Chapter Summaries

Rayne announced Gotham City’s defenses and public institutions after the Sky-Piercing Colossi killed Pramon, presenting the city as a safe refuge and offering the Goddess of Magic greater influence in exchange for support. The Goddess’s Divine Kingdom opened in the sky, and she appeared poised to respond to Rayne’s offer.

• Pramon died when a Sky-Piercing Colossus killed him, forcing him to return to his Soul Jar and resurrect again.
• Rayne told Gotham’s residents that the Statue of the Goddess of Magic, Saint Gun Knights, Electric Light Cannons, and Sky-Piercing Colossi would protect the city.
• Rayne announced that the Temple of Wisdom and its Great Library would be free to visit, and that Gotham’s Magic Academy would offer free training to qualified residents.
• Ansiwodoss realized that Rayne had offered the Goddess of Magic the statue, temple, library, and academy in exchange for support for his ambition to take the Empire.
• The Goddess of Magic’s Divine Kingdom opened above Gotham, and the statue responded with blazing divine light as Rayne smiled at Ansiwodoss.

Vejestri descended upon Gotham City, blessed its people with Wisdom Blessing, and promised recurring blessings to those who prayed to her. She privately approved Rayne’s plans for the Empire’s government, provided it remained a wizard’s Empire and her followers continued to grow.

• Vejestri appeared before the praying crowds and proclaimed her protection of Gotham City and its people.
• Vejestri empowered the temple statue, granting Wisdom Blessing to everyone within three hundred miles and promising it every three days to those who prayed.
• Rayne realized Vejestri had arranged for Iola’s Core to supply most of the blessings’ energy, and resented her use of his surplus power.
• Vejestri descended to the temple square, accepted Rayne’s hand-kissing greeting, and praised his work before the assembled guests.
• Vejestri privately told Rayne she would not interfere with mortals deciding the Empire’s government if it remained a wizard’s Empire and her followers never decreased.

Rayne secured the Goddess of Magic’s support for expanding his Five-Year Plan across the Empire, but she discovered that he was only a Shallow Believer and refused to make him her Chosen One. After the Goddess departed, Rayne continued Gotham’s unveiling ceremony with a speech by Consul Gneus and finished the celebration.

• Rayne explained that expanding the Five-Year Plan across the Empire required absolute ruling power, and the Goddess of Magic agreed to support him.
• The Goddess of Magic discovered Rayne was a Shallow Believer and withdrew her offer to grant him Silver Fire and make him her Chosen One.
• The Goddess of Magic blessed her followers and returned to her Divine Kingdom without punishing Rayne, reminding him to keep his promise.
• Rayne invited Consul Gneus to speak at the ceremony, and Gneus praised Gotham and called on Imperial citizens to help develop the New Continent.
• Rayne and Gneus posed for photographs, then Rayne led the guests on a tour of the Temple of Wisdom and Grand Library before the visitors departed.

Rayne rejected Duke Silverstar’s plan to raid Banbei City, but agreed to investigate her claim that Gupta’s king served the Black Emperor. He sent Heavenly Soldiers toward Banbei City and examined the Saint Tier Demon Soul Master Oruoin had given him.

• Rayne saw off the Empire’s guests, then learned Duke Silverstar had stayed to discuss her promise to deliver an Ancient Dragon Demon’s Demon Soul; she pledged to deliver it within six months.
• Duke Silverstar urged Rayne to join her and Eilathlan in attacking Banbei City for its wealth, but Rayne refused because the city’s defenses and religious factions made the raid too risky.
• Duke Silverstar claimed Gupta’s king, Vikramaditya II, was very likely a follower of the Black Emperor, Balkor, and argued that the revelation justified attacking the city.
• Rayne agreed to investigate Vikramaditya II himself before deciding, then sent three of Rayne’s Heavenly Soldiers to Deep Harbor City to travel to Banbei City.
• Rayne took out the Saint Tier Demon Soul of an Amansok Giant Bear, a gift from Master Oruoin.

