Chapter Summaries

Han Dong visited the Mechanical God Cult’s laboratories, where Mr. Newton sought his help with the Brain Regeneration Suicide Squad Modification Plan. The regenerated Fallen Knights were free of contamination but remained uncontrollably violent, and Han Dong examined the failed results.

• Mr. Newton showed Han Dong around the Sacred Ring and asked him to sign a confidentiality agreement about the suicide squad project.
• Mr. Newton explained that the project killed Fallen Knights’ brains, removed their contaminants, and regenerated their brains before replacing their bodies with mechanical ones.
• Han Dong learned that brain regeneration restored basic functions but left the knights’ consciousness chaotic, causing them to attack living beings.
• Mr. Newton led Han Dong to the Temple District, where the researchers’ attempts to control the regenerated brains had repeatedly failed.
• Han Dong saw the Brain-Dead Suicide Squad biting their lips, grinding their teeth, and slamming their heads against the containment glass.

Han Dong offered Newton a Resurrection Serum to stabilize the brain-revived Mechanical Soldiers, and Newton reported promising initial test results. Newton then presented Han Dong with a Unique-grade Holy Robe-style Power Armor, leaving Han Dong ready to try it after returning.

• Han Dong asked whether the brain-revival technology came from Destiny Space, and Newton confirmed that it did.
• Han Dong gave Newton a tube of Doctor West’s Resurrection Serum and offered to supply more if it proved effective.
• Newton sent the serum for clinical testing and took Han Dong to his office to see his custom armor.
• Newton told Han Dong the serum’s initial results were excellent, though further observation was needed.
• Newton presented Han Dong with a Unique-grade Holy Robe woven from Holy Demonic Steel and equipped with a micro steam power source, runes, and an anti-gravity circuit.

Han Dong saw the completed Mobile Sanctuary in Steam City, then learned that the Holy City had selected the Great Expedition’s commander and four generals. With Olivia Christian assigned to administer the sanctuary, preparations for the expedition were complete and its launch was imminent.

• Han Dong accepted and donned Mr. Newton’s Holy Magic Robe, then learned the Eve of Expedition was expected within two months.
• Newton led Han Dong to the newly completed Mobile Sanctuary, which successfully conducted its first test flight from the Holy Ring.
• At the Supreme Council Hall, the commanders confirmed the Great Demon as Expedition Commander and named Alex, Malone, Jeros Midaoum, and Xia Cromwell as the four generals.
• The council assigned Olivia Christian to join the expedition as administrator of the Mobile Sanctuary, completing the core leadership appointments and preparations.

Demps Martin secretly contacted his Mother through Elisa to discuss the Great Expedition and its leaders. Meanwhile, Han Dong prepared for the expedition and sensed something unusual in the library’s advanced Reading Room.

• Demps Martin entered the slums’ Underground Area and arranged a private meeting with a newly hired woman named Elisa.
• Demps cut off a Sixth Finger and used it to turn Elisa into a medium for his Mother to possess.
• Demps told his Mother that the Great Expedition would include six regiment commanders, including the Saintess, and warned her about the expedition’s target.
• Han Dong ordered Resurrection Potions for the Brain-Dead Suicide Squad and went to the advanced Reading Room to prepare for the expedition.
• While Han Dong read alone, he noticed an unusual scent and felt the Netherblood Skull Necklace react beneath his collar.

Han Dong met Commander Shaya in the Advanced Reading Room, where she questioned him about two unusual auras and examined his incomplete Netherblood Skull. Her Blood Resonance caused the room’s books to glow and unleash a crimson tide.

• Han Dong sensed a strange visitor whose presence stirred the Netherblood Skull, then saw a hooded woman take a seat across from him.
• The woman invited Han Dong to stay after closing, and they shared steaks and wine in the reading room.
• Han Dong recognized the woman as Commander Shaya and congratulated her on becoming the Fourth General, but she admitted she had little confidence in the Great Expedition.
• Commander Shaya identified the aura of a high-ranking demon tied to Han Dong’s Breaking Seed target and asked about a second, kingly aura from Destiny Space.
• Han Dong showed Commander Shaya the incomplete Netherblood Skull he had received from a chain event’s final reward.
• Commander Shaya touched the skull and triggered Blood Resonance, flooding the Advanced Reading Room with a crimson tide.

Han Dong and Commander Shaya became trapped in a library distorted by Netherblood destiny interference, where Shaya destroyed the invading monsters and Han Dong searched for an exit. Han Dong opened a Spatial Gate toward reality, but Shaya’s reaction suggested the apparent exit was not what she expected.

