Chapter Summaries

Sordil punished Heradi in the contest after Heradi had insulted Anna, interrupted Sordil’s match with Old Two, and disturbed him while he was watching and sleeping. Heradi finally tried to surrender as Sordil’s attacks sent him flying through the air.

• Former Bell Dragon Rider Regiment officers gathered to speculate about why Sordil was teaching Heradi a lesson.
• Heradi asked Sordil to go easy on him, but narrowly dodged Sordil’s Rock Fist and prompted him to fight harder.
• Sordil trapped Heradi between attacks from above and below, then repeatedly launched him into the air with wind and sand magic.
• Old Six told the officers that Heradi had slandered Miss Anna, disrupted Sordil’s match with Old Two, and disturbed Sordil while he watched the contest and slept.
• Heradi’s cries continued as the spectators watched, until he called down, “Boss, I surrender!”

After Heradi surrendered, Sordil forgot to catch him, but saved him at the last moment and the injured soldier recovered in time to enjoy the evening feast. The next day, Kurelle announced the talent showcases, and their results assigned skilled soldiers to units before Sordil ordered preparations for an afternoon strategy test.

• Heradi surrendered and fell from the sky after Sordil stopped attacking, but Sordil remembered to rescue him with a wind boat before he hit the ground.
• Anna's Medical Brigade took Heradi to the medical station, where he recovered and later joined the soldiers' evening feast.
• A company commander explained that Guard Brigade members had been personally trained by Sordil and had won their positions through fierce competition.
• Kurelle announced the horsemanship, archery, and swordsmanship showcase rules and the ranks participants could earn.
• The showcases ended by midday, with reconnaissance and communications brigades taking all the skilled riders, archers divided among units, and few soldiers qualifying in swordsmanship.
• Sordil ordered the logistics department to serve lunch and the staff headquarters to prepare strategy test papers for the afternoon.

Sordil and the Western Border Army began the cross-country endurance march, with seventeen brigades carrying sixty-kilogram loads over a course that ended back at camp. The Guard Brigade and Reconnaissance Brigade raced ahead, while Sordil hinted that the outcome might surprise everyone.

• Sordil inspected the troops as Kurelle announced the march rules, route, and prize for the first brigade to return.
• The brigades assembled at the east gate and prepared to carry their required loads without breaking the rules.
• Elkley rallied the Reconnaissance Brigade to claim first place, and the Guard Brigade answered with its own declaration of victory.
• A horn sounded the countdown, and the Guard Brigade, Reconnaissance Brigade, and other combat brigades set off ahead of the Three Underdogs.
• Kurelle and the other commanders predicted the Guard Brigade would win, but Sordil said the result might exceed their expectations.

Sordil observed the endurance competition as the brigades raced between checkpoints, while The Three Underdogs steadily climbed the rankings. After food poisoning left him incapacitated at the Ferrer Highlands, he accidentally knocked Heradi unconscious, and the Guard Brigade lost first place to a dark horse.

• Sordil flew to the Third Wetland checkpoint and learned that no competing teams had arrived yet.
• The Guard Brigade and Reconnaissance Brigade reached the checkpoint first, with the other teams following soon after.
• Sordil observed the teams at the Ferrer Highlands and saw tired soldiers keep going without abandoning their companions as The Three Underdogs rose from last place to the upper-middle ranks.
• Sordil ate unknown food, became violently ill, and could not stop Heradi from hugging him until Kurelle explained he needed the toilet.
• Sordil fled to the bushes, where his foul gas knocked Heradi unconscious, and Heradi later discovered that a dark horse had taken first place.

Heradi awoke to find the Guard Brigade in last place after being knocked unconscious, then rallied his soldiers to race back toward the front. As the brigades charged toward the finish, Anna used Virgo to collapse the road behind the Medical Brigade and stop the pursuing Communications Brigade.

• Heradi woke and learned that the Guard Brigade had fallen to last place while the Medical Brigade led the competition.
• Sordil heard that Heradi was pursuing the other teams and learned which brigades were leading and trailing.
• Heradi led the Guard Brigade in a rapid comeback, overtaking teams until they reached the vanguard.
• Elkley ordered the vanguard to charge early, and the Reconnaissance Brigade and Guard Brigade overtook the Logistics Brigade before the Guard Brigade passed the tiring Reconnaissance Brigade.
• Anna used Virgo to collapse the road, sending the pursuing Communications Brigade into a ditch, then set off after the main force.

