Chapter Summaries

Roland brought his forces to occupy Double Gate Island and began restoring its harbor and moving people and workshops there as he prepared for a possible retreat from his other holdings. In Black Fortress, Elizabeth found her father’s hidden Spatial Ring and valuable supplies, while Roland tried to comfort her over her father’s fate.

• Roland split his army, sending Reff to attack pirate crews while he led the remaining forces toward Double Gate Island.
• Roland ordered the minor forces on Double Gate Island cleared out, then began repairing the harbor and relocating workshops, slaves, and freemen to the island.
• Elizabeth led Roland to her father’s secret hiding place behind Black Fortress and found a Spatial Ring concealed beneath a stable’s feed trough.
• Roland and Elizabeth opened three boxes from the ring, discovering high-grade Magic Crystals, warrior Magic Potions, and three powerful pieces of magical equipment intended to protect Elizabeth.
• Elizabeth grew sorrowful over her father’s preparations, but Roland’s reassurance and a brief argument helped lift her spirits.

Roland oversaw Double Gate Island’s restoration while Reff’s campaign brought in huge quantities of slaves, supplies, and ships. As Roland and the Mandy Family ended their raids in response to the eastern nobles’ arrival, Cyril sent a powerful Oroko Family fleet toward the Azure Sea Region to challenge Roland and restore the family’s blockade and smuggling route.

• Roland inspected Double Gate Island with Elizabeth and began repairing its docks and Black Fortress despite severe damage and a shortage of workers.
• Reff reported defeating the Bloody Pirates, killing Tross and seizing supplies and slaves, so Roland ordered the spoils sent to Double Gate Island.
• Reff’s forces conquered or plundered dozens of neighboring groups, bringing Roland 180,000 slaves, vast supplies, weapons, ships, and more than 800,000 gold coins.
• Roland and the Mandy Family stopped their half-month sweep of the Azure Sea Region when eastern coastal nobles entered the region in force.
• Cyril sent Daniel William and a large Oroko Family fleet toward the Azure Sea Region, instructing Daniel to advance carefully and restore the family’s blockade against the Beastkin Empire.

Roland and Leslie agreed to pursue a smuggling route through the Beastkin Empire to trade for resources and redeem humans captured by the Sea Demon Clan, despite the risks. When the Oroko Family seized islands near Great Fishing, Roland ordered Reff and several forces to stop their advance and defend the outposts.

• Roland gave Leslie half of the captured warhorses, then discussed Double Gate Island’s recovery and the territory’s finances with him.
• Leslie opposed expanding the army and urged Roland to abandon the outer outposts and focus on Double Gate Island.
• Roland argued that the outposts protected the route to the Beastkin Empire and proposed exchanging food and weapons for resources there, then using those resources to redeem captured humans from the Sea Demon Clan.
• Leslie accepted Roland’s plan after hearing that it could rapidly strengthen their forces and help them secure the Azure Sea Region.
• A warrior reported that the Oroko Family had occupied Ironflow Island and more than a dozen islands near Great Fishing Island.
• Roland ordered Reff and the Green-Haired Turtle Knight Brigade, Loyal Lion Brigade, Black Knight Brigade, Storm Eagle Knight Squadron, Thunderbird Knight Squadron, and Mage Regiment to stop the Oroko Family’s advance.

Reff pursued and fought Daniel William’s Oroko Family forces, then met their reunited army in a fierce battle near Ironflow Island. Neither side could claim victory, and Reff withdrew with his fleet toward Great Fishing Island.

• Reff used Edwin’s mages to speed up his fleet and caught Barry’s rearguard, slaughtering its soldiers before the remaining ships were defeated.
• Daniel joined several Oroko Family fleets and gathered the expedition’s forces near Ironflow Island, bringing his army to more than seven thousand elite soldiers.
• Reff and Daniel led their Sky Warriors into battle as their forces clashed, with the Green-Haired Turtle Knights helping Roland’s side hold its ground.
• Both armies withdrew when neither could defeat the other, and Reff threatened Daniel over the Oroko Family’s occupation of outposts.
• Chopper warned Reff that continued fighting would cause excessive losses, so Reff ordered his forces back toward Great Fishing Island.

Roland and Leslie discussed the heavy losses in the battle against the Oroko Family and planned to secure the islands and open a smuggling route to the Beastkin Empire. As nobles from across Terra Kingdom poured into the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands and fought over territory, Roland sought a meeting with Governor Javen to advance his plan.