Rayne declined to fuse with the Amansok Giant Bear, offered Harmon a position in Gotham’s Pioneer Division, and continued building the city after its population surged. The chapter ended with news that Governor Gneus had died before Rayne’s Heavenly Soldiers could meet King Vikramaditya II.

• Rayne decided to wait for the Ancient Dragon Demon rather than risk advancing with the Amansok Giant Bear Demon Soul.
• Harmon described why Gotham City and the New Continent offered safety and opportunity, impressing Rayne, who offered him a position in the Pioneer Division.
• Rayne arranged for Calody to join the Saint Gun Knights and instructed Franciska to introduce Harmon to Glisson.
• Belisarius offered the Mechanics Guild’s resources in exchange for the Sky-Piercing Colossus’s complete manufacturing method, but Rayne refused to reveal its secrets.
• After the unveiling ceremony, immigrants flocked to Gotham City, increasing its population by one hundred thousand in just over a month.
• Rayne focused on building Power Armor while awaiting news from his Heavenly Soldiers, then learned that Governor Gneus had died.

Rayne investigated the assassination of Archon Gneus at Osop Manor and discovered that Loki's Cultists had sacrificed him in a gruesome ritual. Heistok revealed that Gneus had secretly visited the manor to spend time with Lady Eleanor, leaving the investigation without a clear lead on the killers.

• Rayne returned to Glamorgan after learning that Gneus had died, and Ansiwodoss sent him to inspect Osop Manor in Northril.
• Rayne arrived at the manor, where Heistok and members of the Nether Supervisory Group gathered to examine the scene.
• Heistok led the group to a pavilion containing Gneus's mutilated corpse, dozens of other victims, and a Loki sacrificial altar.
• Otiluk identified the ritual as Loki's, and Heistok said the Church of Justice had confirmed that Loki's Cultists were responsible, though investigators had found no clues.
• Rayne challenged Heistok about his absence when Gneus was killed, and Heistok explained that Gneus had ordered him not to follow him to the manor, where he secretly met Lady Eleanor.

Rayne investigated the slaughter at Osop Manor, traced the attack to the Trickster Master Lockrion, and learned that Minister Ambul had leaked Gneus’s whereabouts before Loki’s Cultists killed him and his family. The chapter ended with photographs of the sacrificial scene spreading through Northril, carrying a threatening message from Loki’s followers.

• Heistok identified Lady Enoli among the tortured victims and told Rayne that Gneus and fifty-four others had been killed at Osop Manor.
• Otiluk, Andro, and Alamanther concluded that the attack had involved a Sound-Light Barrier Array, a Saint Tier Spellcaster, and a battle in the Feywild.
• Rayne entered the Feywild and found evidence of Ninth Circle Arcane Arts and Lockrion’s Twilight Mirage, identifying Lockrion as the culprit.
• Sissell told Rayne that Minister Ambul had leaked Gneus’s whereabouts and that Loki’s Cultists had killed Ambul and his household.
• A Holy Swordsman brought photographs of the sacrificial scene circulating in Northril, accompanied by a threat from Loki’s followers.

After Archon Gneus was assassinated and sacrificed to Loxi, the High Council announced an imperial revenge operation and reopened the Archon election. Rayne suspected Kailstone might be involved, but the revelation that the chief culprit was hiding in Banbei City caught him off guard.

• Sissell ordered the Sword of Order and Sheriffs to seize the bloody photographs, while Heistok sent the Rick Guard to collect them.
• As the Legendary Wizards waited for the High Council's decision, Rayne suspected Kailstone might have colluded with Loxi's Cultists to kill Gneus, though Montalin's surprise left the connection uncertain.
• Tim*Kainan summoned Northril's Imperial Councillors to the Council Chamber and confirmed that Loxi's Cultists had assassinated and sacrificed Gneus.
• Tim*Kainan announced that he would act as regent, reopened Archon election registration, and ordered a revenge operation against Loxi's Church.
• When Tim*Kainan named Lockrion as the primary culprit and said he was hiding in Banbei City, Rayne jolted and looked toward Silver Star Duke.

