Chapter Summaries

Li Ang pursued Renier through the fleeing bandits after breaking their line and killing many of them. Renier tried to shelter behind Ryman and deny his betrayal, but Li Ang executed him, leaving Ryman furious.

• Li Ang broke the enemy infantry line, while Ansen and the recruits joined the pursuit and Renier fled toward the Aier River road.
• Renier directed the fleeing bandits toward the road junction, but Li Ang ordered Kloze to let them pass and chased Renier into the woods.
• The Lion Knight Order arrived and attacked the bandits, allowing Renier to escape the woods and appeal to Ryman for protection.
• Li Ang accused Renier of colluding with the Bacchus Empire, but Renier denied the charge and hid behind Ryman's horse.
• Li Ang knocked Ryman's horse aside, caught Renier as he tried to flee, and cut off his head despite Ryman's protests.
• Li Ang threw Renier's head toward Ryman and challenged him to consider whether a traitor still deserved to be called a Lion Knight.

Li Ang explained how Renier’s betrayal and the attack on Wheat Fragrance Territory were meant to isolate White Deer Fortress, while Ryman admitted his mistakes and agreed to help. Li Ang planned to delay the Bacchus Empire’s army by having it believe that Renier had captured Wheat Fragrance Territory.

• Li Ang rebuked Ryman for failing to spot Renier’s treason and for the Lion Knight Order killing the fleeing bandits, while the lord demanded to know why Ryman had entered his territory.
• Ryman explained that he had been investigating heretic-related human skins and came to aid after seeing beacon fires; Li Ang recounted how he had routed the bandits attacking Wheat Fragrance Territory.
• Ryman and Li Ang realized Renier had attacked to prevent reinforcements from reaching White Deer Fortress, and Ryman warned that aid from Long River Town would take at least three days.
• Li Ang told Ansen to extinguish Wheat Fragrance Territory’s beacons for two days and relight them on the third morning to buy White Deer Fortress time.
• Li Ang asked Ryman to use his cavalry to intercept enemy scouts, then revealed that he wanted the Bacchus Empire to believe Renier had captured Wheat Fragrance Territory and requested Ryman’s best retainers.

Li Ang deduced that a Bacchus Empire spy had engineered the isolation of White Deer Fortress and planned to exploit the scheme, while Amy prepared to defend the fortress against a vast enemy army. The chapter left Amy atop the walls, hoping her self-bestowed Goddess’s Kiss would bring victory.

• Li Ang concluded that the unconscious spy had manipulated Renier and others to isolate White Deer Fortress, then planned to use Renier and the spy against the Bacchus Empire.
• Li Ang sent the wounded Risadiran to hide near White Deer Fortress and blow a horn if the enemy breached its walls.
• Amy surveyed the besieging army and worried that White Deer Fortress could not hold out until Godric returned.
• Amy donned armor and a helm, kissed it, and took up a crossbow on the fortress walls, asking Goddess Eunomia to grant her victory.

Li Ang led an elite force to a hillside near White Deer Fortress, then impersonated Renier and entered the Bacchus Empire camp to claim credit for taking Ailedge. He reached Governor Justus, but his risky attempt to get close enough to seize a hostage had only begun.

• Li Ang and Ryman positioned more than two hundred men on an open hillside to intercept scouts and keep the Bacchus Empire from learning what had happened in Wheat Fragrance Territory.
• Li Ang explained his plan to pose as Renier and abduct a high-ranking enemy figure, but when the Lion Knights refused to lead the deception, he decided to impersonate Renier himself.
• Li Ang chose ten Lion Knights as attendants and left Ryman to guard the retreat route while he headed toward the Bacchus Army camp.
• Governor Justus heard that Renier had arrived with a white flag and allowed the group into his camp after learning the signal fires near Ailedge had disappeared.
• Li Ang presented the unconscious dead-faced spy as an injured ally and told Justus that Renier's men would keep Ailedge looking normal and turn away any reinforcements.

Li Ang posed as Renier to enter Justus's tent, then took the governor hostage and learned how the Bacchus Empire had divided its forces for a broad invasion. He planned to seize Livius as well, hoping that holding both governors would stop the siege of White Deer Fortress.

• Li Ang convinced Justus that he was Renier and demanded that the Empire honor its promise to grant him status in return for taking Ailedge.
• Li Ang entered Justus's tent, concealed a knife, and had his attendants help overpower the governor.
• Li Ang made Justus send his guards away, then demanded that the siege be halted.
• Justus told Li Ang that Kairos had taken cavalry toward Serenmis and that Livius now commanded the force besieging White Deer Fortress.
• Li Ang realized the Empire aimed to seize the eastern region and learned that Kairos might also be dealing with Baron Eldred of Seven Forks Fortress.
• Li Ang decided to have Justus introduce him to Livius so he could take both governors hostage and stop the attack.

