Chapter Summaries

Duke Gould and Miss Diphiya celebrated their engagement before the King and the assembled guests. As the festivities began, Langu concluded that the King and Oddek intended to purge the kingdom’s armies and knew he had to win his duel with Sordil the next day.

• King Belmod arrived at Gould’s engagement ceremony and joined the guests in the hall.
• Gould and Diphiya exchanged engagement rings, toasted the guests, and completed the ceremony.
• The guests began dancing and eating while Langu and his adjutant discussed the King’s plans for the Western Border Army.
• Langu decided he had to defeat Sordil in their duel to avoid being sent to his death on the northwestern frontier.
• Sordil ignored Langu’s worries and focused on eating so he would be ready to beat Langu the next day.

Sordil hid in the Spirit World to avoid Diphiya’s promised beating, then returned for his duel with General Langu. At the royal palace training grounds, Sordil sent Langu flying with a stone fist and followed up with a barrage of stone shells and spikes.

• Anna warned Sordil that Diphiya might punish him and helped him plan to hide in the Spirit World.
• Sordil escaped into the Spirit World, and Anna later summoned him back through Capri when it was time for the duel.
• Anna told Sordil that the duel would begin in one hour, and Sordil arrived at the training grounds early to wait for Langu.
• The chancellor received Belmod’s permission to begin the duel, and Langu charged Sordil with his greatsword.
• Sordil struck Langu into the air with a stone fist, then launched stone shells and raised fang-shaped pillars beneath him.

Sordil defeated Langu in a sparring match, but Mr. Arthur intervened before Sordil could kill him and later warned Belmod that Sordil’s strength was unfathomable. Belmod then ordered the Western Border Army redeployed, sending Langu and two divisions to the Cuyis Tree Sea while placing the remaining forces under Sordil’s command.

• Sordil overwhelmed Langu with his sand magic, but Mr. Arthur stopped the attack and saved Langu from being killed.
• Belmod introduced Sordil to Arthur, arranged for Langu to receive treatment, and declared Sordil the winner of the match.
• In the Council Hall, Arthur told Belmod that Sordil was far stronger than he was.
• Belmod ordered the Second and Fourth Divisions and General Langu to garrison the Cuyis Tree Sea, while the remaining Western Border Army divisions and the Bell Dragon Rider Regiment came under General Oddek’s command.

Belmod reorganized the Western Border Army, assigning its two elite divisions and most of its senior officers to Langu while appointing Oddek to command the remaining forces. The kingdom’s regional legions began receiving officer transfers, and Kurelle learned that Oddek had been promoted to lieutenant general and Guardian of the Western Territory.

• Belmod told the chancellor to draft orders transferring two elite Western Border Army divisions to Langu and reassigning senior officers across the kingdom’s other legions.
• Sordil rejected control over the Western Border Army’s senior officers and asked Belmod to withdraw the order, leaving Langu distressed by the king’s actions and Oddek’s earlier attempt to kill him.
• People across Philiers discussed the redeployment and inferred that Belmod was trying to keep military power balanced.
• Kurelle accepted the order to move the Bell Dragon Rider Regiment to West City and paid the black-robed attendant for his help.
• Kurelle summoned his officers and announced that Oddek had been promoted to lieutenant general and appointed Guardian of the Western Territory.

After Sordil was appointed Guardian of the Western Territory, his former subordinates received orders to join him, while Western Border Army commanders sought a way to evade the transfer order’s requirements. Sordil arrived at West City as a cloud of dust and approaching hoofbeats greeted him.

• The Great Captains learned Sordil had been transferred to the western border and received his order to rendezvous with him in West City.
• The Great Captains beat the First Battalion’s Great Captain for loudly celebrating Sordil’s promotion, then prepared to travel west and watch the Western Border Army.
• Keith summoned the six Division Commanders and gave them the transfer order requiring them to leave one-third of their senior officers for the new Guardian.
• Lischi pointed out that the order required twenty-six senior officers, not complete units, and the commanders agreed to leave their troublesome subordinates behind.
• Anna woke Sordil when his carriage reached West City, and he saw dust and heard hooves approaching from the city.

