Chapter Summaries

Black-robed One urged Nolan’s Council of Sages to help stop the Judicators from summoning Things from Beyond, warning that Aserkelo’s World Tree was at risk. Yellow Robe refused to aid the High Elves until he learned Joshua Anoroth was in Aserkelo, then agreed to go there with Black-robed One.

• Black-robed One presented the sages with twenty years of research, but Yellow Robe complained that the other sages were occupied with their own affairs.
• Black-robed One revealed that the Judicators were active around the world and that he had found their traces in the Deep Green Basin while Blue Robe went to the Frost Plains.
• Black-robed One warned that Aserkelo’s fall would let Things from Beyond break free, but Yellow Robe pointed out that the Frost Elves’ World Tree in Nolan was thriving.
• Black-robed One told Yellow Robe that Joshua Anoroth was in Aserkelo and had opened a tavern there after reaching an agreement with the sacred tree.
• Yellow Robe agreed to travel to Aserkelo with Black-robed One, saying he hated the Judicators more than the High Elves and wanted to take his apprentice along.

The Black-robed One returned to Aserkelo with the Yellow Robe and discovered that the High Elves had begun cooperating with Joshua while invaders attacked the Deep Green Basin. Elder Queitoan revealed that Arl’s livestream was gathering power to raise Aserkelo, but it was not yet enough.

• The Black-robed One and the Yellow Robe traveled through the Teleportation Portal to Aserkelo.
• The Black-robed One found High Elves peacefully gathered in the Hearthstone tavern and spoke with Elder Queitoan and Elder Sindonal.
• Elder Queitoan showed that invaders had wrapped Aserkelo’s foundations in energy tentacles, and said destroying the surface nodes had not stopped them.
• Queitoan explained that Arl’s livestream was supplying faith power to help raise Aserkelo, but the energy remained insufficient.
• Joshua spoke from behind Queitoan and said, “Not qualified. Next.”

Joshua auditioned High Elf singers as potential stars who could earn Faith Power to save Aserkelo, but none seemed able to rival Tylinn. He turned his attention to the Black-robed One, a Nolan Sage, and asked what price he would pay to save his people.

• Joshua asked Wen Naen to compare her abilities with Arl's, and she described her plant care and archery skills before singing for him.
• Joshua rejected Wen Naen as a candidate because her voice and style could not compete with Tylinn's popularity in Nolan.
• Elder Queitoan said Aserkelo could endure the judges' attacks for about half a month, while its Sacred Tree considered sacrificing part of itself to grow taller.
• Joshua complained that the High Elves needed a more distinctive candidate, then asked whether they had any boys suitable for singing.
• Joshua noticed that the Black-robed One was one of Nolan's Seven Sages and asked how much he would sacrifice to save Aserkelo.

Aurelian woke in Nolan and learned that she had been brought there to help save Aserkelo by winning human faith through music. After Joshua discovered her extraordinary skill, she agreed to perform and began trying instruments for her upcoming show.

• Aurelian woke in Nolan beside Wen Naen and feared that she and the others had been sold into slavery.
• Elder Queitoan explained that Aserkelo faced destruction and asked Aurelian to use her musical talent to attract human faith.
• Joshua told Aurelian she would perform onstage in Nolan, and Queitoan ordered her to obey.
• Aurelian asked Joshua whether she would be paid, then tried a guitar and played familiar pieces from Elven Poem on it and the piano.
• Joshua pointed out the Drum Kit and a score for her performance, and Aurelian prepared to learn the music.

Joshua prepared Aurelian and the Black-robed One to perform in Nolan, hoping to draw a crowd and build their popularity. Their street performance began with a familiar Elven Poem, leaving Joshua to see whether his plan would keep passersby listening.

• Aurelian and Wen Enna watched Nolan's bustling streets and the Faith Power gathered around the World Tree, and Aurelian questioned how Joshua had made humans worship it.
• Joshua asked Aurelian to perform, and she agreed after he challenged her fear that humans would capture the High Elves as slaves.
• Joshua and Ciri brought Aurelian and the Black-robed One to an unused Holy Church platform on a commercial street to perform for passersby.
• The Black-robed One began the show with a familiar Elven Poem, accompanied by Aurelian on guitar.

