Chapter Summaries

Sordil healed the wounded from the battle and learned that Yesveta, Mevajena, and the Sage Dragon had let the three assassins escape. He then discussed speeding up the advance against Kushen, while Pallet persuaded Krisha and Lutis to form an alliance against the Erus Kingdom.

• Yesveta asked Sordil to save his wounded soldiers, and Mevajena used the Sage Dragon’s reassurance to request treatment for her own injured men.
• Sordil healed the wounded from all three sides, restoring their lost limbs, and urged them to grow stronger.
• Yesveta admitted that the three assassins had escaped, and Sordil laughed at the group’s promises to catch them next time.
• Sordil called Yesveta, Mevajena, and the Sage Dragon back and outlined a plan to accelerate the offensive against Kushen.
• Pallet warned Krisha Veronica and Lutis that the Erus Kingdom might target them next, then secured their agreement to form an alliance.

The King of Stellara ordered the development of the Terror Knights after learning Bosco's new king was Sordil Ornn, then monitored Erus's growing threat. By March X767, Erus appeared poised to attack, and the King tasked the Minister of Intelligence with seeking help from Cushen as Stellara prepared its limited force of Terror Knights.

• The King ordered his intelligence officer to verify that Sordil Ornn had succeeded Bosco's throne and instructed the Chancellor to prioritize developing the Terror Knights.
• The Minister of Intelligence confirmed Sordil Ornn's identity, delivered the roster of the Thirteen Palace Guardian Heavenly Kings, and received orders to watch Bosco closely.
• After learning Erus had invaded Milantes, the King had Minister of Intelligence Luo Er executed for the delayed report, then celebrated the Chancellor's news that the Terror Knights had been developed.
• The Minister of Intelligence reported that Erus's forces had marched to the border, and he and the Chancellor warned the King that Erus might target Stellara and Cushen rather than Auriel.
• The Chancellor reported that Stellara had produced two thousand Terror Knights and had another thousand nearing completion, and the King assigned the Minister of Intelligence to seek support from Cushen.

Ralori agreed to form an alliance with Stellara after its envoy proposed joining forces against Erus. At the Erus camp, Old Suo learned Stellara’s army had arrived near Kushen City and began revealing the kingdom’s hidden history, blaming Diphiya for making it a threat.

• Ralori rejected the chancellor’s alliance proposal until Stellara’s envoy, Grad Vushel, arrived and offered to join forces against Erus.
• Old Suo told the Heavenly Kings that his forces had survived the Cabria attack without lasting losses and discussed how to take Kushen City.
• Scouts reported a large unknown army south of Kushen City, and the commanders suspected it belonged to Stellara.
• Old Suo warned that Stellara was more dangerous than it appeared and accused Diphiya of contributing to the problem.
• Old Suo began explaining Stellara’s hidden history and exposing Diphiya’s past actions to the assembled commanders.

Old Suo revealed that Diphiya’s actions had helped create the Kingdom of Stellara, then proposed eliminating the enemy as the conflict escalated. As armies gathered around Kushen City, Gerard explained why Stellara had sent only three thousand Terror Knights, while Old Suo prepared a strategy to draw the enemy into battle.

• Old Suo told Diphiya that Yanimus had survived her attack four hundred years earlier by possessing a dying girl, and Diphiya agreed to help deal with the resulting threat.
• Old Suo clarified that he had only explained Stellara’s connection to Diphiya, then declared that eliminating the enemy was the best solution.
• Ralori coordinated with Pallet against King Erus and learned that Stellara had sent only three thousand Terror Knights, prompting him to question its loyalty.
• Gerard assured Ralori that Stellara truly intended to resist Erus and began explaining the Terror Knights’ abilities.
• After learning that more enemy legions had arrived near Kushen City, Old Suo concealed his plan to use Cao Cao’s strategy, and Diphiya asked him to reveal his latest trick.

His Majesty the King’s teasing of Divine Constable Di caused a chaotic tent collapse and earned him a beating, after which he explained his plan to launch a surprise attack on Yanimus. The army prepared to wait until the enemy concentrated its forces, with the King outlining additional measures to strengthen morale and weaken the enemy’s will.

• His Majesty the King provoked Divine Constable Di, whose wild charge and the ensuing friendly fire knocked down Mevajena Fortress and collapsed the tent.
• Kaldiz and Sage Dragon tried to report the King’s antics, but he stole their Communication Magic Crystal before surrendering when Kaldiz revealed he had a spare.
• Divine Constable Di and Mevajena Fortress woke up, joined forces against Sordil, and beat him while Sage Dragon directed them to keep it brief.
• At the rebuilt army tent, His Majesty the King explained that he planned to wait for Yanimus to gather its forces before launching a surprise attack, likely by the day after tomorrow.
• The King said the army would use the waiting period to prepare measures that would bolster its morale and weaken the enemy’s will to fight.

