Chapter Summaries

Roy escorted more than thirty Second Rank powerhouses into the Dark Land, where they hoped to recover their fallen companions’ remains before the Darkness Gate was sealed. Byron.Toll asked Roy to accompany them to Isnais, but Roy knew he could not leave his regiment unattended.

• Viscount Philek planned to release only part of Roy’s Dark Magical Beast materials into the Elf Kingdom’s market and considered partnering with an old friend in Murayaki City.
• Legion Commander Gabreles stopped Roy at the Goddess of Freedom Temple and ordered him to assist Great Swordsman Alvin and the other Second Rank powerhouses entering the Dark Land.
• Roy led the powerhouses through the Darkness Gate and arranged tents for them at the Expeditionary Force Camp.
• Byron.Toll reunited with Roy and explained that the group planned to recover their fallen companions from battlefield ruins before the Gate was sealed.
• Byron.Toll asked Roy to accompany them to Isnais, but Roy realized leaving his regiment could bring Earl Swynborne’s anger upon him.

Roy agreed to accompany Great Swordsman Alvin’s group to the Isnais Expeditionary Force Camp after Legion Commander Gabreles ordered him to go, and he arranged for Captain Timothy to oversee the garrison. As Roy prepared to leave, Commander Malthus challenged his plan to travel there and return alone, and Roy said he had made arrangements.

• Roy agreed to travel to Isnais with Byron.Toll’s group if military headquarters approved his leave, hoping to learn about his teacher, High Priest Reed.
• Magister Eroud inspected the sixteen Magic Towers and asked Roy about their operation and daily Magic Crystal Stone use.
• Legion Commander Gabreles ordered Roy to accompany Lord Alvin to Isnais and return to the Darkness Gate Expeditionary Force Camp after the mission.
• Roy assigned Captain Timothy to manage the Mine Guard Regiment temporarily and told the senior officers he would search for local goods while traveling to Isnais.
• Commander Malthus warned Roy that the journey would take weeks and questioned how he would return alone, but Roy replied that he had made plans.

Roy traveled with an Adventure Group through the Dark Land, using Holy Light Power to protect its members while struggling to replenish his dwindling reserves. After learning from Great Mage Darakli about elemental transformations, Roy wondered whether light and darkness could likewise transform, but he remained exhausted and far from the Isnais Expeditionary Force Camp.

• Roy traveled toward the Isnais Expeditionary Force Camp with an Adventure Group of Second Rank powerhouses and peak First Rank warriors, sheltering from Dark Creatures each night.
• Byron.Toll told Roy and Darakli about his lost Mercenary Group and his goal of recovering his companions' remains, while Roy continued cleansing the group with Holy Light Power.
• Darakli explained how Great Mages drew elemental power from the Elemental World, and Roy described Mister Dasheng's principle that energy could transform but not be created or destroyed.
• Roy considered whether light and darkness could transform into each other as his Holy Light Power declined and holy water became less effective in the Dark Land.
• Roy grew too weak to help set up camp, so Linglan.Copperbeard finished the work while Roy rested and drank holy water for slight relief.

Roy joined a hunting party to observe a Fear Demon despite his weakening Holy Light Power, while the expedition continued struggling through the Dark Land. After the demon survived the hunters’ attacks and escaped toward Roy, Roy summoned the Hammer of Judgment to knock its final attack down.

• As Roy's Holy Light Power waned, Byron.Toll warned Great Swordsman Alvin that Roy might run out before reaching the Isnais Expeditionary Force Camp, and Alvin agreed to reduce the group's exposure to Darkness Qi.
• When a Silver Moon Elf powerhouse reported a Fear Demon nearby, Roy asked to join the hunt, and Byron.Toll sent Linglan.Copperbeard to protect him.
• Roy fashioned wide Flippers from hard armor hide so he and Linglan.Copperbeard could cross the black sand, then watched the hunters approach the Fear Demon from a distant dune.
• The Elf Sword Dancer split the Fear Demon apart, but it reformed; the Silver Moon Elf powerhouse shredded it with his Dual Swords, yet a faint wisp escaped toward Roy.
• Linglan.Copperbeard struck the wisp with his shield and hammer, but the Fear Demon launched a Black Mist arrow at Roy, who summoned the Silver Hammer from the Hammer of Judgment Book and knocked it down.