Li Ang held Governor Justus hostage and tried to use him to reach Livius, but the Bacchus Empire launched a full assault on White Deer Fortress before they could act. After Risadiran’s false horn call forced the attackers to withdraw, Li Ang returned to camp with Justus and waited for Livius to confront him.

• Li Ang pressured Justus into cooperating and helping him get Livius into his hands, but the Bacchus Empire’s assault began before they could meet.
• Justus identified Livius beneath White Deer Fortress, and Li Ang kept him surrounded by his men while the battle raged.
• The Bacchus Empire captured the fortress’s outer wall and sent Imperial Gladiators against its inner defenses.
• Risadiran sounded a horn from the forest, convincing both armies that reinforcements were approaching and prompting the Bacchus Empire to withdraw from the walls.
• After nightfall, Li Ang brought Justus back to his camp and predicted that Livius would come to demand an explanation for Justus’s inactivity.

Li Ang forced Governors Justus and Livius to withdraw their troops, while Amy reflected on White Deer Fortress’s costly defense and the deceptive horn that had rallied its defenders. That night, she saw the Bacchus Empire army dismantling its tents and retreating, and ordered her soldiers to prepare to counterattack.

• Li Ang had Kloze and the other burly men seize Livius when he stormed into Justus’s command tent, then demanded that both governors withdraw their troops.
• Amy recalled killing an Imperial Gladiator and how the Horn Summon Ranger Corps’s prolonged signal had made the enemy retreat from White Deer Fortress’s walls.
• Amy connected the horn’s deception to the lord of Wheat Fragrance Territory and resolved to thank him and apologize for her business scheme.
• Amy climbed the wall at night, saw the Bacchus Empire troops dismantling their tents and withdrawing, and ordered her men to stand by for a counterattack.

Li Ang faced down Generals Agasong and Creon, whose troops had refused to retreat despite the governors’ orders. By exploiting the generals’ distrust of each other, he secured a path to White Deer Fortress with the two governors and his small escort.

• Justus and Livius told Li Ang that more than a thousand Bacchus Empire soldiers had refused to retreat, led by Generals Agasong and Creon.
• Li Ang demanded that the generals withdraw to Shield Wind Fortress in exchange for the governors, but Agasong countered by demanding the hostages’ release and Li Ang’s surrender.
• Li Ang suggested that the generals might want the governors dead and offered to exchange one general for one hostage, prompting both generals to retreat into their separate forces.
• Li Ang led the governors and his escort out of the command tent, then threatened to kill one governor when the generals did not clear a path.
• Agasong and Creon both ordered Li Ang to stop, and their troops opened a way for him to escort the governors toward White Deer Fortress.

Li Ang forced the Bacchus Empire troops to withdraw from White Deer Fortress by freeing the two governors and exploiting the political danger facing General Agason. He warned Amy that the threat remained and left to return to Wheat Fragrance Territory, while Amy asked him to become her teacher.

• Amy saw Li Ang approach White Deer Fortress with his griffin banner after the enemy forces fell into conflict.
• Agason blocked Li Ang, but agreed to withdraw his troops after Li Ang promised to release the two governors.
• Li Ang reached White Deer Fortress, warned Amy that the enemy might target Wheat Fragrance Territory, and told her to send Agason two barrels of ale.
• Agason smashed the ale barrels and withdrew, while Li Ang explained that the gesture could make his political rivals suspect him of colluding with the enemy.
• Li Ang told Amy to guard the captured governor and prepare for raids before leaving for Wheat Fragrance Territory.
• Amy asked Li Ang if he would be willing to become her teacher.

Li Ang returned to Wheat Fragrance Territory with Governor Justus and learned about Ryman’s ties to Godric and the Lion Knight Order. Reinforcements arrived to secure White Deer Fortress, but shocking news came as Baron Heriwold reached Wheat Fragrance Territory.

• Li Ang agreed to teach Amy deception after the war, then brought Governor Justus back to Wheat Fragrance Territory and asked Ryman to keep guarding the route to White Deer Fortress.
• Ryman explained that Godric had been his teacher and had once led the Royal Guard from which many Lion Knights and retainers descended.
• Two days later, Sarah returned with Ralph and several hundred mounted rangers, while Baron Heriwold and the Long River Town Sentinels followed.
• Ralph’s mounted rangers swept the area around White Deer Fortress, cleared enemy scouts, and relieved the Lion Knight Order as Bacchus forces withdrew farther south.
• A squire brought shocking news just as Baron Heriwold arrived at Wheat Fragrance Territory.