• Leslie reported that Reff's forces had driven the Oroko Family from Ironflow Island, though both sides suffered heavy casualties.
• Roland ordered Reff to hold the northwestern islands and told Leslie to train four new brigades to seize complete control of them.
• Leslie reported that sixty-five Terra Kingdom noble families had entered the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands, with another wave of inland families expected.
• Leslie described conflicts between the Harrison and Mandy Families and the territorial advances of the Mastin and Beck Families.
• Roland asked Leslie to arrange a meeting with Governor Javen through Eric so he could pursue the smuggling route to the Beastkin Empire.
• The Harrison Family continued to wear down the weakened Mandy Family, while former human forces in other regions retreated and Cavendi and the Storm Pirates remained largely intact.

After the Human Alliance issued a three-year Truce Order, Roland’s risky strategy kept Double Gate Island out of the Oroko Family’s hands and let him expand his territory. He and Leslie began planning development under the new truce and prepared to meet Eric and Governor Javen about establishing a smuggling route.

• Reff raided the Oroko Family’s forces and occupied western islands before the Human Alliance issued its Truce Order, forcing the Oroko-led allied army to retreat and disband.
• Leslie asked Roland how he had anticipated the Truce Order, and Roland explained that he had counted on Reff’s blockade to cut off the Oroko Family’s supplies and make its army withdraw.
• Roland and Leslie reviewed how Reff’s recent conquests had expanded Roland’s territory to six large islands, more than thirty medium-sized islands, and over a hundred small islands.
• Roland and Leslie drafted an outline for development during the three-year truce.
• Leslie told Roland that Eric wanted to meet with him alongside his father, Governor Javen, and Roland asked Leslie to arrange the meeting so they could establish a smuggling route.

After the Human Alliance’s Truce Order halted the fighting, Roland’s territory grew into the Azure Sea Region’s largest power, and Eric told him the royal family was considering promoting him to count. Roland then met Eric on an uninhabited island and followed him to a manor where Garvin Jones was waiting.

• The Human Alliance rejected the Harrison Family’s appeal to resume hostilities and warned the nobles to obey the Truce Order.
• Roland’s territory expanded to thirteen thousand square kilometers and gained enough farmland and resources to support its three hundred thousand citizens.
• Leslie arranged a meeting with Eric to discuss Roland’s plan to address the territory’s labor shortage.
• Eric congratulated Roland on the royal family’s likely approval of his promotion to count, and Roland assured Eric their relationship would not change.
• Roland asked about Governor Javen, then followed Eric to the manor where Garvin Jones was waiting.

Roland negotiated with Garvin Jones for a smuggling route into the Beastkin Empire, agreeing to give Lava Island and one hundred thousand people in exchange for shipments every two months. The deal secured Eric’s future, though the route’s long-term success remained uncertain.

• Roland met Garvin Jones and offered him a viscountcy in return for a smuggling route into the Beastkin Empire.
• Garvin proposed shipments for thirty three-masted merchant ships every two months, then demanded Lava Island, one hundred thousand people, and Roland’s protection for Eric.
• Roland resisted the demand for one hundred thousand people, and Leslie proposed delivering them in installments over three years.
• Garvin required thirty thousand people in the first year, the same amount in the second, and forty thousand in the third, with at least forty percent healthy adult men in the first batch.
• Roland accepted the terms, and Eric gratefully pledged to follow his wishes.

Roland reopened the smuggling route to the Beastkin Empire and arranged for Leslie to lead a new trade expedition while he remained in Double Gate Island to manage his growing territory. Overwhelmed by administration, he appointed Elizabeth as deputy director and began deciding policy, including a fifteen-percent transit tax.

• Roland and Governor Javen agreed on the territory handover, and Roland arranged for a fleet to arrive in half a month.
• Roland assigned Leslie to lead a smuggling run trading grain, weapons, and Master-grade Magic Potions for strategic materials and Earth Giants, with Monk and Kailon joining the expedition.
• After Leslie's fleet departed, Roland sent Fili to test whether the Sea Demon Clan would trade population with his territory.
• Roland appointed Elizabeth as Administrative Department Deputy Director, but the workload quickly overwhelmed her and forced Roland to return to help.
• Roland reviewed the proposed transit tax and set the rate at fifteen percent.

Roland postponed Malcolm’s Storm Eagle breeding ground and struggled to find enough workers for the territory’s expanding islands and industries. Natalie arrived on Double Gate Island to negotiate a population trade, but her immediate interest was Roland’s offer to supply the Sea Demon Clan with high-grade Magic Crystals.

• Roland postponed rebuilding the Storm Eagle breeding grounds because territorial finances were tight, while promising Elizabeth he would revisit Malcolm’s request next year.
• Roland ordered the Third Loyal Lion Company to Giant Stone Island to mine ore in exchange for equipment, as he could not spare enough workers for Winston or the Department of Agriculture.
• Fili told Roland that Natalie had come to Double Gate Island to conduct a population trade, and Roland arranged a discreet meeting at a farmstead on West Island.
• Natalie criticized the crude meeting place, then asked Roland whether he could supply the Sea Demon Clan with Magic Crystals and magic cores.
• Roland offered to provide three thousand five hundred high-grade Magic Crystals every two months, and Natalie questioned whether he could truly deliver that amount.