Sordil arrived in West City and asserted his authority as the new commander of the Western Border Army after the Bell Dragon Rider Regiment clashed with its soldiers. He captured a suspected spy and ordered the officers to gather at headquarters, preparing to confront whoever was behind the opposition.

• Heradi welcomed Sordil outside West City and explained that the redeployed troops had arrived several days earlier.
• Sordil found Western Border Army soldiers confronting the Bell Dragon Rider Regiment at the city gate and killed an officer who threatened the regiment.
• Kurelle presented Sordil's appointment letter, and Sordil killed a soldier who claimed it was fake.
• Sordil stopped a fleeing rider with magic and ordered Heradi to capture and question him; Heradi returned with the man alive and said he had confessed.
• Sordil sent Kurelle to summon every city officer to headquarters within half an hour, then headed there with Heradi and the captive.

Sordil summoned West City’s officers, exposed a plot against him, and killed the officers he identified as conspirators. He then appointed commanders for four divisions and left the remaining personnel decisions for the next day.

• Loco and Saipan received orders to assemble at headquarters, while officers across West City heard rumors of Sordil’s harsh treatment of those who opposed him.
• Sordil learned that the Western Border Army’s generals had taken most of the core personnel and left him with only a small group of officers.
• Sordil accused officers of the First and Third Divisions of plotting to assassinate him, then had wind blades kill them after presenting a captured accomplice.
• Sordil appointed Kurelle, Dabo, So'oren, and Harry Portia as commanders of the First, Third, Fifth, and Sixth Divisions.
• Sordil ended the meeting and postponed the remaining appointments until the next day.

At an operational meeting, Kurelle announced Sordil’s reorganization of the Western Border Army and read out its new commanders. The officers were challenged to prove themselves in a tournament, while the revelation that General Oddek had gone out to eat and still had not returned left everyone collapsing in disbelief.

• Zikkel and the surviving Sixth Division soldiers arrived at headquarters, where Kurelle announced the army’s new divisions and support brigades.
• Kurelle read out the appointments, naming Heradi, Elkley, Galipar, Anna, and Sanko as brigade commanders, along with new commanders for the divisions’ brigades.
• The officers learned that a Grand Martial Arts Tournament would be held in one month, and that poor performers would lose their posts.
• Anna asked why her Teacher had missed the meeting, and Kurelle revealed that General Oddek had gone out to get something to eat and still had not returned.
• The Western Border Army officers realized that Anna’s Teacher was General Oddek and collapsed in shock.

Heradi and Elkley searched for Sordil, convinced he was too powerful to be captured, then found him working as a restaurant attendant. Sordil explained that he had stayed to work off an unpaid meal and asked Heradi to pay his debt so he could confront Kurelle.

• Heradi told Elkley that over a thousand Bell Dragon Rider Regiment soldiers had failed to touch Sordil during a fifteen-minute attack.
• A Guard Brigade soldier led Heradi and Elkley to a shop where Sordil was serving as an attendant.
• Heradi and Elkley struggled to believe that the attendant was Sordil until Sordil greeted Heradi and explained that Kurelle had left him without money to pay for his meal.
• Sordil said he had willingly stayed to work off the meal rather than leave without paying or fight the restaurant staff.
• Sordil asked Heradi to pay his debt so he could return and settle the score with Kurelle.

Irene learned that the Western Continent’s dragons had united and planned to invade Ishgar in half a year. Belserion returned wounded with Acnologia and urged Irene to warn the humans and prepare for war.

• Irene ordered General Feld to monitor the Western Border Army after hearing that Tsuyioru Xiu had moved two elite divisions and added a knights’ order.
• The chancellor told Irene that Duke Gould planned to become engaged to a woman named Diphiya, whose brother had been assigned to lead a knights’ order near the northwestern border.
• A violent tremor announced Belserion’s return, and Irene found him badly wounded alongside the white dragon Acnologia.
• Belserion and Acnologia argued until Irene intervened and asked them to explain what they had learned in the Western Continent.
• Belserion and Acnologia told Irene that the Western dragons had formed a disciplined dragon kingdom and planned to attack Ishgar in half a year.