Aurelian and the Black-robed One’s performance drew little interest, and the Faith Power it generated flowed to Nolan’s World Tree instead of Aserkelo. Joshua brought Tylinn to join the performance, and her singing drew a frenzied crowd to the stage.

• The Black-robed One sang an Elven Poem while Aurelian accompanied him, but only a small crowd stopped to listen.
• Aurelian saw Faith Power rise above some listeners and drift toward Nolan’s World Tree, while people compared the song unfavorably to Tylinn’s singing.
• As the audience dwindled, Joshua arranged for the disguised Tylinn to join the Black-robed One onstage.
• Tylinn removed her disguise and sang into the amplified Source Crystal Stone alongside the Black-robed One.
• The humans recognized Tylinn and surged toward the stage, frightening Aurelian, who realized they had come to see the Frost Elf.

Aurelian and the Black-robed One performed with Tylinn, whose singing drew a crowd and a surge of Faith Power. After Tylinn left and the audience revealed the Black-robed One’s identity as one of Nolan’s Seven Sages, he began a new song, leaving the crowd silently listening beneath a vision of stars.

• Aurelian saw Faith Power rise from the crowd as Tylinn’s performance captivated Nolan’s people, though they ignored Aurelian and the Black-robed One.
• Tylinn ended the duet and left the stage as the growing crowd called for her to stay and demanded that the Black-robed One give up the stage.
• The Black-robed One’s former apprentice, now known as Black Staff Madam, introduced him as Wei He Si, one of Nolan’s Seven Sages.
• The Black-robed One asked the crowd to listen to his song, and Aurelian accompanied him as he began singing “A.”
• Blue and violet lights formed a starry scene around the stage, and the crowd, including the Black-robed One’s former apprentice, fell silent to listen.

Ciri used illusion magic to create a starry sky as the Black-robed One performed “A,” moving Joshua and the audience with the song. He then began “Viva,” a ballad about a fallen king that left Commercial Street silent.

• Ciri asked Joshua why Coldplay was the name of the song’s original performer, and Joshua explained it was a band.
• Joshua told Ciri he wanted to hear many more songs someday, while she continued shaping the illusion above the stage.
• Aurelian played the guitar score for “A” and wondered why the Black-robed One received Faith Power from only one admirer despite the audience’s enthusiastic response.
• The Black-robed One thanked the audience and announced “Viva,” describing it as a song about a great king’s life.
• The Black-robed One performed “Viva,” and the song’s account of a kingdom’s decline left the merchants and customers along Commercial Street silent.

Aurelian's performance of a song about a fallen kingdom stirred the crowd into generating Faith Power, giving Queitoan hope for Aserkelo. The faith gathered around the Black-robed One, but some of it began circling Aurelian too.

• Queitoan watched Tylinn draw a crowd and asked Wen Enna to thank the Frost Elf for helping Aurelian's performance.
• Aurelian sang “A Sky Full of Stars,” keeping the audience from leaving, though Queitoan saw no sign of Faith Power.
• The Black-robed One sang of ruling the world, and the song brought Queitoan to tears as he remembered Aserkelo's past glory.
• Wen Enna told Queitoan that Aserkelo was prosperous now, and he agreed before returning to listen.
• Aurelian saw the listeners' worship produce lights that could become World Tree energy, and several lights began circling her as well as the Black-robed One.

Joshua recorded two songs with Aurelian and introduced her and the Black-robed One to Magic Web Music, which could spread their performances to Nolan’s vast population. Aurelian prepared to return to defend Aserkelo, but Joshua told her to perform once more the next day before heading to the battlefield.

• Joshua recorded two songs with Aurelian and took a photograph of them after their session.
• Joshua told Aurelian that her performance had gained her over three hundred interested listeners, though her power remained far below what Aserkelo needed.
• Joshua gave Aurelian and the Black-robed One Source Crystal Stones, and both opened the Magic Web and Magic Web Music.
• Aurelian found the band Salvation ranked tenth and then ninth, while the Black-robed One used a Rune to replay their recorded song, "Long Live Life."
• Joshua explained that Magic Web Music could spread their songs to Nolan’s many residents and help them gain Faith Power without performing around the city.
• Aurelian asked to return to Aserkelo, and Joshua agreed to send her and the Black-robed One toward the front line after one more performance the next day.

