Chapter Summaries

Ang’s forces defeated the lizardmen at Milajinbi, then braced for a prolonged conflict while he dealt with wounded soldiers and demands from nobles seeking passage through his territory. Yasi returned with a map of more than one hundred thousand Lizardmen Ovaries, including a vast ovary beside First Peak containing over three million eggs.

• Ang’s soldiers and cavalry routed the remaining lizardmen, and the officer reported 97,000 enemy dead, 2,176 human soldiers killed, and more than 3,100 seriously wounded.
• Ang learned that the Black and White Shield had protected Dana and that his own Enchanted Armament had been damaged, then ordered the dead soldiers’ names recorded.
• Ang sent Reconnaissance Airships to watch the lizardmen and told Aisha that nobles seeking passage through his territory would have to help resist the enemy or face war.
• Ang showed Aisha the Ring of Potent Healing and gave her and Quintina Magic Sense Guard Bracelets; he also arranged for 500 wounded soldiers to return home and promised to make Magic Prosthetic Limbs.
• Jennings and Janice claimed much of the usable land around Third Peak, and Yasi returned with a map marking more than 100,000 Lizardmen Ovaries.
• Yasi told Ang that an ovary beside First Peak held more than three million Lizardmen eggs, leaving Ang grave.

Ang prepared a two-front campaign against the Lizardmen, sending teams to destroy their Ovaries while he infiltrated their camp in disguise. After mapping the Lizardmen forces, he coordinated an attack that drew their attention toward the fortress.

• Yasi reported that Lizardmen were continuing to add eggs to a giant ovary, and Ang gave him a Magic Sense Guard Bracelet.
• Ang learned that Lizardmen squads were seeking reinforcements, then spent half a month in the magic laboratory preparing improved Magic Brooms, Shadow Robes, and supplies to destroy the Ovaries.
• Yasi and Puli and Isi and Ade led teams toward separate targets, while Ang told the officers to prepare for his absence and departed the fortress.
• Ang transformed into a Mountain Lizardman, entered the Blackrock Hills Camp with a deer carcass, and spent three days scouting its layout and forces.
• After Isi and Yasi reported reaching their targets, Ang directed their operation and ordered the fortress to clear nearby scouts and draw Lizardmen attention, prompting the camp to strengthen its vigilance.

Ang used explosive attacks to drive the Lizardmen from Small Plain Fortress, then lured them back into the Blackrock Hills and poisoned the region. The chapter ends with his legions sealing the western exit as the valley falls silent and appears lifeless.

• The Lizardmen sent ten thousand soldiers toward Small Plain Fortress, where Ang's forces struck them with explosive shells and forced them to retreat.
• The Lizardman elder gathered thirty thousand troops around the fortress, but Ang ordered Georgie to lead three airships in a nighttime bombing that left fewer than five thousand survivors.
• The elder retreated into the Blackrock Hills, and Ang's forces later left the fortress in batches and hid in the forest.
• Ang planted Mandrake Wolf Root Poison bombs throughout the hills and activated a sensory concealment array, leaving the Lizardmen unaware as the poison spread.
• Ang ordered the First and Second Legions to seal the western exit, and the Blackrock Hills became silent as its living inhabitants fell.

Ang’s forces destroyed the lizardmen in the Blackrock Hills, endured deadly Poison Fog, and burned the hills to prevent lingering threats. After returning to Small Plain Fortress, Ang organized further campaigns and reviewed the war’s heavy cost, concluding that preserving his army had made the expense worthwhile.

• Ang ordered the troops out of the northwest wind, but the black fog swept over the hills and killed nearly a thousand soldiers before the survivors escaped.
• Ang burned the fallen soldiers’ bodies, waited for lizardmen to emerge, and led the archers in killing them while the black fog remained inside the hills.
• Ang killed three Lizardman Great Warriors, then spent three days bombing the Blackrock Hills with incendiary bombs before declaring the scorched area a forbidden zone.
• Ang planned three legion routes to clear the remaining lizardmen, while the kobolds continued building Small Plain Fortress and the returning mage squads reported their missions.
• Ang healed the wounded mages and rewarded them with mental potions, then calculated the war’s losses and decided the high cost had been worthwhile because his main force remained intact.

Ang returned to Amnath City and organized construction of a railway from Valagaju to the Dampier Highlands, recruiting mages and establishing work sites in the Milaginbi Mountains. Three months later, his armies converged at Fifth Town after clearing the lizardfolk tribes, and the chapter left them astonished by the settlement Ang had built.