Roland negotiated with Natalie over exchanging Magic Crystals for human slaves, but their talks stalled over the price. High Priestess Felicia revealed herself and reopened negotiations, leaving Roland and the Sea Elf Clan agreeing on a price of six hundred gold coins per Magic Crystal.

• Roland told Natalie that his Magic Crystals came from the Beastkin Empire, and they agreed on slave prices before disputing the crystals' value.
• Natalie refused Roland's demand for five times the human price and insisted on paying only one hundred and eighty gold coins per Magic Crystal.
• A powerful aura erupted from Natalie's companion, who revealed herself as High Priestess Felicia and took control of the negotiations.
• Felicia offered two hundred gold coins per Magic Crystal, and she and Roland haggled while Natalie watched.
• Roland threatened to sell the Magic Crystals to human nations, and Felicia accepted his final offer of six hundred gold coins per crystal.

Roland became a count, and Leslie returned from the Beastkin Empire with thousands of high-grade Magic Crystals and two hundred and twelve Earth Giants. Roland then sent Leslie back to the sea to trade Magic Crystals for human slaves through the newly established Sea Demon Clan agreement.

• Roland reflected on the lucrative but precarious trade route between the Beastkin Empire and the Sea Demon Clan.
• Eric arrived with the kingdom's decree and regalia, and Roland was invested as a count, drawing attention from nobles seeking marriage alliances.
• Leslie returned with 5,300 high-grade Magic Crystals and two Earth Giant tribes recruited by Sanita.
• Roland welcomed Tango, Reese, and their clansmen, promising them homes, food, clothing, and training in his territory.
• Roland told Leslie about his agreement to sell Magic Crystals to the Sea Demon Clan for six hundred gold coins each and asked him to exchange more crystals for human slaves.
• Leslie set sail for the Emerald Sea Region with Magic Crystals, while Roland called after him and promised to celebrate his new title when he returned.

Roland’s transit taxes disrupted trade across the Azure Sea Region, straining the Oruoko and Mandy families. Cyril sought a way around the taxes, while Joseph finally agreed to let Everton seek Roland’s help to save the Mandy Family.

• Cyril learned that the Oruoko Family’s supply routes were trapped behind Roland’s territory and rejected paying the transit tax or abandoning its foothold in the Azure Sea Region.
• After hearing about Roland’s sabotage of untaxed ships, Cyril ordered Daniel to ask Worn of the Brown Family to let Oruoko caravans cross Coral Island.
• The Harrison, Mastin, and other families blockaded the Mandy Family’s routes, while new transit taxes threatened its remaining detour through the Mystic Tide Sea Region.
• Everton urged Joseph to seek cooperation with Roland, but Joseph initially refused because of their past conflicts.
• Everton warned Joseph that the Mandy Family and its people would be destroyed if he refused help, so Joseph agreed to let Everton approach Roland.

Roland considered the Mandy Family’s request for an alliance and asked Elizabeth to decide whether to cooperate, while planning to demand valuable concessions. The chapter ended with Fili realizing the Harrison, Mastin, and Beck Families had sent young women to Double Gate Island to arrange marriages.

• Fili told Roland that the Mandy Family wanted an alliance to reopen trade with the continent, and Roland asked him to seek Elizabeth’s opinion.
• Roland learned that Leslie had traded with the Sea Demon Clan for more than thirty thousand slave households and ordered preparations for their arrival.
• Roland ordered Leslie to explore buying food from the Sea Demon Clan and reviewed the territory’s monthly supply purchases with James.
• Elizabeth challenged Roland about cooperating with the Mandy Family, and Roland promised to demand griffin-breeding knowledge, griffin cubs, warship plans, and the surrender of Scarface Henry and Cliff.
• Three merchant ships from the Harrison, Mastin, and Beck Families arrived at Double Gate Island, and Fili realized their young women had come to arrange marriages.

Leslie returned to Double Gate Island with over a hundred thousand enslaved people and a grain agreement, while Felicia planned to expose Roland’s trading to other human forces without revealing the Magic Crystal route. Roland welcomed Leslie with a lavish gathering that turned out to be a hall full of young women, and they rushed toward him as he tried to hold Leslie back.

• Felicia told Natalie to spread news of Roland’s trade with the Sea Demon Clan while keeping their Magic Crystal dealings secret.
• Leslie brought more than thirty thousand slave households and a grain agreement back to Double Gate Island, then ordered the population and grain transported to the territory.
• Roland arrived at the dock and pulled Leslie away from his waiting officials, claiming he had prepared a welcome banquet.
• Leslie discovered more than a hundred young women arguing in Black Fortress’s decorated hall and realized Roland had drawn him into trouble.
• As Leslie tried to leave, Roland begged him for help, and the women spotted Roland and charged toward him.