Aurelian left the battlefield in Deep Green Basin to return to Aserkelo and prepare for an interview arranged by Joshua. At the interview, she encountered a mysterious middle-aged host with golden, vertical pupils.

• Aurelian and her squad fought mutated monsters in Deep Green Basin, where a black-robed war correspondent saved her from a giant python and urged her to return to Aserkelo.
• Aurelian used the squad's guiding rune to bring her injured companions back to the High Elf settlement, then went to meet Joshua.
• Joshua told Aurelian to bathe and change before taking her to Nolan for an interview rather than a street performance.
• Aurelian met the middle-aged host, who welcomed her and Joshua as old friends and revealed his golden, vertical pupils.

Joshua prepared an interview with Aurelian and Guardian Zolleta, drawing attention to Aurelian’s popularity as a musician before she went onstage. Aurelian began the interview determined to endure Zolleta’s provocative remarks and appeal to humans for help saving Aserkelo.

• Aurelian questioned why Joshua’s conversation with Zolleta counted as a performance and could earn Faith Power.
• Zolleta read comments praising Aurelian’s looks, leaving her embarrassed as Ciri teased her.
• Joshua told Aurelian that more than five hundred thousand people across two countries would watch the interview.
• Aurelian took her guitar backpack and joined Zolleta and the Black-robed One onstage.
• Zolleta remarked that he had thought the High Elves were extinct, and Aurelian suppressed her anger after Joshua urged her to smile.

Aurelian appeared on the Bronze Dragon’s interview show, where he challenged her beliefs about High Elves and their pride. She admitted that humans had created things she had missed, especially delicious food, and began opening up as Joshua encouraged her from the audience.

• Joshua and Ciri watched as the Bronze Dragon asked Aurelian why she had come to Nolan, and she said a friend had invited her and she was interested in the city.
• The Bronze Dragon read from the World Bestiary’s entry on High Elves and challenged Aurelian to deny its description of their pride and isolation.
• Aurelian defended the High Elves’ history but admitted she had once believed her people were superior to other living beings.
• Pressed to name what her people had missed, Aurelian confessed that humans’ delicious food had made her realize she had lived pitifully.
• Joshua offered Aurelian card packs and free movies if she spoke honestly, and she continued admitting how much humans had accomplished.

After Aurelian finished her interview with Joshua and the Bronze Dragon, Joshua took Ciri to the Mercenary Guild to prepare a recording that would help the High Elves learn who had saved Aserkelo. They waited for the interview to air while Ciri prepared magic to heighten the audience’s emotions.

• Aurelian discussed films with the Bronze Dragon, then blushed as she answered questions about romance and admitted an outstanding human could be a potential partner.
• Aurelian performed with the Black-robed One, and Joshua gave her a recording sample before sending her back to Aserkelo.
• Joshua and Ciri visited the Mercenary Guild and recorded mercenaries watching Monster World.
• Joshua asked Ciri about magic that could raise people’s emotions and explained that he wanted to record the audience during Aurelian’s interview broadcast.
• Ciri began preparing pale purple magic as they waited for the program to air.

As Aserkelo’s elders debated sacrificing their people to save the city, Aurelian’s growing Faith Power answered their prayers and caused Aserkelo to rise. Queitoan Elder offered her the title of youngest High Elf elder, but music and a huge image appeared above the city before she replied.

• Aserkelo’s elders argued over whether to begin the Tree Burial ceremony until Elder Sindonal insisted there were other ways to save the city.
• While resting, Aurelian watched her recorded interview and felt embarrassed by her conversation with the Bronze Dragon.
• Wen Enna came to tell Aurelian they were returning to battle, but Aurelian’s longbow broke as she picked it up.
• Aurelian became surrounded by Faith Power, and the white bird representing the Will of the World Tree absorbed the light as Aserkelo began to ascend.
• The elves knelt before Aurelian, and Queitoan Elder declared that she had passed the assessment to become the youngest elder in High Elf history.
• Music identified as “Long Live Life” rang through Aserkelo as a huge image appeared above the city.