Sordil learned that Wise Dragon Belserion had entered the Kingdom of Donagunov and left the Western Border Army to investigate. In the royal capital, Belserion heard from Irene about a mysterious dragon clan seeking an alliance, just as a guard arrived with news.

• Sordil punished Kurelle with a thousand push-ups, requiring him to balance six full cups of water while Heradi and Elkley supervised.
• Anna gave Sordil an urgent report confirming Wise Dragon Belserion had entered the Kingdom of Donagunov.
• Sordil entrusted the Western Border Army to Anna, left a Thought Body in his room, and flew toward the Kingdom of Donagunov.
• Irene told Belserion that a mysterious dragon clan had settled in the Cuyis Tree Sea and asked to ally with them against the warlike dragons of the Western Continent.
• A guard hurried into the royal palace courtyard as Belserion was about to ask Irene whether they had formed an alliance.

Sordil visited Irene to learn when the Western Continent’s dragons would attack Ishgar, but Irene and Belserion mistakenly believed he had romantic intentions toward her. After Belserion and Acnologia confronted him, Sordil escaped through a spatial rift.

• Belserion mistook Irene’s excitement about an unnamed visitor for romantic interest and decided to vet her supposed suitor.
• Sordil met Irene and asked whether Belserion had returned from the Western Continent; Irene mistakenly reassured him that Belserion was not seriously injured.
• Irene told Sordil that the Western Continent’s dragons would attack Ishgar in half a year, and Sordil hurried to return to Fostadu and prepare.
• Belserion and Acnologia intercepted Sordil outside the capital and demanded that he stay away from Irene.
• Sordil teleported away from the dragons and vanished through a spatial rift before Belserion could catch him.

Sordil accidentally entered the girls' bathhouse while fleeing pursuers and was attacked by Aquarius and Virgo before the misunderstanding was cleared up. He was blasted away again after noticing Leo's veil, then returned to Fostadu as Irene's warning about an imminent Western Continent attack reached Belmod.

• Aquarius blasted Sordil when he fell into the bath, and Virgo dug him out while the women tried to identify the intruder.
• Sordil explained that he had entered the Spirit World to escape two men pursuing him, and Aquarius realized he had not deliberately broken into the bathhouse.
• Sordil punished Virgo for kicking him and calling him a pervert, then commented on Leo's face veil and was blasted into the sky by Aquarius.
• Taurus watched Sordil fly away and admired his daring entrance into the girls' bathhouse.
• Sordil returned toward Fostadu to prepare for battle, while Irene's letter warning of an imminent Western Continent attack arrived on Belmod's desk.

Belmod received a letter about the Western Continent and sent Number Thirteen to investigate its claims. At Fostadu, Sordil returned and told his allies about Belserion’s attack before assigning them tasks for his plan.

• Belmod consulted his chancellor about a letter concerning the Western Continent, then ordered his contact to have Number Thirteen investigate recent news there.
• Hadessta speculated that Sordil had returned to put his plan to use the human spy into action.
• Sordil arrived at Fostadu, where Radel, Hadessta, Gilkunis, Wattster, and the others welcomed him.
• Sordil recounted how Belserion had intercepted and attacked him, prompting everyone at Fostadu to curse Belserion.
• Sordil stopped the group’s outburst and assigned everyone tasks according to his plan.

Yeruzisi learned that the Western Continent’s dragons planned to invade Ishgar in six months and that Fostadu and Donagunov would unite against them. After the report reached Belmod, the king fell seriously ill, delaying peace talks and Sordil’s meeting with Irene.

• Seraf sent Yeruzisi to deliver an order to Lindel, and Yeruzisi overheard Seraf and Wattster discuss Fostadu’s preparations for war.
• Wattster said the Western Continent’s dragons would invade Ishgar in six months and that Fostadu had allied with Donagunov to resist them.
• Yeruzisi learned that Fostadu planned to eliminate the Oddek siblings, who were serving as generals in Tsuyioru Xiu, then wrote down the intelligence and hurried to his rendezvous point.
• Number Thirteen’s report informed Belmod of the invasion, the alliance, and the threat to the Oddek siblings, leaving Belmod fearful and distressed.
• The next morning, the chancellor learned that Belmod had fallen seriously ill and received urgent written instructions, delaying peace talks and Sordil’s meeting with Irene.