Charles told Li Ang that Count Oden had died after encountering a Bacchus Empire army on the road back to Brave Shield Fortress. The chapter left Charles and Lord Andrew’s royal guards at Seven Forks Fortress, where no sign of Oden or the enemy appeared.

• Li Ang remembered Count Oden’s plan to make Charles an Oath Knight under his command and grant him a fief, as well as Oden’s search for his estranged daughter Liwa.
• Charles recounted how Oden sent him away when a large Bacchus Empire cavalry force attacked their route near Serenmis.
• Charles turned back toward Lion City to seek reinforcements and met Lord Andrew and the Royal City Guard near Yalagar.
• Andrew led the royal guards to Seven Forks Fortress, but they found no sign of trouble and the fortress had not lit its signal beacons.

After Earl Oden was found dead outside Seven Forks Fortress, Charles went to Li Ang and reported that Baron Eldred’s account was suspicious. Li Ang questioned Governor Justus about Kairos’s movements and realized the Bacchus Empire might be pursuing a concealed two-pronged strategy with a larger objective.

• Charles returned to Seven Forks Fortress, found Earl Oden dead, and learned from Baron Eldred that Lord Andrew’s Royal City Guards had fought Oden before fleeing.
• Charles suspected Eldred’s account and, following Oden’s final instruction, rode to Wheat Fragrance Territory to seek Li Ang’s help.
• Charles told Li Ang that Eldred had treated him differently from the captured Royal City Guards and likely knew more than he admitted.
• Li Ang compared the dates of Oden’s death and the White Deer Fortress campaign, then questioned Governor Justus about Kairos’s route toward Serenmis.
• Justus said Kairos had headed toward Serenmis on January 5, leading Li Ang to suspect the Bacchus Empire had concealed a broader two-pronged plan.

Li Ang deduced that Eldred had arranged Earl Oden’s death as part of a conspiracy to seize Lion City, but the wartime situation made it nearly impossible to expose him. Li Ang chose to help Charles pursue revenge by making him a knight and taking him to Brave Shield Fortress to seek the Countess’s recognition before Oden’s funeral.

• Li Ang reasoned that Eldred had used the Bacchus Empire cavalry to kill Earl Oden, frame Andrew, and create an opportunity to take Lion City.
• Li Ang realized that the king and nobles might tolerate Eldred’s crimes while the kingdom remained at war, leaving him at risk of losing Andrew and Godric as allies.
• Li Ang asked Charles to choose between revenge and status, and Charles chose revenge.
• Li Ang made Charles a knight under his command and said he would take him to Brave Shield Fortress to reveal his identity to the Countess.
• Li Ang told Charles to give up any inheritance claim in exchange for the Countess’s recognition and help securing a surname before Earl Oden’s funeral.

Baron Heriwold told Li Ang that Ryman’s family might threaten Joanna’s inheritance and urged him to secure Charles’s surname before news of Oden’s death spread. Heriwold then agreed to help Li Ang use the detained Governor Justus to clear his nephew Andrew of the murder accusation.

• Heriwold visited Li Ang to discuss Oden’s death and confirmed that Oden had asked him to help Charles obtain a knightly status.
• Li Ang told Heriwold he planned for Charles to reclaim the Fletcher surname while renouncing his claim to Oden’s inheritance.
• Heriwold warned Li Ang to keep Oden’s death from Ryman and explained that Charles’s status as Joanna’s brother could protect her inheritance from Ryman’s family.
• Li Ang agreed to take Charles to Brave Shield Fortress once he had rested, while Heriwold said he had to go to Lion City over Andrew’s murder accusation.
• Li Ang proposed using the detained Governor Justus to help clear Andrew, and Heriwold agreed to handle the matter.

Charles gained the Countess’s permission to use Oden’s surname and pursue a blood feud against Eldred, while Li Ang secured her agreement to transfer Ralph’s Knight’s Territory in exchange for ensuring Oden’s murderer died. After the Bacchus Empire’s forces withdrew from White Deer Fortress, Li Ang dispatched his allies and prepared to investigate the situation at Seven Forks Fortress.

• Charles asked the Countess to recognize him as Oden’s son so he could avenge his father, and she allowed him to use Oden’s banner and surname.
• Li Ang asked the Countess to transfer the governing rights to Ralph’s Knight’s Territory, and she agreed on the condition that Oden’s murderer be killed.
• The Countess said she would give Li Ang Fletcher Village if he fulfilled his promise, and Charles set out with her for Lion City.
• Li Ang learned from Amy that the Bacchus Empire’s eastern army had withdrawn two hundred li from White Deer Fortress after General Agason retreated.
• Ryman left to arrange Oden’s funeral while Ralph took over Brave Shield Fortress’s defenses, and Li Ang planned to inspect Seven Forks Fortress with Amy.

