackmail: Hidden relationships and illegitimate children become tools for political leverage.
• Manipulation and negotiation: Velin treats family relationships as bargaining assets, outmaneuvering Ignatius while pursuing the kingdom’s interests.
• Duty versus personal desire: Ignatius must choose between continuing his travels with Clotilde and remaining to support the Star-Prayer Kingdom.
• Guilt and deception: Ignatius feels guilty about deceiving Clotilde but believes concealment is necessary.
• Generational conflict: The confrontation between Ignatius and Angus reflects unresolved resentment between father and son, now complicated by Angus’s transformation into a powerful warrior.
• Power and succession: The chapter emphasizes how strength, influence, and family connections shape control over the newly established kingdom.

Important Character Interactions

• Velin and Ignatius engage in a tense negotiation in which Velin holds the advantage.
• Ignatius and Clotilde share a warm but emotionally complicated exchange, with Clotilde offering unconditional support while Ignatius hides the truth.
• Velin manipulates Angus into meeting Ignatius, then observes and records their battle.
• Ignatius and Angus finally confront one another directly, turning their long-standing family conflict into a physical duel.