• Ang returned to Amnath City, reunited with Quintina, and told her that the lizardfolk would lose their ability to resist within three months.
• Ang and Quintina planned a railway from Valagaju to the Dampier Highlands, and Ang ordered high-paying recruitment of Earth Magic mages and Senior Magic Apprentices.
• Isi and Yasi selected the first qualified recruits while Ang expanded his airship fleet and sent magic furnaces to establish four rail-casting sites.
• Ang led a team to the edge of Fifth Peak, then ordered the airships to land and helped establish Fifth Town with thousands of kobold laborers.
• Over three months, Ang's three legions used explosives to clear the lizardfolk tribes and converged at Fifth Town, marveling at the settlement's rapid construction.

Ang sent Gesang to have the Earth Mages working on the rail line sign new confidentiality contracts and assess their trustworthiness. At Legion Station, the mages agreed, but their questions about the Milaginbi Mountains and the Enchanted Armament left them suspecting that Viscount Ange was far more powerful than they had thought.

• Ang learned that hired mages were speculating about whether he had taken control of the Milaginbi Mountains, and he summoned Gesang.
• Ang tasked Gesang with collecting signed confidentiality contracts and identifying trustworthy Earth Mages for long-term work.
• Gesang traveled by airship to Legion Station and introduced herself to its two Earth Mages as a member of Viscount Ange's Magic Corps.
• The two Earth Mages signed the new contracts, and Gesang's silence seemed to confirm their suspicions about the Milaginbi Mountains.
• After Gesang departed for Beta Highland Station, the Earth Mages discussed the unfamiliar enchantment patterns on the warriors' armor and reconsidered Viscount Ange's power.

Gesang returned to Fifth Town with the signed mage contracts and reported on the mages and the Enchanted Armament warriors. Back in Amnath City, Ange learned that the Garrison Camp had rejected wounded soldiers and ordered them admitted, promising to make prosthetics for them himself.

• Gesang completed supplemental contracts for the mages at every station and told Ange that three poorly equipped Hogg Mage Academy graduates had impressed her with their determination.
• Gesang told Ange that the Enchanted Armament warriors felt overlooked, and Ange said they would gain recognition once their numbers and strategic mobility increased.
• Ange returned to Amnath City and learned from Quintina that the Garrison Camp had turned away disabled soldiers from the Milaginbi Mountains campaign.
• Ange decided to make custom prosthetics himself after Quintina explained that standard prosthetics were unsuitable and custom production was slow.
• Ange confronted the Garrison Camp and ordered priority admission for all battlefield soldiers, threatening dismissal for anyone who rejected them because of their injuries.
• Ange promised to customize prosthetics for the wounded soldiers and ordered the overweight Camp Commander to resume training and lose weight within a week.

Ang returned to North Wind Territory to address military and administrative matters, secure winter supplies, and equip wounded soldiers with Magic Prosthetic Limbs. After Preston received Ang’s report claiming control of the Milaginbi Mountains, he sent a trusted seven-noble inspection group to verify it.

• Ang set a one-week weight-loss condition for the Garrison Camp commander and discussed training administrative assistants and claiming land in the Milaginbi Mountains with Quintina.
• Ang wrote Preston a detailed letter about his control and development plans for the Milaginbi Mountains, omitting details about explosive shells and magic bombs, and sent it through the Mage Association courier channel.
• Ang gathered winter supplies for 160,000 soldiers at Fifth Town and spent more than two months crafting Magic Prosthetic Limbs for wounded soldiers, while assuring them the former Garrison Camp commander had been transferred.
• Quintina launched an administrative reform pilot in villages and towns near Amnath City and the West Bank of Valagaju, assigning young trainees to constable and tax assistant roles.
• Preston read Ang’s letter and discussed its claims with Florence, who advised caution and verification.
• Preston ordered seven trusted nobles to travel to Amnath City and inspect Ang’s territory and report.

Ang received Prince Preston's inspection delegation and began a month-long tour of his territory, first showcasing his Enchanted Workshop. After the nobles tested the equipment in combat, they returned impressed and prepared to continue the inspection by rail.

• Ang verified Prince Preston's letters, welcomed the seven nobles led by Nathan Klais, and arranged for their stay at the Lord's Mansion.
• Ang began the inspection at his Enchanting Workshop, where the nobles tested Basic Strength, Flame, and Hurricane Armament and bought forty-seven sets for 500 magic crystals each.
• The nobles declined Ang's Enchanted Weapons, citing their preference for more refined craftsmanship, then chose to visit Fortress of Will to test the armor in combat.
• After a week of field testing, the nobles returned with guards who had adapted to their Enchanted Armament, and Ang took them by railcar toward the West Bank of Valagaju.

Ang took seven nobles on a month-long tour of the Milaginbi Mountains, showing them his territory and its defenses. The nobles grew interested in claiming the lizardfolk-free Dampier Highlands, and Ang agreed to take them there by Stampede Beast because Black Feather Rocs made air travel too dangerous.

