Chapter Summaries

After the investiture banquet, Lynn met with Three Rivers City's councilmen and ordered them to prepare ships for a coming campaign. Though his available fleet was modest compared with the Marsh Duke's navy, Lynn insisted that water transport would supply his army and said he had a plan to avoid a direct naval confrontation.

• Lynn's investiture awarded Honorary Knight titles to councilmen Kuno, Marcel, and Leon, as well as craftsmen Isaac and Linus.
• Kuno complained that craftsmen had received knightly titles, while Marcel warned him not to criticize Lynn's decision openly.
• Lynn told the City Council to gather every available vessel before the Quiet River reopened to navigation around mid-March.
• Leon reported that repairs would prepare one River Fortress Ship, about twenty medium transport ships, and around fifty small assault boats.
• Beron argued that Lynn should transport supplies by land and provision his army locally rather than risk the Marsh Duke's stronger navy.
• Lynn said he intended to conquer Golden Deer Castle without ruining its people and ordered the councilmen to prepare ships and sailors, promising he would avoid a direct naval confrontation.

Lynn attempted to mediate the war between Herman and Vasa after Lothar’s death, asking Hela to persuade her father to surrender White Eagle Fortress in exchange for safe passage. Herman rejected the proposal and accused the envoy of trying to make him surrender to Vasa.

• Lynn told Hela that he would mediate between Herman and Vasa and asked her to write her father a letter urging him to accept Vasa’s demands.
• Hela hesitated to ask Herman to renounce his claim, but agreed to send him a letter before lunch.
• Lynn instructed Kaliebo to send diplomatic messages to the Grassland Duke and Vasa, and to arrange delivery of Hela’s letter to White Eagle Fortress.
• Vasa welcomed Lynn’s envoy, discussed the changing threat from Otto, and sent a reply letter with the envoy to Herman.
• Herman read Hela’s letter, then angrily rejected surrender and accused the envoy of taking Vasa’s bribe.

Lynn's envoys reported that Herman refused to surrender White Eagle Fortress and that Samuel opposed Lynn's campaign for Golden Deer Castle, though Samuel ultimately agreed to stay out of the conflict. Lynn then inspected former Monastery estates and revealed that Kaliebo was already handling his plans against Otto in the east.

• Herman rejected Vasa's offer to surrender White Eagle Fortress and cursed Lynn for turning Hela against him.
• Vasa sent Lynn a letter explaining the failed negotiations and reaffirmed his treaty to avoid interfering north of the Quiet River.
• At Azure Wolf Fortress, Samuel offered to mediate between Lynn and Laszlo and send troops, but Leif refused to let their armies enter White River Territory.
• Samuel accused Lynn of seeking Golden Deer Castle as leverage to negotiate with Otto, and Leif threatened war if Samuel sided with the castle.
• Samuel let Leif return safely, and Lynn concluded that the Grassland Duke would remain an observer while he fought Golden Deer Castle.
• During an inspection of former Monastery estates, Lynn told Victor that Kaliebo was handling his plans to confront Otto farther east.

Lynn planned to expand east into Crown Territory by taking River Bend Fortress, while Otto celebrated his coronation as King of the North and argued with Sophia over where he should rule. The chapter left Otto postponing their disagreement as his carriage continued toward the cathedral.

• Lynn reviewed White River Territory's defenses and told Kaliebo that he needed an offensive strategy against Otto.
• Kaliebo reported that Crown Territory's nobles had refused or hesitated to surrender, and Lynn urged him to pressure them into submission.
• Lynn identified River Bend Fortress as the key to gaining a foothold in Crown Territory and planned to capture it before expanding farther east.
• Otto rode through Amber Harbor with Sophia on the way to his coronation and declared that he would conquer the North.
• Sophia advised Otto to return to the Southern Border and let Ludwig remain in Amber Harbor, but Otto postponed the discussion until the following week.

Otto was crowned King of the North and arranged for Southern Border nobles to fight the Northern Kingdom’s remaining powers while he planned to build a loyal Northern army. He decided Sophia would return to Ruy as he stayed in Amber Harbor, then summoned Arno to discuss serving him.

• Otto was crowned King of the North at Amber Harbor Cathedral and thanked Mayor Neil and the nobles who had helped secure his coronation.
• At the banquet, Otto urged the Southern Border nobles to campaign against the Northern Kingdom’s remaining rulers and promised the non-Ruy nobles lands west of River Bend Fortress.
• Otto explained to Count Meissen that he intended to let the non-Ruy nobles and Northern powers weaken each other before Ruy claimed an advantage.
• Otto told Count Meissen he would remain in the Northern Kingdom to reorganize an army of Northerners while Meissen returned to Ruy to help Ludwig govern.
• Otto told Sophia she would return to Ruy with Meissen, and after they argued, she reluctantly agreed.
• The next morning, Otto summoned citizen and mercenary representatives and asked Arno whether he was willing to serve him.