Roy purified the Fear Demon's remnant soul, and the unstable Darkness Qi nourished his Holy Light Tree, restoring his power and awakening an Elemental Body. After rejoining the main force, Roy heard Great Swordsman Alvin explain the controversy surrounding him and urge him to travel while he was young, leaving Roy thoughtful by the campfire.

• Roy destroyed the Fear Demon's remnant soul with Purification Art, then regained his strength as his Holy Light Tree absorbed the dispersed Darkness Qi and his level rose to fifteen.
• The Silver Moon Elf powerhouse asked what happened to the remnant soul, and Linglan.Copperbeard said Roy had purified it.
• Roy purified Darkness Qi from the Silver Moon Elf Sword Dancer's wound and stitched it, while telling Linglan.Copperbeard he understood why the elves kept their distance.
• The group caught up with the main force, where Great Swordsman Alvin welcomed Roy and described the accusations against him and the Elven Council's demand for his trial.
• A Silver Moon Elf swordsman invited Roy to join his Mercenary Group, and Alvin encouraged Roy to travel while he was young, leaving Roy deep in thought by the campfire.

Roy grew stronger by hunting Dark Creatures and reached the Isnais Expeditionary Force Camp with the Adventure Group. Unable to find High Priest Reed, Roy decided to return to the Darkness Gate Expeditionary Force Camp, though he hinted that he would have help on the journey.

• Roy and Linglan.Copperbeard ambushed the Black Wild Bull when it charged toward their hiding place, and Roy killed it with Hammer of Wrath.
• Byron.Toll praised Roy's combat-priest potential and encouraged him to learn shield techniques from Linglan.Copperbeard.
• After three weeks of travel, Roy and the Adventure Group arrived at the dilapidated Isnais Expeditionary Force Camp, where Roy learned that only a little over forty priests remained.
• Roy searched the camp for High Priest Reed but found no one who knew his whereabouts.
• Byron.Toll invited Roy to travel deeper into the Dark Land, but Roy declined and asked that Reed be told to find him at the Darkness Gate Expeditionary Force Camp.
• Roy told Byron.Toll he would return to the Darkness Gate camp in two days and said he had help for the journey.

Roy left the ruined Isnais Expeditionary Force Camp after failing to find High Priest Reed, and quietly shared his food with the stranded Priests. He met the Dark Moon Elf Warriors outside the camp and set off to buy Dark Magical Beast materials at nearby wild camps, while Byron.Toll revealed that unidentified followers had been tracking their group.

• Roy learned that the Old Priest would remain in Isnais to stay near the missing Goddess, then discovered a Half-Elf girl selling goods whose arm bore a Flame Black Mark and left Elf Biscuits for her.
• Roy found no news of High Priest Reed and, before leaving Isnais at dawn, divided his food into forty portions and distributed it among the Priests.
• Byron.Toll, Linglan.Copperbeard, and Great Mage Darakli watched Roy depart and discussed his importance on the Pattington Plane and Byron.Toll's failed investigation of the people following their group.
• Roy met the Dark Moon Elf Warriors at a rendezvous ten kilometers outside Isnais and planned to visit nearby wild camps to buy Dark Magical Beast materials.

Roy visited Ailis Camp to buy Dark Magical Beast materials and met Lia, an Elf who offered to connect him with sellers. After completing a large purchase from Loki's hunting group, Roy prepared to continue his journey with his plans fulfilled.

• Roy led twelve Dark Moon Elf Warriors through a swarm of flying Dark Creatures and reached Ailis Camp.
• Lia returned to her sick older sister Ailis and told her she planned to earn money scouting for Uncle Loki's hunting group.
• Lia set up her market stall and warned Mousse. Gleeson that powerful unfamiliar people had arrived at Isnais.
• Roy traded food for Dark Magical Beast materials at Ailis Camp's market and filled three carts.
• Lia offered to find Roy more high-level materials for a five percent commission and brought him to Loki. Balsa.
• Roy bought Loki's high-grade Dark Magical Beast materials, completing his purchasing plan at Ailis Camp.