The Chancellor learned that Sordil and Diphiya had been appointed envoys to the Kingdom of Donagunov, while he struggled with the King’s other orders. Gould confirmed the mission for Sordil, who was relieved to hear the news and vowed not to risk his companions again.

• The Chancellor reviewed the King’s orders, including appointing Sordil and Diphiya as envoys, sending gifts to the Cuyis Tree Sea, and transferring Langu to the western border.
• Gould visited the Chancellor and asked whether the King had ordered Sordil arrested or sent on a mission.
• The Chancellor told Gould that Sordil would serve as an envoy to the Kingdom of Donagunov and that Diphiya would accompany him.
• Gould returned with the news, and Diphiya relayed it to an anxious Sordil at Cuyis Tree Sea.
• Sordil laughed with relief and resolved not to make another reckless mistake that could endanger his companions.

Sordil sent Diphiya to warn Igneel and the others about the coming invasion, then traveled to West City to take command of the Western Border Army. He left Langu’s forces collapsing from hunger and desertion in Kaysir City, and ended by challenging the soldiers to prove their strength and claim positions.

• Sordil warned Diphiya to tell Igneel and the others about the Western Continent’s impending attack and respect their decision about joining the war.
• Keith told Langu that more soldiers had deserted, as shortages and banditry continued to undermine the army in Kaysir City.
• Langu reflected on how the empty city, lack of supplies, and growing desertions had ruined his plans to rebuild the Western Border Army.
• Sordil introduced himself to the Western Border Army as its new commander, explaining that he had defeated Langu and been appointed by the king.
• Sordil invited the soldiers to challenge him for command or compete among themselves for positions, and the troops stared at him in astonishment.

Sordil used Lek’s challenge to demonstrate how the Western Border Army’s contests would replace commanders and build fighting spirit. After Lek defeated Hannibal, Sordil announced that the Grand Martial Arts Tournament would recur every three months, then officially began the army’s first tournament.

• Sordil created an arena and set rules for Lek and Hannibal to fight over Hannibal’s position.
• Lek threw Hannibal off the arena and won, becoming the Company Commander of the renamed Lek Company.
• Sordil rebuked Hannibal for losing heart, and Hannibal asked for another chance to defeat Lek.
• Sordil announced quarterly tournaments with contests in combat, horsemanship, archery, scouting, and strategy, allowing soldiers to compete for positions.
• Lek and Hannibal vowed to face each other again, and Sordil declared the first Grand Martial Arts Tournament open.

The Western Border Army began its first Grand Martial Arts Tournament, with Sordil overseeing the opening events. The Position Challenges started with Medical Brigade Commander Anna challenging Kurelle, and the chapter ended as Anna summoned Taurus to attack him.

• Kurelle announced the five tournament events, and the soldiers cheered as commanders rallied behind their units.
• Kurelle declared the Position Challenges open, and nearly a hundred arenas appeared for the matches.
• Anna challenged First Division Commander Kurelle, startling Sordil and the officers on the platform.
• Sordil urged Kurelle to accept Anna's challenge and threatened to take her place, so Kurelle finally entered the arena.
• Anna summoned Taurus, whose axe swing forced Kurelle to dodge before shifting toward his waist.

Anna used Taurus, Virgo, and Sagittarius to pressure Kurelle during their match, but Kurelle’s boot-throwing escape forced both fighters out of the arena and resulted in a draw. The stands then heard Heradi challenge General Oddek, and realized Sordil was carrying him to the arena for a beating.

• Anna dismissed Taurus and summoned Virgo, who destroyed most of the arena floor until only small patches beneath Anna and Kurelle remained.
• Anna summoned Sagittarius to aim at Kurelle, but Kurelle threw a boot at Anna and jumped off the arena to dodge the arrow, while Anna also jumped away from the boot.
• The referee ended the match as a draw, prompting the spectators to condemn Kurelle and rally around Anna.
• Heradi challenged General Oddek, and the former Bell Dragon Rider Regiment members realized Sordil was carrying Heradi to the arena after he had angered him.