• Duchess Shaya explained that Han Dong’s skull had resonated with her abilities and caused the Netherblood world to overlap with the library, trapping them in an isolated space.
• Thirty-nine Blood Crystal Entities formed and attacked Han Dong and Shaya, and Shaya destroyed them with a single whip strike.
• A half-crippled monster tried to detonate itself, but Han Dong’s Hundred-Eyed Blood Hound swallowed it and stopped the explosion.
• Han Dong and Shaya left the Reading Room and encountered Netherblood Lifeforms emerging from a gigantic heart on the Penrose Stairs, which Shaya tore apart.
• Han Dong used his Lesser Demon Eye and a Void Tentacle to open a Spatial Gate through a wall, then told Shaya he had found the exit.
• Shaya stared at the gate in confusion as a pattern formed from blood above her head.

After Han Dong and Duchess Shaya escaped the library, Shaya explained the Scarlet Knight Order’s medical role and examined his damaged divinity-bearing skull. She offered two nearly impossible ways to repair it and promised to look after him during the Great Expedition, which was set to receive its final assignments the next day.

• Han Dong and Shaya fell out of their library exit, and onlookers saw Shaya land on top of him, sparking rumors that she was seducing young men.
• The chapter described how Shaya had transformed the Scarlet Knight Order from a nighttime vanguard into a medical force that treated wounded knights.
• At Saint Defile Central Hospital, Shaya identified Cairn as the skull’s origin and suggested resurrecting Roghorien or seeking the Blood God to restore it.
• Han Dong said he had obtained the skull after achieving a 100% Perfect Ending in his first True Destiny.
• Shaya promised to take special care of Han Dong during the Great Expedition and asked him to stay so she could learn about Scarlet Manor and the Blood Hound’s abilities.
• Shaya told Han Dong that the expedition personnel would gather at the Summit of the Holy City the next day for their final legion assignments.

Han Dong recounted his campaign against Scarlet Villa to Shaya Cromwell, while concealing key details and entertaining her with the Scarlet Count’s preserved consciousness. The Earl then asked Shaya whether the Holy City had a knight named Olivia Hall.

• Scarlet Physicians and nurses saw Shaya Cromwell drinking and laughing with a guest late at night, but could not identify who was with her.
• Han Dong told Shaya how he and Lucius had fought Scarlet Villa, omitting his identity as a lord and disguising the Deed War as a conventional conflict.
• Shaya was shocked that Han Dong had gone alone to face the Scarlet Count, and Han Dong explained that the Count’s pride and his anti-blood abilities gave him confidence.
• The Scarlet Count’s preserved consciousness appeared through a bloodhound on Han Dong’s arm, disputed Han Dong’s account, and revealed that Han Dong had borrowed power from the Crow God.
• After Han Dong and the Earl finished recounting the campaign, the Earl asked Shaya about Olivia Hall, and Shaya recognized the Hall Family name.

Han Dong and the Earl learned that Olivia Hall had been a knight who wounded the Earl with her holy sword before dying, and they visited the Hall Family crypt to investigate her remains. As they entered, the Earl sensed a connection and Han Dong felt pain in his wrist.

• The Earl explained that Olivia Hall had fought him and driven her holy sword into his body, but likely died from her wounds and Deep Corruption.
• The Earl told Han Dong that Olivia’s holy sword had altered his ideals and abilities, and asked him to find her remains; Han Dong agreed to lend him his body during the expedition.
• Commander Shaya took Han Dong to the Hall Family estate to ask about Olivia, whose brother Bakker Hall confirmed she was buried in the family crypt.
• As Han Dong, Shaya, and Bakker entered the crypt, the Earl sensed a reaction and Han Dong’s wrist began to hurt.

Han Dong learned the Hall Family’s Holy Sword came from a cursed ancestral bloodline and, with Commander Shaya’s help, absorbed holy blood from Olivia Hall and the family mausoleum’s other corpses. The infusion began evolving his modified Ghoul Arm, while the blood remained confined to his right arm by his Faceless Head.

• Han Dong questioned Patriarch Buckle about the Holy Sword, and Buckle revealed the Hall Family’s holy blood came from their ancestor’s blood transfusion in the Tomb of the Holy Envoy.
• Patriarch Buckle explained that holy blood caused pain unless its bearers fought evil creatures and that many descendants died young.
• Han Dong and Commander Shaya reached Olivia Hall’s sealed burial chamber, where Shaya rendered Buckle unconscious and urged Han Dong to investigate her blood.
• Han Dong pressed his wrist to Olivia Hall’s body, drawing her holy blood into a Crimson Cross on his arm.
• Commander Shaya moved the mausoleum’s other corpse cabinets and gathered their holy blood for Han Dong, triggering the evolution of his modified Ghoul Arm.