The Erus forces drew the Auriel Legion into a trap while the Heavenly Kings prepared a coordinated surprise attack on the Southern Alliance camp outside Kushen City. The attack overwhelmed the camp, and the Heavenly Kings ended the chapter surveying their captured enemy forces.

• The Heavenly Kings debated how to respond to Auriel troop movements and agreed to avoid reckless action so the southern front would not collapse.
• Old Suo confirmed that repeated nighttime charges had worn down Gerard’s forces without exposing the plan, then assigned troops to attack, encircle, and support the enemy camp at dusk.
• Gerard ignored repeated warnings about the approaching attack and stayed beneath his quilts as the battle noise grew louder.
• An explosion destroyed Gerard’s tent, and he found the camp ruined, its soldiers dead or captured, and himself surrounded by Heavenly King Guard members.
• Gerard wet himself in fear and was taken away to change clothes while the Heavenly Kings gathered to inspect their captured forces.

After the Terror Knights were destroyed, Ralori learned that Erus’s army had wiped out his forces and prepared to surrender Kushen City. Old Suo later investigated the wreckage, but Diphiya and Mevajena were both punished after the witnesses failed to identify the culprit.

• Mevajena destroyed a Terror Knight, and the others scattered to inspect the area, tally casualties, and check the prisoner camp while Diphiya tried to leave.
• Mevajena grabbed Diphiya and threatened her into taking the blame, but Diphiya escaped when Mevajena froze in shock.
• The Prime Minister told Ralori that Erus’s army had destroyed the troops outside Kushen City and that Gerard and the Terror Knight Legion had not fought, so Ralori ordered a letter of surrender prepared.
• Old Suo questioned Diphiya and Mevajena about the shattered Terror Knights, but Heradi claimed not to know what happened, so Old Suo punished both suspects.
• Old Suo ordered Diphiya and Mevajena to guard the Terror Knights, cook for the army, care for its warhorses, and face further penalties if they failed.

Chancellor Weihel brought the Kingdom of Cushen’s surrender letter to King Erus, but Heradi and the Heavenly Kings suspected the offer was a stalling tactic. The chapter ended with the court demanding war after Weihel failed to convince them that Cushen’s surrender was genuine.

• King Erus ordered Heradi to escort Weihel into camp and stall for time while the army tent was prepared.
• Heradi led Weihel on a long tour of the camp, exhausting him before bringing him to the Main army tent.
• King Erus and the Heavenly Kings challenged Weihel’s claim that Cushen intended to surrender, pointing out that its king and ministers were absent.
• Weihel explained that the king was preparing the royal residence and treasury, while the ministers were scattered across the city.
• The Heavenly Kings accused Cushen of faking its surrender because Weihel had brought no royal regalia or seals, and Heradi called for the Kingdom of Cushen to be crushed.

King Erus’s forces forced the Kingdom of Cushen to complete its surrender, then entered Kushen City and eliminated its defenders. Later, the Kingdom of Stellara learned Erus’s warships had reached its waters, and Yanimus ordered preparations for battle before collapsing in the palace.

• Heradi accused the chancellor of plotting an ambush, but Old Suo arranged for a letter to be sent to Ralori instead.
• Ralori accepted that the Kingdom of Cushen had no choice but to surrender and brought its ministers and royal regalia to Kushen City’s North Gate.
• Old Suo accepted Ralori’s surrender and sent him and his ministers to Philiers while Heradi led the Royal Knights into the city and reported that they had dealt with everyone there.
• The Defense Minister informed Yanimus that Erus’s warships had appeared in Stellara’s territorial waters, and Yanimus ordered the Terror Knights and other forces to the coast.
• Yanimus spoke of Erus’s return after four hundred years, then collapsed; a young woman woke wearing the king’s clothes and fled in alarm.

Princess Diphiya led the Erus Kingdom fleet toward Stellara while the king struggled with seasickness, then used Space Magic to clear a path through the Water Magic Mines. The mines fell on Stellara’s defenses, and as the fleet advanced, the Defense Minister took command while the injured Chancellor stayed behind.