Roy traded Elf Biscuits, dried fish, and dried fruit for Captain Loki’s stock of Dark Magical Beast materials, then left Ailis Camp with Lia’s warning to hire protection. After Lia departed, her frail sister Ailis stayed in camp, where a newcomer learned that the sisters were connected to the camp’s formidable founder, also named Ailis.

• Roy inventoried Captain Loki’s thirty-seven chests of Dark Magical Beast materials and arranged to exchange them for food supplies at an agreed value.
• Captain Loki accepted Roy’s Elf Biscuits, dried fish, and dried fruit, and Roy completed the large trade.
• Roy paid Lia her commission, gave her holy water, and left Ailis Camp with twelve Dark Moon Elf Warriors and six loaded carts.
• The next day, Lia left camp with Uncle Loki while Ailis stayed behind, drinking holy water and hoping to see sunlight again.
• A young Demon Hunter approached Ailis, but his friend warned him not to provoke Lia or Ailis and revealed that their mother had founded Ailis Camp.

Roy returned from the Black Sand Sea to the Darkness Gate Expeditionary Force Camp, reported to Gabreles, and resumed trading Dark Magical Beast materials. At the Wanderer Camp, he learned Evele had been seriously eroded by Darkness Qi and found her under Old Pike’s care.

• Roy’s team frightened off a Demon Hunter Squad in the Black Sand Sea and continued toward the Darkness Gate Expeditionary Force Camp.
• Roy returned to camp, reported to Legion Commander Gabreles, and discussed the Dark Land with Commander Malthus.
• Roy delivered Dark Magical Beast materials to Viscount Philek and collected one thousand Magic Cloaks for the Half-Elf Warriors.
• Roy led two hundred Half-Elf Warriors to the Wanderer Camp and told its Demon Hunters he would buy their materials.
• Stand told Roy that Evele was badly injured and might need holy water to recover, then urged him to save her.
• Roy visited Old Pike’s clinic and learned Evele had been seriously eroded by Darkness Qi.

Roy healed Evele and learned from Old Pike that a Darkness-infused Elf like Lia might have been born with a Darkness Body. Magister Eroud invited Roy on a months-long expedition into the Dark Land, while Old Pike revealed that he had fled the Expeditionary Force after questioning the story of the Goddess of Freedom’s sealing.

• Roy purified Evele’s Darkness Qi, treated her wounds, and heard how an evil spirit had injured her in a stone forest.
• Old Pike explained that Lia might have survived exposure to Darkness Qi in the womb and been born with a Darkness Body capable of resisting it and using Darkness spells.
• Roy bought Dark Magical Beast materials at Wanderer Camp and sold dried fish to Demon Hunters seeking food.
• Magister Eroud asked Roy to join the Magisters’ expedition into the Dark Land to search for liches, which could last months or longer.
• Old Pike told Roy he had escaped the Expeditionary Force after questioning whether the Goddess of Freedom had truly been sealed, and recalled a faction that believed she had left a God's Relic in the Dark Land.

Old Pike explained his past in the Temple Expeditionary Force and recognized Roy’s Holy Light Tree as something other than the Goddess of Freedom. Magister Eroud secured permission for an expedition into the Dark Land and persuaded Roy to join with offers of powerful support and upgrades.

• Old Pike recounted how his beliefs about the Goddess of Freedom led the priests to brand him a heretic and explained that he had settled in Wanderer Camp after losing his Holy Artifact and Holy Light Power.
• Roy revealed his Holy Light Tree and explained that he absorbed power from dead Dark Creatures, and Old Pike said that only High Priests might have the Goddess of Freedom appear behind them.
• Legion Commander Gabreles reluctantly stamped the Magic Guild’s authorization for Roy to join an expedition into the Dark Land, after Magister Eroud asked him to keep it confidential.
• Magister Eroud offered Roy the six Magisters’ support, a custom Level Two Magic Inscription Construct, and two new pages for his Hammer of Judgment Book.
• Roy accepted Magister Eroud’s offer and agreed to enter the Dark Land with the Magisters.