Han Dong evolved his Ghoul Arm with holy blood and gained a strange True Silver Holy Sword ahead of the Great Expedition. Commander Shaya missed the leaders’ gathering after sparring with him, while Han Dong stayed behind to recover and was told to visit her during the expedition.

• Han Dong’s Ghoul Arm evolved from Blue Quality to Purple Quality after he released the Hall Family’s corpses, and he summoned a True Silver Holy Sword.
• The commanders and Jeros Midaom gathered at Eternal Castle’s Throne Room before the Great Expedition’s departure ceremony.
• Death contacted Shaya Crumwell, who said she would arrive within ten minutes after losing track of time.
• Han Dong and Shaya sparred at Saint Defile Central Hospital, and their close-combat practice left Han Dong exhausted and made Shaya miss the gathering.
• Shaya gave Han Dong her office key, told him to recover and visit her during the expedition, and warned him not to seek out Marlon.

Han Dong met Lucius at the hospital and discussed using Scarlet Villa and its growing forces during the Great Expedition. At Throne Plaza, the knights were assigned to four legions, and Han Dong’s group joined the Fourth Legion before expedition power armor was delivered.

• Han Dong left the bat cave, borrowed Commander Shaya’s office to clean up, and ran into Lucius at the hospital.
• Lucius explained that he had completed his internship under Doctor Landen Castinoff and warned Han Dong to be cautious around Commander Shaya.
• In Lucius’s carriage, Han Dong explained Scarlet Villa’s limits and revealed that he had expanded its forces and might wage Deed Wars during the expedition.
• Han Dong and the other knights gathered at Throne Plaza, where the Great Demon Commander assigned them to four legions.
• Han Dong’s Clockwork Device showed that he belonged to the Fourth Legion alongside Lucius and his companions.
• Underground machinery raised sealed containers carrying the sponsors’ power armor for the knights.

The Expeditionary Force received custom Power Armor made by Steam City, and Han Dong learned that his own armor had already been obtained there. The chapter ended with Abel revealing his Violet Unique heavy armor, specially crafted from Black Dragon Fine Iron.

• Abel asked Han Dong where his armor was, and Han Dong said he had already received it through his private relationship with Mr. Newton.
• The Great Demon Commander explained the armor’s power supply, testing procedures, repairs, and communication support, while Steam City’s Mechanical God assistants joined the expedition.
• The knights authenticated and equipped their Power Armor, revealing amplification, technical, support, and comprehensive designs.
• Wenli received super-heavy amplification armor, Mia received adaptable technical armor, and Demps received support armor.
• Abel revealed his heavy Black Dragon armor, which Commander Kaimon had supervised and which could let Abel breathe dragon flame.

As the two teams tested their new Power Armor, Han Dong tried to avoid fighting and rest after his exhausting night with Commander Shaya. Shaya took him to the Eternal Castle for a break, though he suspected she had another reason for bringing him there.

• The knights tested their Power Armor in increasingly intense team sparring matches, while Mechanical God Assistants monitored and repaired their equipment.
• Lucius challenged Han Dong's team to spar, but Han Dong tried to avoid the match by offering to inspect the armor instead.
• Abel, Wenli, and Mia stepped forward, and the two teams began fighting with their armor's enhanced abilities.
• Han Dong slipped away from the sparring to find a quiet place to nap, but Commander Shaya confronted him about his connections to the Mechanical God Cult and Mr. Newton.
• Shaya told Han Dong the Great Expedition would soon depart and took him to the Eternal Castle to rest and see it before he might lose the chance.

Han Dong learned about the Holy City's royal family and refused Duchess Shaya's offer to recruit him, then rested while the Great Expedition's special forces assembled. The preparations ended with the Great Demon Commander pointing toward Londinium, where the expedition would face an Old King.

• Shaya explained that the royal family originated as the Zero Knight Order, an elite group of early Destiny travelers whose rules influenced the later Knight Orders.
• Shaya offered Han Dong a royal-family training slot with earl-level privileges, but he declined because he wanted to preserve his freedom.
• Shaya whipped Han Dong to heal his accumulated injuries, then left him to rest before the Expeditionary Force departed.
• The Mechanical God Cult and other groups prepared specialized units for the Great Expedition, including Battle Nuns, Fallen Knights, Eternal Night Wolves, Net Weavers, and reconnaissance forces.
• Imperial Dragon Riders joined the preparations, and the Great Demon Commander announced the expedition's objectives before pointing toward Londinium, the lair of an Old King.