Anna's Medical Brigade won the cross-country march, and Sordil rewarded the soldiers while resolving to continue the military exercises despite worries about Erza. After waking up battered from a night of celebration, Sordil appeared with Elkley and Heradi at the exercise platform, where the live combat drill began.

• Anna used Leo's gravity power to slow Heradi's Guard Brigade, then led the Medical Brigade to win the march.
• The Guard Brigade finished second, the Reconnaissance Brigade third, and the Second Brigade of the First Division came in last.
• Sordil gave Anna the outstanding brigade banner and 10 million J, announced the last-place punishment, and celebrated with the soldiers.
• Sordil wondered whether preventing the tragedy would make Erza disappear, but decided to continue the exercises and deal with the problem later.
• After waking with Elkley, Kurelle, and Heradi in his tent, Sordil pulled free and beat Heradi in anger.
• At the military exercise platform, one of the three bruised men announced that the live combat drill was beginning.

The Western Border Army began a four-faction live combat exercise, and the commanders scrambled to recruit allies and plan their moves. At the Red and Yellow Camps, commanders formed alliances and considered how to defeat the powerful First Division.

• Meat Bun Kurelle announced that the army would split into four color-coded factions and that the first faction to eliminate the others within four days would win.
• Sordil received word that the factions had reached their camps and that headquarters could monitor the exercise, while Chief of Staff Lockett attributed the General's troubled state to his recent illness and drinking.
• At the Red Camp, Kurelle persuaded Anna and Heradi to reconcile, and the three began studying intelligence about their rival factions.
• At the Yellow Camp, Dabo told Elkley and Galipar that the Second Division could not face the First Division head-on, and Elkley reluctantly agreed to give him time to devise a plan.
• A Communications Brigade member entered Dabo's tent and whispered a message to him.

Dabo explained his secret alliance plan to Elkley and Galipar, while So'oren accepted a temporary alliance against Kurelle and Harry chose among three proposals. Meanwhile, Diphiya's peace delegation left Philiers for the Kingdom of Donagunov, expecting to reach West City in about seven days.

• Dabo calmed Elkley after revealing that he and Galipar had kept their plan secret, then proposed eliminating the First Division before turning on the Third and Fourth Divisions.
• So'oren told Sanko that he had agreed to join forces against Kurelle but did not trust Dabo to fight fairly, and Sanko left the planning to him.
• Harry Portia reviewed offers from the First, Second, and Third Divisions and chose one document while deciding how to protect the Fourth Division.
• Diphiya's peace delegation departed Philiers for the Kingdom of Donagunov, and the Captain of the Guard told her they expected to reach West City in around seven days.

Kurelle and Anna learned that Harry planned to exploit the alliance between Dabo and So'oren, then prepared to trap the attacking forces. Dabo and So'oren captured an empty Red Army camp and fell into Kurelle's concealed ambush.

• Anna gave Kurelle Harry's letter, and Kurelle prepared for a nighttime operation.
• Dabo proposed that his, So'oren's, and Harry's forces attack the Red Army camp together, and Harry agreed.
• A messenger slipped out of the Yellow Army camp, and Kurelle read the message before issuing orders for battle.
• Dabo's forces approached the Red Army camp and fired a signal flare, prompting So'oren to charge while Harry led the Fourth Division away.
• Kurelle and Anna watched from a nearby high ground and arranged to spring their trap.
• After Dabo and So'oren found the Red Army camp empty, the ground collapsed beneath their troops and arrows rained down on them.

The First Division defeated the Second and Third Divisions in a trap and reported capturing their commanders, prompting Sordil to rush to headquarters to verify the news. Meanwhile, Langu and the Western Border Army neared West City, eager to return home.

• As Harry withdrew the Fourth Division, Heradi ambushed it on the road, and a blast of smoke and dust concealed the attack as arrows struck the troops.
• So'oren and Dabo backed Elkley's plan to climb out of the pit, but Kurelle's shield wall and spearmen blocked the Second and Third Divisions as they emerged.
• A messenger told Sordil that Kurelle's First Division had captured the other three division commanders and defeated their forces, so Sordil hurried to headquarters to confirm the report.
• Langu asked Keith how long remained before they reached West City, and Keith told him they would arrive in two days.