Rayne investigated why the Empire planned to attack Banbei City and suspected Kailstone was manipulating events to draw him into a trap. A second Prophecy Spell confirmed the battle was real, and Rayne decided to go to Banbei City and claim the governorship.

• The Imperial Council learned that Lockrion and Loki's Cultists were in Banbei City, and the Empire prepared to send its forces there.
• Rayne warned Viola to stay safe, then met Ansiwodoss, the Storm Queen, and Duke Silverstar to question how the High Council had located Lockrion.
• Rayne suspected Kailstone might have leaked the attack plan or engineered the crisis to lure him to the subcontinent, though he could not determine why Lockrion had returned to Banbei City.
• Kadeja cast the Prophecy Spell, showing the same battle in Banbei City that Medif had seen, including Imperial forces, Loki's Cultists, and Rayne's Extreme Warriors.
• When Duke Silverstar asked whether he would go to Banbei City, Rayne agreed, saying he needed to go if he wanted to become governor.

Rayne learned that Kailstone may be luring him to Banbei City, while Dubostan was reported dead by suicide. After Aisley urgently summoned him to Northril, she revealed that Dubostan had left her a letter, whose contents Rayne was about to read.

• Duke Silverstar and the Storm Queen agreed to join Rayne's campaign to Banbei City, while Ansiwodoss said Wizerland would not participate.
• Ansiwodoss reported that Dubostan had committed suicide, and Rayne resolved to reestablish the Emperor's Hand if he became Archon.
• Franciska relayed Aisley's urgent request, and Rayne teleported to her home in Northril to check that she was safe.
• Aisley told Rayne that Dubostan had expected to die and had sent her a letter through a servant; she handed it to him.

Rayne investigated a letter linking the Grey Eagle Duke to Gneus’s death and concluded that Loki’s Cultists were manipulating events to provoke conflict in the Aurelian Empire. After connecting the conspiracy to the Empire’s planned expedition to Banbei City, he warned Ansiwodoss, who was summoned to meet with the Grey Eagle Duke.

• Rayne read Dubostan’s letter and questioned Aishilei, who confirmed that Gneus had fallen out of favor with the Grey Eagle Duke and revealed that Dubostan had killed himself after meeting with the duke.
• Aishilei asked Rayne to visit her home publicly, and Rayne sent a Mirror Image there before bringing the letter to Ansiwodoss.
• Rayne and Ansiwodoss judged that the letter was meant to pit the Modu School against Master Tim Kainan and suspected Loki’s Cultists were behind the scheme.
• Ansiwodoss identified Loki as the likely conspirator, while Rayne reasoned that the god was using the Banbei City expedition to divert the Empire and advance a conflict involving the Black Emperor Balkor.
• Ansiwodoss received a message that the Grey Eagle Duke had also obtained a letter and was summoning the Soul Saint Wizards, and Rayne warned him not to reveal their suspicions about Loki.

Rayne learned that Ansiwodoss and Grey Eagle Duke had uncovered Loxi's scheme and agreed to avenge Gneus, though the operation risked becoming more than a conflict between mortal nations. As the Empire prepared to march on Banbei City and candidates competed to become Archon, Rayne waited until the eve of the expedition before visiting He Palace.

• Ansiwodoss told Rayne that Grey Eagle Duke denied involvement in Gneus's death, and that they had agreed to report their plan to the Goddess.
• Rayne returned to Viola and told her about Loxi's conspiracy, but he refused to abandon his plan to go to Banbei City.
• The Empire announced its revenge operation against Banbei City, mobilized its forces, and opened registration for the Archon election.
• Viola compiled a list of likely Archon candidates, including Otiluk, Batura, Lindian, Charni, Hurst, and Rayne's friend Villian.
• Falanis Floating City and the assembled armies prepared to depart, and Rayne formally visited He Palace on the eve of the expedition.