Lynn inspected his Wild People troops, watched Kalula spar with his armored bodyguards, and learned that Otto had been crowned King. He rejected Victor’s suggestion that he proclaim himself a duke and said he would declare himself king instead.

• Lynn inspected the four thousand Wild People recruits as Kalula directed their close-combat training.
• Kalula sparred with Lynn’s twenty plate-armored bodyguards, showing her speed and strength while they gained experience defending against her.
• Lynn returned to the castle after sharing lunch with the soldiers.
• Official Documents from Three Rivers City reported that Otto had been crowned King at Amber Harbor Cathedral, and Victor urged Lynn to proclaim himself a duke.
• Lynn refused to settle for a duchy and said he would proclaim himself king this year.

Lynn explained why he planned to skip the ducal title and establish himself as king later in the year, after expanding his territory and defeating Otto’s forces. At Torrent Castle, Yang learned that Laszlo was preparing to claim the ducal title and that Golden Deer Castle might be recruiting two thousand soldiers.

• Victor warned Lynn that declaring himself king too soon could strain his alliance with Vasa and the Grassland Duke, but Lynn outlined his plans to capture Golden Deer Castle, defeat Otto, and expand east before autumn or winter.
• Victor suggested Lynn take the title Marsh Duke, but Lynn rejected it as unlucky and explained that remaining an earl for now might keep Otto focused on Vasa instead of him.
• Lynn took Victor to visit the artillery camp in the forest.
• Lucas reported to Yang that small groups of desperate farmers from Oak County had been raiding villages, and Yang ordered him to send surviving prisoners to Torrent Castle for resettlement.
• Lucas told Yang that Laszlo had rejected Lynn’s offer of surrender and was preparing to inherit his father’s ducal title, while Golden Deer Castle appeared to be recruiting as many as two thousand soldiers.

Yang learned that Laszlo was recruiting thousands of soldiers, and Lynn concluded that war for the Marsh Territory was unavoidable. Lynn also asked Victor about nonhuman races from the continent’s history, hoping to learn whether Kalula might belong to one.

• Yang verified that Golden Deer Castle had recruited at least two thousand soldiers and might recruit as many as four thousand, then sent the intelligence to Lynn.
• Yang ordered Lucas to take five hundred recruits to the border for long-distance marching practice and exposure to combat.
• Victor and Lynn discussed the Marsh Territory’s population and military resources, and Lynn rejected the idea of persuading Laszlo to surrender without defeating him in battle.
• Victor explained that Laszlo had refused Lynn’s appeal to surrender and had insulted Lynn and Yagna in his reply.
• Lynn asked Victor about the collection of books on strange races, and Victor described four races that had allied with humanity and two that had fought against it.

Lynn investigated the disappearance of nonhuman races, discussed his plans for the Northern Kingdom with Chloris, and learned that Hella wanted him to save her father. The chapter ended with Lynn considering Chloris’s suggestion that he take Hella as a lover as February gave way to spring.

• Victor told Lynn that records described at least six nonhuman races and that sailors claimed Sirens haunted the Mist Sea.
• Lynn ordered Victor to continue compiling information, while Kalula disciplined recruits and enjoyed warm Honey Wine at the military camp.
• Lynn promised Chloris that he might formally marry her that year, and Chloris encouraged him to take Hella as a lover.
• Chloris told Lynn that Hella had written asking him to save her father, Valley Duke Herman, but Lynn said Herman refused diplomatic help and risked dying at White Eagle Fortress.
• Lynn said he would consider Chloris’s suggestion about Hella, and February arrived as winter began to give way to spring.

Lynn inspected the Quiet River and planned to exploit the early thaw to send troops and supplies toward Torrent County and Oak County before Golden Deer Castle’s fleet could move. He assembled his generals for the campaign against Laszlo and sent an envoy to Golden Deer Castle with a letter.

• Lynn inspected the loosening river ice with Three Rivers City’s merchants and ordered them to prepare ships and crews to depart as soon as navigation reopened.
• Beron warned that drifting ice could sink ships, while Leon and Marcel argued that scouts and experienced crews could manage the danger; Lynn decided to proceed.
• Lynn told Lao Er and Lao Si that they would join an expeditionary force of nearly seven thousand soldiers against Golden Deer Castle.
• Joseph hoped to capture Laszlo, while Hugh wished for a field battle; Lynn explained that Bronze Cannons were mainly useful for deterrence and aimed to draw Laszlo out of the city.
• The next day, Lynn ordered a down-and-out noble with connections to Golden Deer Castle to deliver a letter to Laszlo.

Lynn began moving his army and supplies toward Oak County while Laszlo reacted angrily to Lynn’s letter from Golden Deer Castle. The cavalry struggled along icy roads, and Anna kept Laszlo from rushing out to meet Lynn in battle.