• The Chancellor and Defense Minister learned that Sonia had appeared at the royal palace and agreed to defend Stellara while awaiting the king’s return.
• Princess Diphiya confirmed that the fleet was approaching Stellara, warned Swann and the others to remain loyal, and left the seasick king hanging over the rail.
• The warship stopped at a dense field of Water Magic Mines, and the king used Space Magic to move them aside and create a passage for the fleet.
• The displaced mines fell onto Stellara’s coastal defenses, injuring the Chancellor, before the Erus fleet advanced through the cleared route.
• After waking, the Chancellor ordered the troops to prepare for battle, but the Defense Minister asserted command and sent guards to keep the Chancellor safe.

King Erus swallowed Stellara’s Magic Circle Cannon and counterattacked, devastating the enemy’s defenses before his forces advanced. He realized Dragon Slayer Magic had amplified his attack, while Yanimus took control of Sonia’s body deep within Stellara Palace.

• The Defense Minister ordered the Magic Circle Cannon fired, but King Erus swallowed the beam and returned fire with a lightning attack.
• The attack shattered Stellara’s defensive line, killed or scattered its soldiers, and left the Defense Minister retreating toward the Chancellor.
• Divine Constable Di challenged King Erus over the destruction, and King Erus realized his attack had grown stronger by devouring the enemy’s magic before striking back.
• King Erus’s group resumed its advance after Princess Diphiya reminded them they were behind schedule.
• Yanimus emerged from Sonia’s body in Stellara Palace and hoped the Chancellor and his allies could delay the advancing forces.

His Majesty the King summoned Irene to the front after learning that Yanimus planned to detonate the Stellara Stones and destroy the Kingdom of Stellara. Meanwhile, Yanimus led the Chancellor and Defense Minister deeper into the royal palace to reveal his strategy.

• His Majesty the King sent Diphiya back to Philiers for disobeying orders, but Irene persuaded him to bring Diphiya back and he instead decided to summon Irene to the front.
• At Altair's royal palace, the Chancellor and Defense Minister apologized for failing to stop the enemy, and Yanimus told them he had a strategy before leading them farther inside.
• His Majesty the King teleported Irene to the Erus army camp and hurriedly flew with her toward Altair, explaining that Yanimus planned to detonate the Stellara Stones.
• His Majesty the King told Irene that only she and the true owner of her body might be able to stop Yanimus.

Yanimus ordered more Stellara Stones brought to the palace so he could use them to intimidate Erus's army. Irene and Sordil infiltrated the storage hall and tried to remove the stones, but an alarm forced Sordil to send Irene away to tell Uncle Kaldiz to activate the second plan.

• Yanimus told the Chancellor and Defense Minister he would use the Stellara Stones to threaten Erus's army, then ordered them to bring more stones to the palace.
• Sordil and Irene collided in midair, and Irene scolded him before he told her Yanimus was about to act.
• Sordil opened a portal into the palace's Stellara Stone storage hall, where he and Irene incapacitated the guards with Sleep and Transformation Magic.
• Irene and Sordil decided to teleport the stones to the Spirit World, but their array triggered an alarm.
• Sordil sent Irene through a Silver-White Light portal and told her to ask Uncle Kaldiz to activate the second plan.

Old Suo and Yanimus fought inside the hall as Erus forces launched an assault on Altair, forcing King Stellara to send his ministers to reinforce the city. Old Suo redirected Yanimus’s feather arrows, but two slipped past him toward a wall of Stellara Stone as Yanimus attacked again.

• King Stellara, the Chancellor, the Defense Minister, and Yanimus confronted Old Suo in the hall, where Old Suo traded barbs with the ministers and Yanimus.
• Yanimus attacked Old Suo, and the two exchanged dark purple energy whips and lightning attacks.
• A messenger reported that the Erus Legion had launched an all-out assault on the city, so King Stellara ordered the Chancellor and the Defense Minister to reinforce the defenses.
• Outside Altair, a captain warned Zeng Xiaoxian that asking about a Heavenly King could get him killed by the Purple Guard or the Plum Blossom Intelligence Bureau.
• Old Suo turned Yanimus’s feather arrows back on him, but two arrows escaped toward a Stellara Stone wall while Yanimus launched another attack at Old Suo.

Irene and Sordil defeated Yanimus and separated the male Yanimus from Sonia, then sent him through a gate to the Yellow Springs. The Stellara Stones began nearing an explosion, and Sordil ordered Irene to protect Sonia while he tried to move them away.

• Irene arrived in time to protect Sordil, then unleashed a barrage of attacks that buried Yanimus beneath rubble.
• Yanimus attacked again, but Sordil swallowed his energy beam and later restrained him with Space Magic while Irene split his personalities.
• Irene separated Yanimus from Sonia, and Sordil trapped Yanimus in a crystal coffin and sent him through the Gate Opening: Yellow Springs.
• Sordil closed the gate and confirmed Sonia was unconscious but safe.
• The Stellara Stones began glowing and nearing an explosion, so Sordil ordered Irene to protect Sonia while he moved the stones away.