• Nathan Klais and the other nobles saw Ganbu people working peacefully in Ang's fields and marveled at how much they had changed since the war.
• Ang showed the nobles his railways and airship, then guided them on a month-long inspection of the Milaginbi Mountains and its resources, patrols, and Magical Beasts.
• The nobles discussed the costs and risks of taking over parts of the mountains, then focused on the Dampier Highlands after Ang said scouting had found no lizardfolk there.
• The nobles asked Ang to take them to the Dampier Highlands, and he warned that Black Feather Rocs made air travel dangerous.
• Nathan agreed that the group would travel by Stampede Beast to inspect the Dampier Highlands.

Ang led seven nobles on a long survey of the Dampier Highlands, then returned to Amnath City and completed their purchases. After Quintina showed him a map of the Milaginbi Mountains’ resources, Ang decided to pursue more mineral veins and waited for Preston’s reply about land buyers.

• Ang took thirty-four people into the Dampier Highlands on Stampede Beasts, sold seven nobles two thousand Fire Gathering Rune Boards, and guided them across the region.
• After more than a month of travel, Ang ended the survey and led the nobles back to Fifth Town and then Amnath City, where they paid for their Enchanted Armaments and collected the rune boards.
• Quintina presented Ang with a detailed map of the Milaginbi Mountains and urged him to claim additional mineral veins; Ang praised her and agreed with her proposal.
• Ang told Quintina he was waiting to learn how many nobles under Preston wanted to buy land, and Preston later wrote that interested nobles would contact Ang.

Ang sold portions of the Milaginbi Mountains to nobles allied with Preston, then reported his conquests to the Empire and sought recognition of his territory and knighthoods for his soldiers. The Northern Council summoned him, tested his strength, and left his land claims pending verification.

• Ang set the Milaginbi Mountains’ land price at ten magic crystals per square kilometer, and nobles bought plots and signed agreements with Quintina.
• Ang brought battle reports and maps to Fortress of Will’s City Hall, where officials said the Military Department and Northern Council would review his claim to the mountains.
• Ang went to the Military Department to seek knighthoods and fiefs for more than four thousand of his soldiers who had reached Level 1 Warrior.
• The Northern Council summoned Ang, and Marquis Dean Charlie offered him a position after asking him to rejoin a council legion.
• Marquis Dean Charlie released a crushing aura against Ang, who resisted with his Qi force and emerging presence until Dean withdrew the pressure.

Ang’s claim that he had conquered the Milaginbi Mountains was confirmed after a two-month investigation, and the Wilderland Empire officially recognized the territory. While awaiting the results in Amnath City, Ang strengthened his Flame Armament and prepared to reorganize his troops into a swordsman regiment.

• Dean Charlie promised an investigation, offered Ang the Litchfield Plains, and accepted Ang’s refusal after Ang explained his troops lacked the resources to develop them.
• The Military Department announced Ang’s achievement, drawing noble visitors to his residence and prompting Jennings to reject accusations from former acquaintances that he had betrayed them.
• While the investigation team surveyed the Milaginbi Mountains, Ang trained Quintina in magical equipment, studied the Red Armor Swordsman Regiment Training Manual, and forged improved Flame Armament.
• Ang demonstrated the new armament’s Combat Techniques and discussed organizing more than a thousand Enchanting Warriors into a swordsman regiment.
• After two months, Military Department representatives confirmed that Ang controlled the Milaginbi Mountains and declared the land part of the Wilderland Empire.

After the Milaginbi Mountains became part of the Empire, Ang, Janice, and Jennings traveled to Fortress of Will for a public commendation. Ang was appointed Governor of Milaginbi and promoted to first-rank viscount, while Janice and Jennings also received promotions and rewards.

• News of the Milaginbi Mountains’ annexation sparked excitement among adventurers, who realized access to the region would depend on Viscount Ang’s permits and roads.
• Ang, Janice, Jennings, and Dana arrived in Fortress of Will, where crowds celebrated the explorers and Jennings and Janice proudly announced themselves.
• Ang used holy light to calm the packed streets, and the group continued to the Military Department for the ceremony.
• Marquis Dean Charlie read the imperial decree promoting Ang to first-rank viscount and appointing him Governor of Milaginbi, promoting Janice to second-rank viscount, and promoting Jennings to third-rank viscount.
• The Empire awarded the three explorers magic crystals, weapons, and other rewards, and Dean Charlie pinned the Pioneer of Exploration Medal on each of them.

Ang collected his reward weapons, secured approval for his knightly investiture list, and gathered medals and warhorses for his plans. The chapter ended with him arranging a hundred Black Scale Warhorses through a bribe after the stable manager initially refused to provide stallions.

