Chapter Summaries

After the revenge operation, Rayne returned to the Empire and was welcomed by Viola, who struggled with the gulf between their power. He told Ansiwodoss that Reslin had become an Archmage but would remain hidden, and promised to attempt his own advancement to Soul Saint Wizard after becoming governor.

• Tim Kainan opened a portal to Northril, and the Imperial Legions returned from Banbei City while Falanis Floating City and a smaller force stayed behind.
• Rayne returned to Maringer Manor, reunited with Viola, and described the victory and the Sacred Blood Amber to her.
• Rayne noticed Viola's discouragement and left for Wizerland rather than trying to persuade her to change her outlook.
• Ansiwodoss questioned Rayne about the secrets he had revealed, and Rayne disclosed that Reslin had advanced to Archmage.
• Rayne refused to send Reslin to the High Council yet and told Ansiwodoss he would attempt to become a Soul Saint Wizard after his election as governor.

After securing Ansiwodoss’s help with his political plans and the construction of an Iola’s Core, Rayne prepared for the Imperial Council vote by recruiting allies and arranging trade-company franchises. The chapter ended with Duke Silverstar delivering the Ancient Dragon Demon’s soul to Rayne on the eve of the vote.

• Rayne told Ansiwodoss he would attempt to become a Soul Saint Wizard after becoming consul, and persuaded him to help stabilize the High Council and make an Iola’s Core for five million Gold Shields.
• Rayne reunited with his students, learned that Dalamar planned to return to Oruan, and let Garou continue his travels toward becoming a Legendary Wizard.
• Rayne received merchants and influential guests at Glamorgan Castle, assigned them exclusive trade franchises, and invited Batura to join the Imperial Subcontinent Trade Company.
• Rayne asked Elder Sorim to repair the Titan Strength Armor and gave it to Batura, then used the Sacred Blood Amber to resurrect Otiluk and Sorik.
• On the eve of the Imperial Council vote, Rayne returned to Glamorgan Castle and received the Ancient Dragon Demon’s Demon Soul from Duke Silverstar.

Rayne examined the Ancient Dragon Demon soul Duke Silverstar had obtained and found it exceptionally suited to his advancement, especially because of its Immortal Soul element. After settling Duke Silverstar’s trade-company request, Rayne returned to Northril to await the Imperial Council’s vote, still uneasy about what might happen if he failed to become governor.

• Rayne healed Duke Silverstar, who explained that Master Huai and Eilathlan had helped her hunt the Ancient Dragon Demon and revealed Master Huai was the adoptive father and a teacher to most of the Seven Sisters.
• Rayne inspected the Ancient Dragon Demon soul and discovered its powerful elements, including Immortal Soul, which could greatly increase his strength and body size when fused with a strong physique.
• Rayne judged that the demon soul had a better than seventy-percent chance of fusing with him and thanked Duke Silverstar, who asked him for benefits in the trade company.
• Rayne granted Duke Silverstar exclusive distribution rights to several products, satisfying her before she left Glamorgan Castle.
• Rayne returned to Northril and told Viola he was not worried about the next day’s vote, though he warned that the Empire could face trouble if he failed to become governor.
• Rayne and Viola spent the night together as dawn approached.

Rayne attended the Imperial Council’s election for a new consul, where the councilors and candidates treated him as the clear favorite. After every other candidate forfeited their final speech, Rayne addressed the councilors and declared that their votes for him would become the most important choice of their lives.

• Rayne arrived at Fubeden Castle with Viola as the Imperial Council election began under heavy security.
• Heistok and the Imperial Councilors greeted Rayne and Viola, then gave them precedence as they entered the Temple of Truth.
• Rayne took his place at the front of the Imperial Council Chamber, where councilors stood to welcome him.
• Kailstone, Tim Kainan, and Master Ansiwodoss arrived to oversee the election, and Tim Kainan confirmed that 319 councilors were present.
• Batura Yunesta, Otiluk, and every other candidate forfeited their final speeches before Rayne’s turn.
• Rayne addressed the councilors, saying that electing him would be the most important choice of their lives.

Rayne Augustus won the Imperial consul election unanimously, becoming the Empire’s 120th consul and its 45th overall. After the High Council also approved him, Rayne was left wondering why his enemy Kailstone had suddenly shown goodwill.

• Rayne gave a brief, forceful speech, and the other candidates declined to speak.
• The Imperial councilors voted, and Rayne used his All-Seeing Eye to see that every vote was for him.
• The vote count showed Rayne receiving all 319 votes, including those of his fourteen competitors, and the councilors applauded him.
• Kailstone nodded to Rayne and showed goodwill, puzzling Rayne, who suspected it was connected to Kailstone’s secret Magic experiment.
• The High Council voted unanimously in favor, and Tim Kainan announced Rayne Augustus as the Empire’s 120th consul and its 45th consul overall.