• Laishek bade farewell to his wife, then returned to camp and urged his cavalry company to prepare for the expedition.
• Hugh led the Cavalry Corps west, but icy roads and damaged wagons slowed its march; Wade’s archers and Joseph’s infantry followed with similar difficulties.
• Lynn ordered transport ships carrying provisions and weapons to sail from Hezhao County, then set out with his personal guard and officials to catch up with the army.
• At Golden Deer Castle, Laszlo ordered the messenger carrying Lynn’s letter hanged, but Anna intervened and had him released.
• Laszlo vowed to lead troops against Lynn, while Anna warned that Lynn wanted him to abandon the castle’s defensive advantage.

Laszlo insisted on confronting Lynn’s invading army, while Anna warned him that Lynn’s forces and resources made the threat far greater than he believed. Anna offered a plan in exchange for Laszlo following her lead, and he agreed to hear its details.

• Laszlo argued that his elite cavalry and newly trained recruits could defeat Lynn in a decisive battle.
• Anna warned Laszlo not to underestimate Lynn, citing his conquest of the Wild Tribes, his longbowmen, his mines, and his large army.
• Anna explained that Lynn had countered her earlier efforts and killed the Black Fir Earl, making him Marsh Territory’s greatest enemy.
• Laszlo objected that he could not keep retreating or let the enemy ravage his territory, especially after the suffering caused by the no-man’s-land in Oak County.
• Anna promised that following her plan would be the last time she interfered and that she would protect Laszlo from public criticism.
• Laszlo considered Anna’s offer and agreed to hear her specific plan.

Lynn’s army advanced into Oak County and began its assault on Border Fortress, using Bronze Mortar Cannons to devastate its defenses. The defenders rejected Lynn’s offer to surrender, and the chapter ended as the first barrage destroyed the fortress’s towers and shattered their morale.

• Yang brought supplies by river to Winder City, then led them overland to the forward camp in Torrent County.
• Lynn briefed his generals on Oak County’s network of fortified strongholds and assigned forces to attack two castles while Hugh’s cavalry secured the army’s flanks.
• Lynn’s soldiers offered Border Fortress’s defenders mercy, protection from looting, and a tax exemption if they swore loyalty, but their commanders rallied them to resist.
• Lynn ordered ten Bronze Mortar Cannons to fire on Border Fortress, destroying its towers and sending the defenders fleeing in panic.

Lynn’s forces captured Border Fortress and swept through Oak County’s scattered strongholds, using Bronze Mortar Cannons and released prisoners to spread fear and encourage surrenders. As Lynn’s armies converged for the final advance toward Golden Deer Castle, Laszlo blamed Anna for the losses and demanded permission to confront Lynn.

• Lynn captured Border Fortress with few casualties, released the local recruits with food, and imprisoned the captured Court Cavalry.
• Lynn treated two Court Cavalry representatives to dinner, asked them to consider serving him after the war, and tasked them with keeping the prisoners from escaping.
• Lynn divided his forces, and over the following week his three armies captured sixteen castles, manors, and towns and took more than three thousand defenders prisoner.
• Lynn warned his commanders not to grow complacent as the armies gathered at a manor, while local defenders and settlements increasingly surrendered without fighting.
• Laszlo confronted Anna over her failed strategy, blamed her for losing territory and troops, and demanded that she let him stop Lynn before Golden Deer Castle lost control of Oak County.

Anna ordered Laszlo to abandon Oak County temporarily and wear Lynn down by harassing his supply lines, disrupting spring planting, and blockading the Quiet River. Meanwhile, Otto appointed Reiner and Harvey to lead armies north, assigning Reiner to Golden Deer Castle and Harvey to White Eagle Fortress by a coin toss.

• Laszlo urged Anna to fight Lynn, but she insisted they gather intelligence and avoid rushing into battle.
• Anna told Laszlo to let Lynn occupy Oak County, then planned to use the Black Fir Earl’s cavalry to raid supply routes and disrupt planting while a fleet blockaded the Quiet River.
• Golden Deer Castle mobilized its fleet, noble cavalry, retired Court Cavalry, and Citizen Militias as Anna prepared to delay Lynn and potentially fight him later.
• Otto appointed Reiner and Harvey to command armies marching north, and a coin toss assigned Reiner to Golden Deer Castle and Harvey to White Eagle Fortress.
• Reiner and Harvey discussed their plans to win territories for their second sons, with each claiming the other’s assigned region would be easy to conquer.

Rainer learned that Harvey planned to march next week, forcing him to move up his own campaign against the Marsh Territory. Otto departed Amber Harbor after entrusting Ruy to Count Meissen, while Lynn advanced through Oak County and received Hafen City's surrender and supplies.