King Sordil escaped with the berserk Stellara Stones and sent them toward the Masked Woman, hoping she would pass them to Ankhseram. Irene and the Heavenly Kings organized their next moves while Sordil disappeared, and Ankhseram opened her palace gates to the surprise left for her.

• King Sordil stopped time, cut the Stellara Stones free, shrank them, and fled through a spatial passage toward the Masked Woman’s palace.
• Irene carried Sonia away from the palace and stopped Kaldiz and the Heavenly Kings from rushing back to rescue Sordil, urging them to focus on other tasks.
• Sordil reached the Masked Woman’s palace but was pulled away before he could speak to her, leaving behind the miniature Stellara Stones and a note asking her to deliver them to Ankhseram.
• The Masked Woman read Sordil’s note, laughed, and vanished with the Stones to fulfill his request.
• Ankhseram stormed to her palace gates after repeated knocking and was met by a dazzling flash and an explosion.

Old Suo recovered from his prank and capture, then invited Sonia to join the Erus Kingdom and discussed military affairs with Charlie. Charlie revealed an embarrassing incident involving Diphiya, leaving Old Suo laughing as he and Irene prepared to leave with Sonia.

• The Masked Woman laughed at Ankhseram’s misery while exhausted Old Suo accidentally alerted a group who captured him, then tossed him into the air and dropped him.
• After recovering some energy, Old Suo offered Sonia a place in the Erus Kingdom, and she agreed to join.
• Charlie reported that the Milantes trainees had passed their assessments and that troop movements in Auriel had subsided; Old Suo postponed a northern campaign unless the Northern Alliance provoked them.
• Old Suo asked Charlie what Diphiya had been doing, and Charlie began laughing before revealing the embarrassing incident.
• Old Suo laughed at Charlie’s story until Irene told him to get back to work, then he activated a Teleportation Array while Sonia praised their relationship.

Old Suo returned to Philiers, survived Diphiya’s angry confrontation, and appointed former Milantes nobles as probationary officials in the newly conquered territories. The Kingdoms of Cushen and Stellara became the Southeastern Province, while Old Suo slipped away on an impromptu journey.

• Irene and Sonia began touring the palace while Old Suo flew to the Disciplinary Department to collect Milantes trainees.
• Diphiya ambushed Old Suo and threatened him over the cabinet incident, then let him go after he promised he had told no one.
• Old Suo brought the former Milantes nobles to the Kushen Palace and appointed them probationary officials to govern the territory.
• Old Suo announced that Cushen and Stellara would merge into the Southeastern Province, with appointments to follow from governor Ralori Kushen.
• King Erus held an awards ceremony, announced a new noble hierarchy, and officially formed the Southeastern Province the next day.
• News of the province’s officials and the King of Cushen’s treatment stirred the Northern Alliance’s noble and royal circles as Old Suo quietly left on an impromptu journey.

Irene and the others reunited with August in Rosemary Village, where Old Suo used a newly developed Teacher-Student Contract to share his lifespan with him. The contract unexpectedly turned August into a child, and Old Suo began teaching him Transformation Magic so he could choose his appearance.

• Irene and the others discussed Erza and headed to Rosemary Village, where August sensed their arrival.
• August greeted Old Suo and Irene, then reunited warmly with Irene despite Old Suo's complaints.
• Old Suo explained that his contract could restore August's youth, and Irene urged him to help August avoid aging before her son.
• August and Old Suo signed the Teacher-Student Contract, which transformed August into a child.
• Irene demanded Old Suo restore August's adult appearance, but August accepted the change and said his power had increased.
• Old Suo offered to teach August Transformation Magic, and Irene ordered him to begin immediately.

Sordil, Irene, August, and their companions visited a church to donate supplies and meet the orphaned children before Sordil and Irene left August behind to protect Erza. The group then headed to Crocas, where King Toma learned that a silver-haired youth named Sordil had requested an audience and summoned Commander Arcadius.

• Irene reunited with August, and she and August followed Sordil after he descended toward the church.
• Sordil's group entered the church, donated supplies, and met Yarna and the other children in its care.
• After staying overnight and observing their daughter's daily life, Sordil and Irene departed, leaving August to return and protect Erza.
• Sordil told Irene that they would visit Crocas and Fiore's royal family to explain their travels, then set off with the group.
• King Toma heard that Sordil and a red-haired girl had arrived at the palace and ordered that they be admitted and Commander Arcadius summoned.