Rayne became the Empire’s forty-fifth Consul after a unanimous vote and began forming his Cabinet. He invited Batura to serve as Minister of Military Affairs and offered Viola the Ministry of Internal Affairs, then revealed he planned to advance to Soul Saint Wizard that night.

• Rayne delivered his acceptance speech and received the Imperial Council members’ unanimous congratulations.
• Tim Kainan announced that Rayne’s inauguration would take place on the first day of the new year and that Rayne would form his Cabinet beforehand.
• Rayne invited Batura to become Minister of Military Affairs, and Batura asked for ten days to consider the offer.
• Rayne returned to Maringer Manor with Viola and offered her the position of Minister of Internal Affairs, which she accepted.
• Rayne told Viola he would miss the celebration banquet because he planned to attempt advancement to Soul Saint Wizard that night.

Rayne returned to Maringer Manor, ordered Heistok to keep the Rick Guard on the outer perimeter, then went to the Obsidian Tower to attempt his Soul Saint Wizard breakthrough. After enduring the Ancient Dragon Demon's violent resistance and merging its soul into the World Tree, Rayne completed the transformation and awakened as a Soul Saint Wizard.

• Rayne arrived at Maringer Manor with Viola, where Heistok and the Rick Guard welcomed him as the new regent.
• Rayne ordered Heistok to limit the Rick Guard to the manor's outer perimeter and leave the inner defense to the Extreme Legion.
• Rayne teleported to the Obsidian Tower, where Reslin and Saint Giles helped protect him as he prepared for his breakthrough.
• Rayne used the Hess Magic Array, Elune's Tear, the Requiem Spell, and Soul Devouring Potion before fusing with the Ancient Dragon Demon's Demon Soul.
• The Ancient Dragon Demon attacked the World Tree repeatedly, but Rayne restrained it with the tree's branches and weakened it with Soul Shocks until it merged into a new root.
• Rayne completed his transformation, opened his eyes, and declared that he had become a Soul Saint Wizard.

Rayne completed his breakthrough into a Soul Saint Wizard, gaining two Lord of Thunder Elements and a greatly expanded Soul Power Pool. After discovering that a new cellphone function called “My World” required far more electricity than he had, he fused the Amansok Giant Bear's Demon Soul and advanced to Level 21 Wizard.

• Rayne transformed into a towering Titan Giant as his seventh Soul Transformation made him a Soul Saint Wizard and greatly increased his power.
• Rayne sensed that his ten Lightning Forms had become two Lord of Thunder Elements, then examined his strengthened Elements, spells, and cellphone functions after the main cellphone restarted.
• Rayne discovered the new “My World” cellphone function, but stopped charging it when one hundred units of electricity barely moved its progress bar.
• Rayne used the electricity he had saved and fused the Amansok Giant Bear's Demon Soul, successfully advancing to Level 21 Wizard.

Marius struggled to preserve the Makragge Tribe’s independence as Rayne’s rising power drew its warriors toward the Extreme Legion. After an unexpected change of heart, Marius swore loyalty to Rayne, and his symbiotic transformation began pushing him toward the Saint Tier.

• Tyrien advanced to the Legendary High Tier, deepening Marius’s fear that he could no longer control the increasingly powerful Extreme Warriors.
• Tyrien urged Marius to join Rayne, but Marius hesitated because he feared surrendering the Makragge Tribe’s independence and angering Gileman.
• After sensing something from the temple, Marius agreed to join the Extreme Legion and let Rayne recruit as many tribesmen as he wanted.
• Rayne arrived in Astartes City after dawn and announced his presence to the gathered Makragge.
• Marius swore loyalty to Rayne under Gileman’s witness, completed Primarch Symbiosis, and began surging toward the Saint Tier.

Rayne helped Marius break through to the Saint Tier, appointed him commander of the Extreme Legion, and granted him the Augustus surname after Marius pledged lifelong loyalty. Marius then brought three hundred Makragge warriors into the Legion, doubling its numbers, and Rayne prepared to return to the imperial capital.

• Rayne invested electricity in Marius's Strength, Tenacity, and Blood Rage Elements, triggering three Legendary Elements and Marius's ascension to the Saint Tier.
• Rayne appointed Marius commander of the Extreme Legion and gave him specially made Power Armor, which Marius tested by flying across the highlands.
• Marius pledged lifelong loyalty to Rayne using his full name, and Rayne granted him the surname Augustus.
• Marius presented three hundred Makragge warriors for the Extreme Legion, and Rayne accepted them without replacing anyone.
• Rayne established Primarch Contracts with the three hundred warriors, raising them to Legendary Intermediate Tier and increasing the Extreme Legion to six hundred members.
• Rayne decided it was time to return to the imperial capital.