Roy joined six magisters and their Great Mage assistants on an expedition into the Dark Land aboard a magically assembled cabin, hauled by a Steel Golem. After three quiet days of travel, Roy learned that the mages might help him obtain a Level Two Magic Inscription Construct, while Magister Eroud relied on Roy to preserve his Holy Power for purifying Darkness Qi.

• The magisters and Half-Elf Warriors built a rune-covered cabin that hovered above the ground and blocked most Darkness Qi.
• Magister Eroud activated a Magic Steel Golem, which pulled the cabin out of the camp with Roy aboard.
• Eroud assigned Roy a room and asked him to conserve his Holy Power so he could purify the mages when needed.
• The cabin traveled through the Dark Land for roughly three days without encountering Dark Creatures, while Roy spoke with the Great Mages about his divine arts and Holy Light Affinity.
• Eroud asked Roy what he wanted in return for the expedition, and Roy said he hoped to obtain a Level Two Magic Inscription Construct.

Roy learned that his carrying capacity was 274 and secured the Magic Guild's support for a Level Two Magic Inscription Construct. The Magic Cabin reached the ruined Isnais camp without finding the Temple Expeditionary Force, leaving the Magisters to debate how to locate the liches and their next source of information.

• Magister Eroud measured Roy's carrying capacity at 274 and promised to arrange a Level Two Magic Inscription Construct made with Tier 4 Magical Beast leather.
• Magister Eroud told Roy that legendary powerhouses could travel between planes and that he had just seen a dying demigod.
• The Magic Cabin crossed the Black Sand Sea and arrived at the ruined Isnais Expeditionary Force Camp, but Magister Cedric refused to enter and ordered the cabin onward.
• Roy lost the chance to visit the remaining Old Priests at Isnais as the Magic Cabin set course for Brinia, about ten days away.
• The Magisters learned that the Temple Expeditionary Force had charged into the Dark Land, and Eroud, Dunlop, Joyce, and Jonas debated how to find it or question Demon Hunters about the liches.

Roy learned how to use a divination crystal ball and persuaded Magister Eroud to let him join Great Mage Greimus on a scouting trip into the Dark Land. Before Roy left, Magister Eroud asked him about nearby Demon Hunter Camps, and Roy identified Ailis Camp on the map.

• Opeiya quietly sat with Roy, and the Great Mages teased him about becoming the latest name in her autograph book; Roy declined her advances.
• A female magician identified Roy’s crystal ball as a Demon Divination Device that detected nearby demons and undead.
• Roy purified Great Mage Greimus’s Darkness Qi, then asked to join him on a scouting trip; Greimus agreed to share ten percent of the magical beast materials if Roy helped.
• Magister Eroud approved Roy’s trip but warned Greimus to conserve Roy’s Holy Light Power in the Dark Land.
• Magister Eroud asked Roy about nearby Demon Hunter Camps, and Roy located Ailis Camp about a hundred kilometers from the Isnais Expeditionary Force Camp.

Lia returned to Ailis Camp after Uncle Loki Basar's death and found her twin sister Ailis dying. Roy arrived with Magister Eroud and the mages, then used Holy Light to hold Ailis's soul in her body and accidentally poured nearly half his Holy Light Power into her, leaving Ailis cocooned in light and apparently alive.

• Lia returned to Ailis Camp injured and grieving after Uncle Loki Basar died and his Demon Hunter Squad disbanded.
• Lia found Ailis unconscious and dying, and Ailis briefly woke to say goodbye before losing consciousness again.
• Roy and Magister Eroud entered Ailis Camp in a Magic Cabin carried by a Magic Steel Golem, and Lia pleaded with Roy to save Ailis.
• Roy grabbed Ailis's departing soul and pressed it back into her body, then began transferring Holy Light Power into her.
• When Roy could not stop the transfer, Magister Eroud and Great Mage Greimus used water magic to separate him from Ailis.
• Ailis became enclosed in a cocoon of holy light as Roy recovered, having lost nearly half his Holy Light Power.