Roland escaped a crowd of noblewomen by redirecting their attention to Leslie, then inspected the army and ordered the Earth Giants formed into a separate brigade. He left Kailon in command of the new unit and told O'Neal to work hard if he wanted to lead a legion.

• More than a hundred noblewomen surrounded Roland, who introduced Leslie as a promising match and defended Elizabeth and the Black Knight name when the women disparaged them.
• Roland swore he would help Leslie reclaim the Oroko Family leadership, prompting the noblewomen to turn their attention to Leslie as Roland fled the castle.
• Roland went with O'Neal to inspect the military camps and criticized the Earth Giants' difficulty adapting to the Bulwark Brigade's formations.
• Roland ordered the Earth Giants withdrawn from the Bulwark Brigade and established a separate Giant Brigade, naming Kailon its Company Commander.
• Roland told O'Neal that the territory would form ten-thousand-strong legions the following year, then visited the Bulwark Brigade and Light Cavalry Brigade.

Roland learned that Leslie loved Princess Stella and agreed to handle the noblewomen seeking marriage alliances with him. The Mandy Family delivered Scarface Henry, whom Elizabeth condemned as a traitor and handed over to O'Neal.

• Leslie told Roland he loved Princess Stella and chose to pursue her rather than marry one of the noblewomen offered to him.
• Roland agreed to negotiate with the noblewomen's families, while Leslie promised to speak with them about cooperation.
• Fili reported that the Mandy Family had delivered the agreed griffin-breeding knowledge, six adult griffins, twenty chicks, and Scarface Henry.
• Roland and the others found Henry bound in a warehouse, where he begged Elizabeth for mercy.
• Elizabeth refused to spare Henry, and Roland handed him to O'Neal, who dragged him away.

Roland expanded his forces with griffins, profited from the revised transit tax, and prepared to pressure the Sea Demon Clan after it exposed their slave trade. As his wedding approached, he ordered invitations sent to noble forces across all four sea regions.

• Roland inspected twenty griffin cubs and six adult griffins, then ordered Leslie to establish a breeding ground aimed at producing one hundred Griffin Knights within three years.
• The Human Alliance reduced the transit tax to below five percent and banned repeated collections, while Roland continued expanding his territory and military forces with the profits he earned.
• After a second smuggling operation, Roland’s territory exceeded five hundred thousand people and nearly eight hundred Earth Giants, but Leslie reported that other forces were contacting the Sea Demon Clan about its human slaves.
• Roland blamed the Sea Demon Clan for exposing their trade and ordered Leslie to demand one hundred more gold coins per Magic Crystal in the next transaction, with the option to lower the price if necessary.
• Fili presented Roland with a wedding invitation list, and Roland ordered him to invite every baron-rank force or higher across all four sea regions; Leslie then went to notify the Sea Demon Clan.

As Dawn Day approached, Roland gave Kailon a Bloodline Potion to strengthen his giant bloodline and promised to supply one every half month. He then welcomed Reff and the returning commanders to Double Gate Island, praising their military victories and promising rewards at the year-end assembly.

• Roland instructed Yulia to organize the Dawn Day ceremony and reduce the Lord of Dawn's influence.
• Roland gave Kailon a Bloodline Potion, which purified his giant bloodline and strengthened him as he endured its effects.
• Kailon said continued doses could let him undergo a second Bloodline Leap within three years, and Roland promised to keep supplying the potion.
• Roland went to the harbor with Leslie, Elizabeth, and other officials to welcome Reff and the returning commanders.
• Roland praised Reff, Chopper, Malcolm, Alredo, Edwin, and the other commanders for their victories and promised to assess their merits and distribute rewards at the year-end assembly.

Roland reorganized the territory’s administration and announced an ambitious military structure of three legions, three fleets, a Flying Knight Brigade, and an expanded Mage Regiment. The appointments took effect as a future plan, with Roland insisting that the territory build toward controlling the Azure Sea Region while respecting its financial limits.

• Roland promoted and reassigned officials across the Administrative Department, appointing new ministers, island governors, and workshop leaders.
• Roland transferred Malcolm to command the Griffin Knight Squadron and appointed Smith to lead the Storm Eagle Knight Squadron, then reshuffled commanders across several brigades and established the Giant Brigade.
• Roland established the Imperial Guard, Loyal Lion, and Black Knight Legions, each with an authorized strength of ten thousand troops.
• Roland established a Flying Knight Brigade, expanded the First Fleet, created the Second and Third Fleets, and expanded the Mage Regiment to five hundred members.
• Fayez questioned whether the territory could afford the military expansion, and Roland said it would depend on its finances while setting full-strength legions as a goal for the future.