Sordil confirmed that Kurelle’s First Division had won the live combat exercise and approved ending it. At West City, he welcomed the troops back and awarded the First Division the title of main force division, with priority access to talent and supplies.

• Sordil arrived at headquarters in pink pajamas, changed into uniform, and ordered Lockett to retrieve the battle records.
• After reviewing the reports, Sordil approved ending the exercise, ordered Kurelle to return, and directed that the records be preserved as a case study.
• Heradi learned that the First Division had finished its battle before he mistakenly claimed it had defeated the other divisions, and Kurelle and Anna laughed at him.
• Sordil prepared a platform outside West City as Kurelle led the First Division and its captives back to the city.
• Sordil praised the soldiers and granted the First Division main force division status, priority selection of talent, and priority access to military supplies.

Sordil received the king’s order to lead a peace mission to Donagunov, but news that Langu had returned to West City unsettled him and forced him to reconsider his plans. When an army led by Langu was reported approaching, Sordil’s hesitation gave way to murderous resolve.

• After the First Division won the exercise, Sordil rallied the defeated soldiers by urging them to train for the next martial tournament.
• Sordil learned that Diphiya and the peace delegation had watched his speech and heard her read the king’s order appointing him peace envoy and Diphiya deputy envoy to Donagunov.
• After receiving a secret second scroll, Sordil asked Diphiya about the dragons and learned that she had not found Igneel and the others and that Langu had been transferred back near West City.
• Sordil worried that his plan could make Natsu and Erza disappear, but he could not bear to let Langu harm the woman he loved.
• Elkley reported that an army led by Langu was approaching West City, and Sordil responded with a cold, murderous aura.

Sordil decided to kill Langu and recruited Elkley to help carry out a plan as Langu’s army approached West City. Langu rode toward the city after receiving an offer of allegiance, unaware that the welcome awaiting him was part of Sordil’s scheme.

• After hearing Elkley’s report, Sordil resolved to kill Langu and asked Elkley to obey his orders, then secretly explained the plan to him.
• Sordil sent Diphiya to occupy the diplomatic delegation and used telepathy to gather his former subordinates and assign them combat roles.
• Langu learned from a messenger that Elkley and many others wanted to pledge allegiance to him, then ordered the messenger to tell Elkley to prepare to receive him.
• Keith sensed something was wrong with the offer, but Langu dismissed his concerns and rode toward West City.
• At West City’s west gate, Zikkel warned Will about Elkley’s presence and pointed out who was hosting the banquet, leaving Will drenched in cold sweat.

Langu returned to West City to reclaim the Western Border Army, while Oddek’s officers secretly prepared a trap at a tavern. After Lek described Oddek’s abuses and the army’s collapse, Langu entered the tavern and was declared a rebel as the officers moved to attack him and his men.

• Hain persuaded several Brigade Commanders to change sides, while Zikkel and Will watched from across the tavern.
• Elkley checked that the tavern was prepared to kill Langu, and Heradi assured him that their people had secured the area.
• Keith warned Langu against entering West City with all his troops, so Langu took the Second Division inside and left the Fourth Division outside.
• Lek told Langu that Oddek and Kurelle had seized control, embezzled the army’s funds, and left the soldiers unpaid and desperate.
• Langu entered the tavern to meet the Brigade Commanders, and a voice ordered the officers to exterminate him and his men.

Sordil trapped Langu and the officers in a tavern, killed the traitors, and answered Langu's question about why he had pursued him. After defeating Langu in their final spar, Sordil offered Keith his life in exchange for eternal loyalty, and Keith signed the contract.

• Elkley sealed the tavern and surrounded Langu, Keith, and the other officers while Sordil explained how he would frame them as rebels.
• Hain and the other officers who had planned to defect begged Sordil for mercy, but he killed them.
• Langu asked Sordil why he had targeted him, then requested one last spar after learning Sordil would leave him alone if he left the western territory.
• Sordil used Void Burst to shatter Langu and terrify Keith and the remaining officers.
• Sordil offered Keith a chance to live as his loyal servant, and Keith signed the contract with his blood.