Joshua told Zhi Ye he would negotiate directly with the High Elf elders and use forceful methods to bring the sacred tree into the magic net, despite the hostility of many High Elves. After he left the Hearthstone tavern, Zhi Ye followed him and heard an unfamiliar performance echoing above Aserkelo.

• Joshua gave Zhi Ye a copy of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and revealed that he had read her writing on the Immovable Library.
• Arl called Joshua a good person, while Zhi Ye also described him as kind.
• Joshua explained that he wanted the sacred tree to join the magic net and would focus on High Elves willing to accept him, regardless of what the others thought.
• Joshua left the tavern with Catalina, and Zhi Ye dragged Arl after him toward the outskirts of the Forgotten Land.
• Zhi Ye heard music over Aserkelo and ran with Arl toward the High Elves' territory to see the performance Joshua had mentioned.

Zhi Ye and Arl arrived in Aserkelo as Aurelian’s performance sparked a miracle, but a projected recording exposed her work in Nolan. Joshua then appeared to offer help feeding the Sacred Tree, and Elder Queitoan sided with him against the other High Elves.

• Zhi Ye and Arl entered Aserkelo’s grand hall, where the elders gathered around the radiant Aurelian.
• Arl teased Aurelian about performing in Nolan, and an elder asked her to explain what she had done there.
• A projection showed Aurelian playing guitar beside the Black-robed One as the High Elves listened to “Long Live Life.”
• Joshua arrived with Ciri and Catalina and said he had come to find a way to feed the Sacred Tree.
• A hot-tempered elder ordered the Patrollers to seize Joshua, but silver-white barriers stopped them.
• Elder Queitoan declared his loyalty to the Sacred Tree and the future of their kin, then stood beside Joshua.

Joshua confronted the High Elf elders over their rejection of humans, then used force and a recruitment pitch to press Aserkelo’s people to become saviors. Two hostile elders broke free from his ice restraints, leaving Joshua to seek another way to reason with them.

• Elder Queitoan passionately argued against the other elders’ prejudice, but one elder shamed him for sending Aurelian to please humans.
• When an elder used Chaos Magic Power and insulted Joshua, Joshua froze him in place and punched him until Ciri stopped him.
• Joshua challenged Aurelian to see her performance in Nolan as something shameful, while the recorded interview played before the gathered High Elves.
• Joshua explained that Aserkelo had survived past its prophesied fall because of the Faith Power and invited the High Elves to join the Hearthstone tavern as saviors.
• Ciri questioned Joshua’s sudden violence, and Joshua saw that two opposing elders had escaped the ice restraints and were glaring at him.

Joshua entered Aserkelo’s sacred ground to connect with its World Tree and build a new server, but his first attempt plunged him into a strange space that resembled the Bone Duke’s castle. He returned to the courtyard and touched the tree again, determined to continue.

• Enya overruled the other High Elves and let Joshua follow Arl to the Sacred Tree’s holy ground.
• Ciri passed through the Sacred Tree’s barrier, pulled Joshua in after her, and found the World Tree waiting in the courtyard.
• Joshua touched the tree and told it he would keep the Hearthstone tavern open while working to change the High Elves’ prejudice.
• Joshua entered the Sacred Tree’s pale white space, where he met a gigantic white bird and began constructing a server.
• Cracks appeared in the space, and Joshua suddenly found himself inside what looked like the Bone Duke’s castle before returning to the courtyard.
• The white bird said Joshua had touched the core of the world, and Joshua touched the World Tree again to continue programming.

Laweier’s scouting party was captured by Black Robes, and Heart Lock used her magic to consume their emotions. After Laweier resisted her nightmare and disguised himself among the captors, Heart Lock took his World Tree Leaf pendant and experienced joy for the first time.

• Laweier and his scouting party were ambushed and captured by Black Robes, including his new recruit Johnny Sen.
• Heart Lock used a Rune-covered hand and a Source Crystal Stone to trap the scouts in visions and drain their emotions.
• Laweier saw his dead older brother in a nightmare, but the World Tree Leaf pendant helped him return to the snowfield.
• Laweier pretended to join the Black Robes after Heart Lock took his pendant, planning to seek reinforcements later.
• Heart Lock activated the magic on her arm while staring at the pendant and experienced joy in a vision of a young girl dancing at a ball.