Rayne visited Tim Kainan at He Palace to register as a candidate for governor, despite Tim's support for Otiluk and dislike of Rayne's growing influence. Tim accepted his registration, and Rayne then asked him to support his candidacy in the High Council, prompting Tim to ask what he would offer in return.

• Rick Guards escorted Rayne through He Palace, where officials and councilors realized he intended to run for governor.
• Tim Kainan confronted Rayne about his influence on the Empire's political balance and his recruitment of Master Oruoin to the Modu School.
• Rayne defended his actions and described balance as relative and constantly changing, prompting Tim to reconsider his view of him.
• Rayne explained that he wanted to experience governing before entering the High Council, and Tim accepted his registration.
• Rayne asked Tim to cast an affirmative vote for him in the High Council, and Tim asked what reason Rayne could give him to do so.

Rayne traded the Hess Magic Array to Tim Kenan in exchange for political support, a future High Council vote, and ten million Gold Shields. After securing the deal, Rayne returned to Maringer Manor and hinted to Viola that his plans went beyond becoming consul.

• Rayne showed Tim Kenan a fragment of the Hess Magic Array and proposed trading its knowledge for his support.
• Rayne persuaded Tim Kenan that the array could help Mayov become an Archmage and restore the Balance School's influence in the High Council.
• Tim Kenan agreed that he and Huo Huai would vote for Rayne, promised one unconditional vote within thirty years, and offered ten million Gold Shields.
• Rayne handed the magic notebook containing the Hess Magic Array to Tim Kenan, who immediately began studying it.
• Rayne returned to Maringer Manor, confirmed to Viola that his election registration had been accepted, and hinted that his ambitions extended beyond the consulship.

As the imperial army assembled in Falanis for the revenge operation, Rayne joined the expedition alone and declared that his Extreme Legion was stronger than Grey Eagle Duke’s Eight Leaves Hand. The army gathered in the Floating City, and the arrival of Duke Silverstar and Storm Queen began the arrival of the Soul Saint Wizards’ forces.

• Magical bells summoned the imperial army, and Rayne left Viola to travel to the military camp outside Northril.
• Rayne used a Portal to reach Falanis, where Tim Kainan brought him to a platform overlooking the assembling troops.
• Otiluk questioned why Rayne had come without his Legion, and Rayne said his army was on the way and called the Extreme Legion invincible beneath the heavens.
• The Griffon Legion, Rick Guard, Iron Knight Order, Storm Legion, and Order of the Arcane Sword assembled in Eight Leaves Plaza.
• Duke Silverstar and Storm Queen arrived, and their Legions emerged from Portals.

Rayne watched the Transcendent legions assemble on Eight Leaves Plaza for the revenge operation, while the other candidates questioned whether his own forces would be enough. As thunder rolled across the sky, Rayne announced that his legion had arrived, leaving its strength and appearance unrevealed.

• Duke Silverstar, the Storm Queen, Lindian, and Charni arrived with their armies, displaying the Silver Armor Knights, Red Robe Legion, Crimson Flame Sword Guard, and Golem Legion.
• Batura brought the two-thousand-strong Black Blade Cavalry, and Rayne sensed hostility behind the Saint Tier Steel Knight’s friendly smile.
• More private armies joined the operation, including Hertes’s Barbarian legion and Villian’s five-hundred Griffon Knights.
• Villian asked about Rayne’s legion, and Rayne said he had brought one hundred people.
• Tim Kainan warned Rayne that he would cancel his candidacy if Rayne avoided battle, but Rayne looked toward the horizon and said his legion had arrived as thunder sounded.