Han Dong heard Mr. Black and White warn that abyssal demons had modified some Gates of Destiny, then witnessed the Steam Knight Order unveil Endless Energy, a machine powered by wealth. The Great Expedition’s departure was imminent, with Endless Energy set to power its armor, vehicles, and Mobile Sanctuary.

• Mr. Black and White warned Han Dong that the Great Expedition could last at least two years and that Gates of Destiny modified by abyssal demons might be dangerous.
• Mr. Black and White explained that abyssal demons had tried to enter Destiny Space using human-blooded kin and had begun interfering with Gates of Destiny.
• Han Dong secretly left the castle and returned to the plaza for the demonstration of Endless Energy.
• The Steam Knight Order revealed Endless Energy, a machine modeled on the financier and carried by four Abyssal Demon Terminators.
• The bearers fed gold, silver, and jewels into Endless Energy, which converted them into power and replenished the knights’ Power Armor.

The Great Expedition departed the Holy City in a carefully organized formation, with the Demon King's Castle and Mobile Sanctuary serving as key protections and the Eye of the Expedition coordinating perception and communication. The force began its first mission: travel to Milan and capture the former human city.

• The Holy City assembled 3,280 Expeditionary Force personnel into legions and support units for the march north.
• The army positioned the Mobile Sanctuary behind the Demon King's Castle, which would protect the force and serve as a core for future miniature Holy Cities.
• The Mechanical God Cult and other groups deployed the Eye of the Expedition to connect sensors, dispel illusions, and guide lost soldiers through darkness.
• The Expeditionary Force passed through the northern gate and traveled in vehicles through Gayn Forest, driving off or crushing the creatures there.
• The first stage of the Great Expedition began with orders to travel roughly six hundred kilometers to Milan and capture it.

Han Dong inspected Scarlet Manor after Dr. Swollen completed its preparations for the Great Expedition, then returned to the expedition carriage. As the force approached the Alagad Mountains, Demps revealed that their first objective, Milan, was associated with Mythical Body otherworldly demons.

• Five days earlier, Han Dong had Dr. Swollen transfer troops, equipment, and supplies from Stuart Manor into Scarlet Manor ahead of the Great Expedition.
• After the expedition left the Holy City, Han Dong used his deed to enter Scarlet Manor, where Dr. Swollen showed him the completed habitats, laboratory, and pressure-resistance potions.
• Han Dong returned to the carriage and told Demps that he planned to launch a Deed War when a suitable opportunity arose.
• Abel said the expedition was nearing the Alagad Mountains and that Milan, their first objective, was too distant for reliable advance intelligence.
• Demps explained that Milan was a former city chosen by the gods and likely held a high-grade deed and Mythical Body otherworldly demons.

Demps explained Abyssal Demon ranks, from Mature Bodies through Ancestral Bodies to Mythical Bodies, while the Scarlet Count reflected on his own failed pursuit of ancestral return. After the Expeditionary Force crossed the Alagad Mountains into a fallen Corrupted World, the Great Demon Commander announced an experimental Siege Battle at Perugia.

• Han Dong asked Demps to explain Abyssal Demon ranks after Abel and Mia reacted fearfully to the mention of Mythical Bodies.
• Demps explained that Abyssal Demons could reach the Ancestral Body stage by abandoning their fixed rules, self-awareness, and physical form to touch the truth.
• The Scarlet Count joined the discussion, recalled briefly experiencing ancestral return, and warned that blood brew could bind Blood God descendants to the Blood God's control.
• Demps explained that Ancestral Bodies could advance to Mythical Bodies by touching cosmic brilliance or imprinting forbidden truth inscriptions, making them threats capable of clashing with commander-class opponents.
• The Expeditionary Force crossed the Alagad Mountains and saw that the outside world had become a fallen Corrupted World.
• The Great Demon Commander announced that the force would soon reach Perugia and send about five hundred knights to launch an experimental Siege Battle.

The Earl warned Han Dong that Perugia’s Painter lord could mentally erode even powerful beings through the rats and madness in his artworks. Intrigued, Han Dong signed up to face the lord and planned to go with Demps while the rest of the team stayed behind.

• The Earl recalled fleeing Perugia after two days there and warned Han Dong that its Medium Deed belonged to a dangerous Ancestral Body called the Painter.
• The Earl described how the Painter’s artworks caused visions of rats to torment him and erode his mental state, even when he used blood brew to resist.
• Han Dong became interested in confronting the Painter and decided to sign up for the battle.
• Han Dong told Mia, Abel, and Wen Li to remain in the carriage, and Demps volunteered to accompany him.