Roy learned that Lia knew where liches were active, and agreed to help treat Ailis in exchange for her guidance. After moving Lia and Ailis into the Magic Cabin, Roy accompanied Great Mage Greimus outside and witnessed him annihilate a vast horde of Dark Creatures with a blizzard.

• Roy asked Lia about liches, and she offered to guide him to their territory if he brought Ailis along and cured her.
• Magister Eroud persuaded Roy to try treating Ailis again, and Great Mage Greimus carried her while Lia followed them to the Magic Cabin.
• The Mages welcomed Lia and Ailis into the cabin, and Roy gave up his room so the sisters could stay there.
• Roy moved into a storage room and left the cabin with Great Mage Greimus to explore the surroundings.
• Great Mage Greimus summoned an Ice Elemental and unleashed a blizzard that destroyed the Dark Creatures and Dark Scythes surrounding them.

Roy hunted Dark Magical Beasts with Great Mage Greimus, strengthening his Holy Light Power, then helped restore Ailis by channeling holy light into her. Lia revealed what she knew about the sea bed and agreed to guide the Magic Cabin there, while Roy continued weekly treatments as a conduit for Ailis's recovery.

• Roy absorbed holy light beneath the Holy Light Tree, transforming his hands and learning to wield the sensation more fully.
• Roy helped Great Mage Greimus trap and kill Dark Magical Beasts in a blizzard, earning a share of the soul crystals and impressing the other Great Mages.
• Roy discovered that Ailis drew Holy Light Power from him when his hand transformed into holy light, and Magister Eroud separated them before the transfer depleted him.
• Lia told the six Magisters that her mother had found a lich near the sea bed, and she agreed to lead the Magic Cabin there.
• Roy sent Holy Light Power to Ailis each week, leaving her wrapped in a cocoon as her body slowly recovered.

After Roy advanced to level seventeen, he and Grems encountered an approaching Dark Beast Tide led by an adult Black Demon Whale, while the Magic Cabin faced the same danger. Roy and Grems hid underground, and Magister Joyce sank the cabin beneath the sand as the whale and its swarm passed overhead.

• Ailis recovered and grew stronger, while Lia mapped the Dark Creatures’ sky currents and quickly learned Black Magic from Magister Dunlop.
• Roy advanced to level-seventeen High Priest during a hunt with Great Mage Greimus, and the Holy Light Tree bloomed within him.
• Roy and Grems reached the seabed and spotted an adult Black Demon Whale approaching with a vast Dark Beast Tide.
• Roy and Grems dug a pit, hid inside Demon Sealing Boxes, and buried themselves beneath the sand.
• Lia warned Magister Eroud that the Black Demon Whale was approaching, and Magister Joyce used a tornado to sink the Magic Cabin beneath the sand.
• The Black Demon Whale and its swarm swept across the sky, devouring Dark Creatures and Dark Magical Beasts as they passed.

Roy and Greimus escaped a passing Black Demon Whale, then headed toward their Magic Cabin rendezvous while discussing Roy’s command, the Pattington Plane, and the Grimm Empire. After spotting a Dark Devil’s magic eye and discovering gargoyles feeding on dead Elf Warriors, Greimus charged into the battle with Roy following.

• Roy practiced using Holy Light Power inside the Demon Sealing Box until Greimus opened it after the Black Demon Whale had passed.
• Greimus asked Roy about joining an Adventure Group, and Roy explained that he planned to return his Mine Guard Regiment to the Pattington Plane.
• Greimus told Roy about the Grimm Empire, its Construct Knight Order, and the Moon God Temple’s fee for sending Priests into battle.
• Roy and Greimus spotted a magic eye monitoring the rocky terrain and detoured around its area.
• Greimus saw three gargoyles feeding on dead Elf Warriors, formed Ice Armor, and charged toward them with Roy following.