Rayne brought the Extreme Legion and the Heavenly Soldiers to Falanis Floating City, where their strength impressed the assembled commanders. After the Goddess of Magic blessed the troops, Tim Kainan began the revenge campaign against Loxi's Cultists and sent the Floating City on its jump.

• Sixty Extreme Warriors arrived in Falanis Floating City wearing Rayne's powerful Power Armor, and Tim Kainan called their Legion the strongest in the world.
• Alchemy Sage Charni and the Storm Queen tried to obtain the Power Armor, but Rayne refused to sell it.
• Forty Heavenly Soldiers emerged from a Portal, completing Rayne's force of one hundred Legendary warriors.
• Tim Kainan rallied the eighty thousand troops to avenge Governor Gneus, and the Goddess of Magic blessed their campaign.
• Tim Kainan enhanced the troops with mass spells and activated Falanis Floating City's jump, sending it away from Northril.

Falanis Floating City arrived above Banbei City, where Tim Kainan confronted King Vikramaditya II over Lockrion and exposed his alliance with Black Emperor Balkor. After declaring Vikramaditya’s rule illegitimate and sentencing him to death, Tim ordered the Imperial army to attack the city.

• Falanis Floating City emerged from the Astral Plane near Banbei City in Sabkhtainai and flew above it.
• Vikramaditya II sent Blue Finch Knights to ask Tim Kainan to meet and accept that Loki’s Cultists, not Gupta, were responsible for the governor’s death.
• Tim demanded Lockrion’s corpse and the Shadow Blades’ corpses, while Vikramaditya denied that Lockrion was in Banbei City and offered captured assassins.
• Vikramaditya accused the Empire of using revenge as an excuse to invade, and Tim revealed that the king had served Black Emperor Balkor and sacrificed hundreds of thousands of people.
• Tim declared Vikramaditya’s rule illegitimate and sentenced him to death, then destroyed the king’s projection and the Blue Finch Knights.
• Tim ordered the attack, and Falanis Floating City fired a mass of light toward Banbei City’s royal palace.

The Aurelian Empire’s assault on Banbei City stalled when Vikramaditya II used Fear Domain to shield Shivaji Royal Palace with the terror and Soul Power of millions of trapped residents. As Tim Kainan prepared to order a deadly attack, he recognized Rayne’s silent signal and called on him for a solution.

• Tim Kainan’s Ultimate Arcane Fireball struck Fear Domain and was weakened, while millions of Banbei City residents suffered under the divine art.
• Vikramaditya II sealed Banbei City’s gates and harbor routes, trapping its residents and daring the Empire to attack.
• Tim Kainan tested the barrier with a falling stone pillar, but it held and the backlash killed more than ten thousand residents.
• Otiluk proposed destroying the hidden Balkor Altars or evacuating the population, but the others judged both plans impractical.
• Storm Queen urged Tim Kainan to attack, then refused to risk her own Floating City, while Vikramaditya II taunted the stalled Imperial army.
• Tim Kainan nearly ordered an assault, but noticed Rayne’s knowing look and asked him to speak.

Rayne led the Extreme Warriors into Banbei City to destroy the Balkor Altars sustaining Vikramaditya II’s Fear Domain. As the domain weakened and the palace defenses became visible, Vikramaditya II sent out the Super Sun Legion to attack the invaders.

• Rayne assured Tim Kainan he could dispel the Fear Domain and received permission to teleport to Banbei City with the Extreme Legion.
• Rayne’s Heavenly Soldiers guided teams of Extreme Warriors to hidden Balkor Altars, which the warriors destroyed with their Explosive Bullet Guns.
• The Fear Domain weakened as the altars fell, while the Extreme Warriors wiped out the Super Sun Legion guards and other defenders across the city.
• After more than fifty altars were destroyed, Vikramaditya II ordered the Super Sun Legion to eliminate the invaders.
• The palace gates opened, and mammoth Colossi and Azure Feather Blue Finches led the Super Sun Legion toward five Extreme Warriors, who opened fire.