• Jennings Chuanpei and Janice Gibor received standard fine-grade swords, while Ang chose the exquisite weapons Flame Punishment and Bonebreaker, intending the hammer as a gift for Dana.
• Marquis Dean Charlie offered Ang a broader role and suggested he meet his daughter, but Ang declined and joked about the risks of a traveling husband; Dean then confirmed the investitures had been approved.
• Ang and Dana collected 5,413 knight medals, and Ang placated the overworked clerk with a high-grade healing potion.
• Ang requested ninety young mares and ten stallions from the Military Department's stables, then paid the manager to arrange the stallions.

Ang inspected and secured a hundred Black Scale Warhorses, then gave Dana the enchanted warhammer Bonebreaker. At the Military Department’s ball, Ang spoke with Jennings and Janice about developing the Milaginbi Mountains, and Janice decided to form an all-female battle group.

• Ang healed the Black Scale Horses, calmed the restless stallions with holy light, and paid the administrator to care for the horses he had chosen.
• Ang gave Dana Bonebreaker, and Dana tested its striking power and its ability to restore his stamina from the earth.
• Ang and Dana chose to wear their Enchanted Armament to the ball, where their arrival drew the guests’ attention and Dana became the focus of several Noble Ladies.
• Ang told Jennings that they needed to share some information about the Milaginbi Mountains to attract people to help develop the range.
• Janice told Ang that Noble Ladies wanted to join an all-female battle group, then decided to form one herself.

At the ball honoring the Milaginbi Mountains’ development, Ang negotiated with nobles interested in buying land and invited them to an auction in Amnath City. Afterward, Janice and five founding members named their warband the Women’s Enchanted Armored Warband.

• Ang, Janice, and Jennings gave speeches celebrating the support and hardships behind the Milaginbi Mountains’ development.
• After leaving the dance floor, Ang told Brandon Morgan and Hubert Gonzalez that he would sell land under his name, then showed them plots and discussed prices and the railcar route.
• Ang invited interested nobles to Amnath City for an auction and a personal inspection of the plots for sale.
• Janice introduced Ang to the five founding members of her warband and asked him to name it.
• After Ang’s cryptic reply, Janice and the others settled on the name Women’s Enchanted Armored Warband.

Ang retrieved a hundred Black Scale Horses, learned that he had been appointed Governor of Milaginbi, and oversaw the sale of land across the mountains. After the railcar line was completed, he gathered his allies to travel to Fifth Town for the upcoming enfeoffment ceremony.

• Ang took the hundred Black Scale Horses from the Military Department's horse farm and returned with Dana to Amnath City.
• Quintina told Ang that the Northern Council had appointed him Governor of Milaginbi, and Ang ordered Temple to bring a list of people to Fifth Town and Bruno to the Archipelago Plane.
• Ang hosted nobles inspecting Milaginbi land, and 320 nobles registered as lords after buying one percent of the territory.
• Ang welcomed Bruno to the Governor's Mansion and told him he would have the chance to become a true knight on a greater stage.
• Temple reported that the railcar line was complete, and Ang told Dana, Quintina, Aisha, and the others to travel to Fifth Town for the enfeoffment ceremony.

Ang inspected the kobolds’ training in Fifth Town, approved their development, and assigned Black Claw responsibility for the Milaginbi rail lines. He then held an ennoblement ceremony, honoring his warriors and recognizing Black Claw as a knight for his people’s contributions.

• Ang arrived in Fifth Town with Aisha and their companions, then discussed plans to use the town as a military garrison and a base for future expansion.
• Ang inspected Black Claw and Coal Claw’s trained kobolds, approved their progress, invited the most talented to train with the soldiers, and assigned the kobolds to maintain and patrol the rail lines.
• Ang toured the surrounding region with his companions and spotted a nest of rare Silver-Gray Winged Eagles on Fifth Peak.
• Ang completed the expanded training ground and ennobled Bruno, Walder, Sanchez, Slock, Dana, Selen, Grom, and other deserving warriors.
• Ang publicly honored Black Claw with a knight’s badge for his people’s work, and Black Claw saluted as the soldiers applauded.

Ang reassured Dana and Favr’s group that their knight’s fiefs were rewards for their contributions, then encouraged them to develop the land and bring their families. As the Milaginbi Mountains rapidly developed, Ang turned his attention to organizing an Enchanted Armament battle corps equipped with the new Flame Enchanted Armament.

• Ang told Dana that his knighthood was earned through his own strength and encouraged him to develop his fief.
• Ang convinced Favr and the magic apprentices that their fiefs recognized their contributions, and they set out to inspect their lands and plan settlements.
• Quintina and Aisha discussed how the fiefs could draw families and workers into the Milaginbi Mountains, while Ang said he would organize an Enchanted Armament battle corps.
• Quintina asked to help with the new Flame Enchanted Armament, but Ang reminded her to focus on magical research and ice-element spells.
• Knights, nobles, and adventurers poured into the Milaginbi Mountains as rail transport, trade, mining, and new settlements expanded.