Rayne returned after becoming a Soul Saint Wizard, and Ansiwodoss planned to announce his advancement at Rayne’s inauguration. After forming his new cabinet, Rayne appointed the mysterious Frank Underwood as chief of staff and invited Mechanics Guild leaders to discuss a new Industrial Department.

• Rayne appointed Marius commander of the battle group and ordered Sikarius and Tyrien to organize the new Extreme Warriors into companies.
• Ansiwodoss celebrated Rayne’s promotion and decided to announce it at his governor’s inauguration ceremony.
• Rayne reunited with Viola, asked her to keep his promotion secret, and held a celebratory banquet that helped establish the Empire’s political structure for the next ten years.
• Frank Underwood introduced himself to Belisarius and Akalande as Rayne’s new chief of staff and escorted them to meet the governor.
• Rayne told the Mechanics Guild vice presidents he intended to establish an Industrial Department, prompting Akalande to ask whether the minister had already been chosen.

Rayne proposed creating a powerful Industrial Department to accelerate the Empire’s transition into an industrial nation, securing the Mechanics Guild’s support with a deal to supply materials for Gotham. The guild agreed to back his plans, and Belisarius recommended Fastin—not Akalande—as Minister of Industry.

• Belisarius questioned the Industrial Department’s purpose and authority, and Rayne gave him a document outlining its responsibilities, structure, and the importance of industry.
• Rayne said industry and education would be the priorities of his term and explained that he intended to drive an Industrial Revolution across the Empire through the department and a Five-Year Plan.
• Belisarius pledged the Mechanics Guild’s full support after Rayne raised Gotham’s supply needs, and agreed to deliver materials worth more than one hundred million Gold Shields within a year.
• When Rayne asked for a ministerial candidate, Belisarius recommended Fastin and insisted he was more suitable than Akalande; Rayne accepted the recommendation.

Rayne Augustus was inaugurated as Archon of the Aurelian Empire, with the Goddess of Magic personally witnessing his oath. Ansiwodoss then revealed Rayne had become a Soul Saint Wizard and moved to add him to the High Council, prompting Tim Kainan to ask the Goddess to intervene.

• Rayne rode in a grand procession from Maringer Manor to Fubeden Castle, where citizens welcomed him as the new Archon.
• At the Temple of Truth, Vejestri descended in a Saint Avatar, blessed the gathered people, and witnessed Rayne swear his oath of office.
• Rayne completed the inauguration oath and received a blessing from Vejestri as the crowd applauded.
• Ansiwodoss announced that Rayne had advanced to become a Soul Saint Wizard, and Rayne released his aura to confirm it.
• Ansiwodoss nominated Rayne to join the High Council, and six Modu School members raised their hands in support.
• Tim Kainan objected and appealed to Vejestri to remove Rayne as Archon or veto his admission to the High Council.

Rayne secured his place as both Consul and the High Council’s thirteenth member after Vejestri tacitly supported his appointment. The chapter ended with his inauguration procession completed and his move into He Palace still to come.

• Kailstone proposed barring Rayne from the High Council and banning Soul Saint Wizards from serving as Consul, while Tim Kainan supported the compromise.
• Vejestri stated that Rayne should enter the High Council if the vote passed and that the Consul’s dismissal depended on the Empire’s will.
• Wantuosrui, Master Huo Huai, raised his hand in support, giving the proposal seven votes and securing Rayne’s seat; Kailstone then apologized after challenging the goddess’s authority.
• Ansiwodoss announced that Rayne Augustus had become the High Council’s thirteenth member, and Rayne delivered a brief speech about industry and education.
• Vejestri and the Soul Saint Wizards departed, and Rayne completed a celebratory procession through Northril City before returning to Fubeden Castle; moving into He Palace remained the final step.

Rayne took office as Governance Hall administrator, began reviewing the Empire’s affairs, and settled into He Palace. After work, he reunited with his family and invited them to live there, leaving them awed by their new life.

• Rayne arrived at He Palace and was welcomed by Otiluk and its officials, then went straight to the administrator’s office instead of taking a tour.
• Otiluk briefed Rayne on the Empire’s urgent business and warned that his teacher might recall the Falanis Floating City early, prompting Rayne to hurry with the trading company.
• Rayne photographed and signed hundreds of accumulated documents, then ordered Frank to schedule a cabinet meeting for the next morning.
• Rayne returned to his residence and greeted Old Bard, Malinda, Briset, Calody, Kacy, Viola, Emilith, and Rex.
• Rayne eased his family’s awkwardness over dinner and invited Old Bard, Malinda, and Kacy to make He Palace their home.