• Rainer and Harvey discussed the difficulty of their assigned campaigns, and Rainer decided he could not delay his departure after Harvey said he would march next week.
• Otto bade farewell to Queen Sophia and Count Meissen, who warned him about Lynn, Vasa, and Arno before agreeing to protect Ruy and Ludwig.
• Lynn reached Hafen City after capturing strongholds and securing the allegiance of three Autonomous Cities in Oak County.
• Mayor Daniel welcomed Lynn, and Lynn camped outside the city while requesting its gate keys and supplies rather than entering.
• Daniel sent bread, cured meat, and wine to Lynn's camp, and Lynn ordered every soldier to receive two cups of ale.

Lynn received vital supplies from Hafen City and chose to pause his advance while watching Golden Deer Castle and the wider war. He devised a plan to lure Anna’s army out by retreating east and spreading word that Three Rivers City was threatened, while the young duke in Golden Deer Castle raged over Hafen City’s surrender.

• Lynn held a luncheon for his officers and Hafen City’s delegation, then learned that his army had enough provisions for about half a year.
• Lynn agreed to rest north of Hafen City during the muddy season and observed that Laszlo’s conscription order suggested Golden Deer Castle was preparing for something.
• Lynn and Victor discussed the siege of White Eagle Fortress and the approaching Southern Border invasion, and Lynn ordered messages to the Mirror Iron Earl, Andre, and Leon.
• Lynn proposed waiting another week or two before withdrawing east and spreading rumors that the Southern Border army would attack Three Rivers City, hoping Anna would pursue him from Golden Deer Castle.
• Lynn reasoned that if Anna refused to take the bait, he could attack Canyon County and undermine her authority among her followers.
• The young duke in Golden Deer Castle angrily condemned Hafen City’s surrender and insulted its citizens.

Laszlo and Anna led Golden Deer Castle’s army to confront Lynn, but Anna halted at a palace to gather forces and build a defensive line. Lynn began a staged retreat and spread rumors that Otto’s southern army was approaching Three Rivers City, leaving Anna uncertain whether Lynn was truly withdrawing.

• After Hafen City defected, Anna agreed to send troops and joined Laszlo on campaign, leading an army of more than ten thousand out of Golden Deer Castle.
• Anna stopped the army at a palace near Oak County and ordered it to camp while she assembled support, blockaded Hafen City, raided Torrent County, and waited for news of Otto’s advance.
• Laszlo urged Anna to move against Lynn as more cities defected, but she insisted on holding the palace and gathering intelligence on Lynn’s movements.
• Lynn learned that Anna had halted at the palace and ordered his army to dismantle its camp and send its supply wagons east to make a retreat seem underway.
• Victor arranged rumors that Otto’s army was nearing Three Rivers City, and the reports reached Anna and Laszlo two days later.
• Anna questioned whether Lynn was really retreating, since the timing of Otto’s supposed advance seemed unusually early.

Lynn’s feigned retreat lured Anna and Laszlo’s army into an increasingly reckless pursuit, while new reports revealed that Southern Border forces were advancing on Three Rivers City and the Black Fir Earl had intensified his attacks in Torrent County. Lynn faced a war on three fronts as Anna’s army closed in, leaving a decisive battle difficult to avoid.

• Anna agreed to pursue Lynn after her commanders urged her to act, but she advanced cautiously and sent light cavalry ahead to confirm his retreat.
• Lynn learned that Anna’s army was following and ordered his troops to slow down and abandon more supplies to lure the pursuers closer.
• Laszlo led the pursuit at full speed, while soldiers and commanders grew eager to seize the abandoned supplies and win battlefield glory.
• Anna warned Laszlo to remain cautious, but he insisted Lynn was routing and urged her to reclaim Oak County, Torrent County, and Three Rivers City.
• Lynn received reports that Reiner’s Southern Border army was nearing Three Rivers City, the Black Fir Earl had intensified attacks in Torrent County, and Anna’s army would catch him within two days.

Lynn prepared to lure Golden Deer Castle’s army into a decisive battle on the north bank of the Sami River, using the oak grove and river to protect his smaller force. Anna agreed to meet him there, but both armies began fortifying their positions on the morning of battle, leaving the confrontation poised to become a standoff.

• Lynn assessed the threats to White River Territory and declared that his priority was crushing the army pursuing him from Golden Deer Castle.
• Lynn surveyed the Sami River and chose the north bank beside an oak grove as the battlefield, then sent Anna a challenge proposing they fight the day after tomorrow.
• Anna and her generals agreed to Lynn’s proposed date; after discussing his terrain advantage and their numerical superiority, they decided Golden Deer Castle’s army would deploy but not attack first.
• At dawn on the agreed battle day, Lynn saw Golden Deer Castle’s soldiers building fences and digging trenches, while his own troops did the same.