Sordil forced Keith and Lischi to sign Pact Scrolls, then ordered his forces to seize West City and isolate the troops outside it. He arrived at Langu’s camp with Keith and compelled Langu to assemble his division for an attack on the city.

• Sordil pressured Lischi into signing a Pact Scroll after threatening the Second Division.
• Sordil assigned Elkley and other commanders to seize the divisions, seal West City’s gates, and secure the people in the tavern.
• Sordil asked Keith to accompany him to the camp outside the city, then flew there with him.
• Langu learned that two divisions had blocked the camp’s escape route and that West City’s gates were shut.
• Sordil appeared behind Keith in Langu’s tent and used a strange force to stop Langu from calling for help.
• Langu emerged from the tent and ordered his division to assemble for an attack on West City.

At the New Moon Inn, Diphiya stopped Xiao Qi from provoking the captain and learned that the Western Border Army was keeping the delegation inside for their safety. Anna claimed rebels were attacking West City and persuaded Diphiya to go see for herself, leaving Sordil to carry out his plan.

• Xiao Qi mocked the captain for preventing him from leaving the inn, but Diphiya arrived and made him apologize before the captain could draw his sword.
• The captain explained that Western Border Army soldiers, not he, were barring the delegation from going outside.
• Diphiya warned Xiao Qi that the captain could have killed him without consequence, and Xiao Qi thanked her for saving his life.
• A soldier in fiery red armor revealed that Diphiya was General Oddek's younger sister, but struggled to explain the restrictions when she questioned him.
• Anna arrived and said Langu had rebelled and was attacking West City, claiming the delegation was confined for its safety.
• Diphiya left the inn with the captain and Xiao Qi to inspect the situation, while Anna silently told Sordil that the audience was in place.

Diphiya insisted on watching the siege of West City, where Sordil and Langu staged a rebellion to draw out the enemy forces. After reinforcements routed the attackers, Sordil handed the Western Border Army to Kurelle and departed on a diplomatic journey.

• Diphiya left the inn despite warnings and went with Anna and the captain of the guards to watch the battle at the city wall.
• Sordil raised a yellow flag, signaling Langu to begin the staged assault on West City.
• Diphiya and Anna watched the gruesome fighting until Sordil scolded them for coming to the battlefield.
• So'oren and Harry arrived with reinforcements, scattering the besiegers, while Elkley reported that the rebels inside the city had been cleared out.
• The next morning, Sordil entrusted the Western Border Army to Kurelle and departed on his diplomatic journey.

A young man wandered through the Western Continent, destroying a forest and grieving for an old friend at Windcall Valley, while dragons prepared for war and King Belmod learned that Langu’s rebellion had been suppressed. The young man continued toward a familiar place, Igneel sought Sordil’s address, and Belmod ordered continued surveillance of Fostadu.

• A black mist from the young man killed every living thing in a forest before he resumed his journey.
• At Windcall Valley, the young man remembered an old friend, wept, and hurried toward a familiar place; Sordil sensed something from the diplomatic convoy and spoke with his companions.
• Igneel and Atlas Flame agreed that the Flame Dragon lineage would join Wise Dragon Belserion’s war against the Western Continent dragons.
• Atlas Flame told Igneel that Sordil was Fostadu’s crown prince, but Igneel flew away rather than accept Atlas Flame’s demand to handle official duties for six months.
• Chancellor told King Belmod that Langu had rebelled and been killed by General Oddek’s forces, and Belmod ordered him to monitor Fostadu while the peace delegation traveled to the Kingdom of Donagunov.

Irene welcomed the Kingdom of Tsuyioru Xiu's peace delegation to Donagunov’s capital and arranged a banquet before negotiations. Meanwhile, Zeref returned to Mildian, resolved to pursue magic that could resurrect his lost companions, and discovered Sordil had moved the academy library.

• Irene ordered General Feld to escort the peace delegation and prepared lodging for its arrival.
• Sordil and Anna marveled at Donagunov’s capital before Irene greeted the delegation and invited them to a welcome banquet.
• Zeref revisited Mildian and resolved to create magic capable of resurrecting everyone who had died.
• Zeref sensed Sordil’s magical signature at the academy and discovered that Sordil had moved the library.
• Zeref hurried to his dormitory to check that his own copies of the library books were safe.