Rayne won unanimous High Council approval to establish an Industrial Department and a Ministry of Education. He introduced Fastin and Kenfeishius as their ministers at his first cabinet meeting, where Magnus Hastings also appeared.

• Rayne attended his first High Council meeting as a Soul Saint Wizard and was given a seat in the High Palace.
• Rayne proposed creating an Industrial Department and a Ministry of Education, and Kailstone warned him to keep the Minister of Industry independent from the Mechanics Guild.
• All twelve Soul Saint Wizards voted to approve both departments unanimously.
• Rayne returned to Governance Hall and gathered his cabinet ministers for their first meeting.
• Rayne announced the new departments and introduced Fastin as Minister of Industry, Kenfeishius as Minister of Education, and Magnus Hastings as Governor of the Subcontinent.

Rayne introduced Fastin, Kenfeishius, and Magnus to the Cabinet, then used the new departments and Trade Company to extend his control over the Empire and the Subcontinent. After arranging a substitute to cover his absence, Rayne visited the King Kong Fortress base, where Marius proposed unifying the Thane Plateau in Gileman's name.

• Rayne introduced Fastin as Minister of Industry, Kenfeishius as Minister of Education, and Magnus as Governor of the Subcontinent, revealing that Kenfeishius and Magnus were his Level 19 clones.
• Rayne tasked Viola with recruiting staff for the new departments, ordered Aishilei to prepare their budget, and sent Magnus to take control of the Subcontinent and establish the Trade Company.
• Magnus took command of the Imperial Legion, suppressed the Gupta Kingdom's rebels, installed Budihha II as king, and built the Trade Company's headquarters on the ruins of Shivaji Royal Palace.
• More than two hundred representatives attended the Trade Company's first shareholders' meeting in Banbei City, where shareholders divided up exclusive product franchises.
• Rayne attended the meeting briefly, returned to Northril, and later left a substitute in He Palace before teleporting to the King Kong Fortress base.
• Marius asked Rayne to let him unify the Thane Plateau and restore Gileman's glory.

Rayne learned that Gileman was wounded rather than dead and wanted the Thane Plateau unified to restore his following. After seeing Gileman’s map of valuable mines, Rayne agreed to help, but insisted the plateau become his own territory.

• Rayne questioned Marius about why the Empire had never conquered the Thane Plateau, and Marius revealed that he wanted to unify it for Gileman.
• Marius explained that Gileman had been gravely wounded by the Lord of Darkness and needed the plateau’s people to return to his faith so he could recover and awaken.
• Marius showed Rayne a detailed map of the plateau’s valuable mineral deposits and promised that Gileman would offer another precious gift after awakening.
• Rayne considered the risks of Gileman’s return and devised ways to ensure the Extreme Legion could not threaten his authority.
• Rayne agreed to help unify the plateau on the condition that it become his territory, citing his new authority as a Soul Saint Wizard.

Rayne secured the title of Duke Golden Emblem and chose Osian Province as his duchy, explaining that he planned to use it as a base to bring the Thane Plateau into the Empire. After the Goddess of Magic approved his investiture, Rayne arrived in Qingtan City to take up his new territory.

• Rayne decided to choose Osian Province as his duchy and use a strategy inspired by Duke Redstone's influence over the Northern Great Prairie.
• At the High Council meeting, Kailstone challenged Rayne's motives, and Rayne threatened to investigate taxation on the Northern Great Prairie.
• Rayne revealed that he planned to conquer the Thane Plateau with his own forces and incorporate it into the Empire without requesting imperial funding.
• The High Council approved Osian Province as Rayne's territory, and the Goddess of Magic invested him as Duke Golden Emblem.
• Rayne announced his new title at a press conference at He Palace, then arrived in Qingtan City to a warm welcome from the people of Osian Province.

Rayne arrived in Qingtan City to take control of the Osian Dukedom and warned its officials against opposing his plans. He offered Governor Moserio a choice between governing Suranye Province and staying in Osian as his steward, and Moserio chose to serve Rayne.

• Rayne arrived at the governor's residence with the Rick Guard, the Extreme Legion, five hundred knights, and a group of Dwarves.
• Moserio and Osian's officials welcomed Rayne, who warned that he would show no mercy to anyone who sabotaged his plans for the dukedom.
• Rayne toured the governor's residence with Moserio and assessed the former governor's abilities, resentment, and standing in Osian.
• Rayne offered Moserio the governorship of Suranye Province or a temporary position as steward of the Osian Dukedom.
• Moserio chose to remain in Qingtan City and serve Rayne as steward.