King Ulrich explained to Philina that he had to keep Andrew hidden and issue a wanted order while the Bacchus Empire remained a threat. At Seven Forks Fortress, Li Ang confronted Eldred with Renier’s corpse and news of the Empire’s withdrawal, prompting them both to leave for Lion City by separate routes.

• Ulrich told Philina that he had issued the wanted order to preserve political support and keep the Royal City Guard and Seven Forks Fortress secure while the Bacchus Empire remained nearby.
• Li Ang arrived at Seven Forks Fortress and told Eldred that Renier had been killed by the Bacchus Empire.
• Li Ang warned Eldred that the Empire had withdrawn and that the Lion Knight Order was approaching the fortress.
• Eldred found Renier’s corpse in the bundle Li Ang left behind and could not retaliate with the Lion Knights arriving.
• Li Ang departed through the city gate, while Eldred escaped through the rear gate with trusted followers and headed for Lion City.

Li Ang used the Lion Knights and a forged-looking enemy letter to make Eldred and the Bacchus Empire distrust each other, disrupting their plan against the kingdom. Eldred was detained in Lion City to face accusations, while the Bacchus forces were left with no clear opportunity to attack.

• Li Ang brought the Lion Knights to Seven Forks Fortress and raised their banner to make Governor Kairos believe the fortress had fallen under royal control.
• Li Ang explained to Amy how the Lion Knights’ presence would make Eldred fear the king’s suspicion and make the Bacchus Empire distrust Eldred.
• Eldred left Seven Forks Fortress for Lion City to explain himself, allowing the Lion Knights to enter and investigate.
• Baron Heriwold accused Eldred before King Ulrich and presented a letter from Justus urging Kairos to abandon the plan and withdraw.
• After verifying the letter’s handwriting and seal, Ulrich ordered Eldred to remain in Lion City and defend himself, preventing his return to Seven Forks Fortress.

Li Ang concluded that Eldred had arranged Earl Oden’s murder, then encountered Oden’s daughter Liwa leading a band of bandits. Liwa revealed Eldred had manipulated her into drawing Oden into danger, and Li Ang agreed to help her bring Eldred down.

• Li Ang reasoned that Eldred had betrayed the kingdom, helped the Bacchus Empire kill Oden, and rushed to Lion City to explain himself.
• Li Ang left Amy at Seven Forks Fortress to organize scouts, then met Liwa Fletcher and her bandits outside the fortress.
• Li Ang disarmed Liwa and persuaded her to stop her bandits by telling her he had been Oden’s friend.
• Liwa confessed that Eldred had deceived her into drawing Oden’s attention so the Bacchus Empire could capture him, and said she had not meant for Oden to die.
• Liwa explained that Eldred had promised to help her take revenge on Oden, and Li Ang agreed to help her kill Eldred.

At Count Oden’s funeral, his son Charles challenged Baron Eldred to a duel of vengeance, and King Ulrich ordered the fight to take place at the city gates. Charles attacked desperately but was outmatched and wounded, while Li Ang looked for a way to help him.

• King Ulrich led Count Oden’s funeral procession through Lion City toward the city gates.
• Charles identified himself as Oden’s son and accused Eldred of murdering his father, then invoked blood vengeance and challenged him to a duel.
• Li Ang prompted Baron Heriwold to argue that the duel should happen before Oden’s coffin, and Ulrich halted the procession and ordered the city gates closed until the fight ended.
• Eldred accepted the challenge and faced Charles before the gathered nobles, while Liwa watched in disguise as a maid.
• Charles lunged at Eldred, who blocked his attack and wounded his left shoulder; Charles then fought recklessly while Li Ang searched for an opportunity to intervene.

Charles killed Eldred in a duel, avenging Count Oden with Li Ang’s covert help. In the aftermath, Charles received Fletcher Village, Liwa vowed to protect him, and King Ulrich reshaped control of several territories and fortresses.

• Li Ang used reflected sunlight and Liwa’s hidden iron spike to weaken Eldred, while Charles continued attacking until Eldred confessed to killing Oden and Charles killed him.
• Charles thanked King Ulrich, then carried Oden’s coffin despite his injuries as the Countess and Baron Heriwold watched; Li Ang proposed Fletcher Village as Charles’s fief.
• Liwa told Li Ang she wanted to protect Charles and keep her identity secret, and Li Ang said she could help Charles guard Fletcher Village.
• King Ulrich released Andrew but stripped him of his position, took Seven Forks Fortress under direct royal control, and assigned Rayman to its defenses while Baron Leofric oversaw Brave Shield Fortress.
• The Countess transferred Fletcher Village to Charles for one denar, while the chapter listed the kingdom’s revised administrators and territories.