Chapter Summaries

Rayne dissolved the Kemetis Supreme Council, stripped its leaders of titles and privileges, and revealed the Thunder God's Hammer as he challenged three Soul Saint Wizards for control of their Floating Cities. Tim*Kainan, Kongjielade, and Kailstone accepted, and the chapter ended as the fighters prepared to battle.

• Rayne descended before the people of Fubeideng Square and received their salute as Consul.
• Rayne declared the Kemetis Supreme Council dissolved after rejecting Tim*Kainan’s claim that power came from strength.
• Rayne stripped TimKainan, Kongjielade, Kailstone, Magna, and Mayov of titles or privileges and expelled TimKainan and Kailstone from the Empire.
• Rayne claimed the three Floating Cities as spoils of war and offered to return them if their rulers survived a fight against him.
• Rayne summoned the legendary Thunder God's Hammer, shocking the crowd and strengthening speculation that he would become emperor.
• Kailstone, Tim*Kainan, and Kongjielade agreed to fight Rayne, and both sides took their positions in the square.

Rayne defeated Kailstone, Great Sage Kongjielade, and Tim Kainan in a battle before the people of the Empire. He opened Rick Palace and was crowned Emperor of the Aurelian Empire, marking the start of a new era.

• The Three Gods of the Empire established a protected arena, and Rayne faced Tim Kainan, Great Sage Kongjielade, and Kailstone in a battle for the Floating Cities.
• Rayne used Time Stop, Antimagic Field, and his Mirror Images to overcome the wizards’ coordinated attack, destroy Kongjielade’s Golems, and kill Kailstone.
• Rayne forced Kongjielade and Tim Kainan to surrender and allowed them to reclaim their Floating Cities.
• Rayne opened the sealed Rick Palace, sat upon the Golden Throne, and was crowned Emperor of the Aurelian Empire by Vejestri.
• The Empire’s soldiers and citizens hailed Rayne as emperor, while Tim Kainan and Great Sage Kongjielade recognized that a new era had begun.

After accepting oaths of allegiance and stabilizing the Empire, Rayne investigated the Golden Throne and discovered that its hidden Rune Array drained Emperors’ vitality and twisted their minds. He suspected the ancient Soul Saint Wizard Ogulvi had planted the trap, and began planning to modify the array to protect Northril as he considered the power of the Three Gods Crown.

• Rayne accepted oaths of allegiance from the Empire’s leaders and forces while monitoring public opinion, which largely supported his coronation.
• Rayne entered Rick Palace and used the All-Seeing Eye to inspect the Rune Array beneath the Golden Throne.
• Rayne discovered that the Golden Throne secretly drained its occupant’s vitality and gradually warped their mind, explaining the Aurelian Emperors’ short reigns and decline into tyranny.
• Rayne found no records of the Rune Array’s creator and suspected Master Ogulvi had concealed the trap to undermine the Emperors and prepare for the High Council’s rise.
• Rayne planned to install Iola’s Core and replace or modify the old Rune Array, possibly creating a Magic Torchlight to protect all of Northril.
• Rayne examined the Three Gods Crown, a Lesser Divine Artifact forged from Loki’s former vessel core and infused with the Three Gods’ Divine Power.

Rayne examined the Three Gods Crown and its divine powers, then asked Viola to become his empress. After Viola accepted, they went to reunite with Rayne’s family and children at the He Palace estate.

• Rayne studied the Three Gods Crown’s Silver Fire, Justice Benediction, and Life’s Elegy, recognizing its power and its symbolic importance as the imperial crown.
• Viola visited Rayne, and he let her hold the crown before explaining that his authority came from power, the army, and the people’s support.
• Rayne knelt before Viola and asked her to become his empress, and she accepted joyfully.
• Viola told Rayne that his family and children were waiting for him at a family banquet, so he opened a Portal and took her to the He Palace estate.

Rayne met with his family as the newly crowned emperor, eased their awkwardness, and announced titles and territories for several relatives. He ended the gathering by declaring that Viola would be crowned empress in a few months.

• Garrison knelt before Rayne and pledged his loyalty, after which Rayne told his family they could speak freely with him.
• Rayne promised his children titles and land when they were old enough, then announced that Old Bard would become a duke with a territory on the New Continent.
• Rayne offered earldoms on the New Continent to Briset and Calody; Briset accepted after Rayne promised him an annual income of two to three hundred thousand Gold Shields.
• Rayne granted Kacy a viscounty, and Garrison excitedly thanked him.
• Rayne announced that Viola's empress coronation ceremony would take place in a few months.

Rayne declared that Viola would become empress and stopped Emilith from challenging his decision, then took Rex to the damaged Pallas Floating City. There, Rayne found Iola's Core ownerless even though Kailstone had still been alive when its soul binding was discovered removed.

• Rayne named Viola as his empress, and Emilith objected before backing down after he threatened to make Rex King of Kangatlo.
• Viola urged Emilith to preserve family harmony, and the banquet continued before Rayne took Rex with him to work.
• Rayne brought Rex to the Governance Hall, where Rex listened as ministers and officials reported to his father.
• After finishing his work, Rayne took Rex to Pallas Floating City and explained that its surviving residents had been sent away while the city was being repaired.
• Rayne showed Rex Iola's Core in the control room and recalled that its soul binding had been removed before he killed Kailstone.

Rayne suspected Kailstone had faked his death and prepared for his possible return, then spoke honestly with Rex about the dangers of the imperial succession. He gave Rex Pallas Floating City, which Rex successfully bound himself to, and promised him a Star Destroyer if he became a Soul Saint Wizard.

• Rayne deduced that Kailstone had voluntarily broken his binding to Iola's Core to conceal his survival, and resolved to prepare for his revenge.
• Rayne asked Rex whether he resented him for choosing Octavius as heir, and Rex admitted he was envious and felt overlooked.
• Rayne explained that the crown prince faced danger from his enemies and urged Rex and his siblings to grow strong, survive, and care for one another.
• Rayne gave Pallas Floating City to Rex and taught him how to bind himself to Iola's Core.
• Rex mastered the Core in an hour and a half, and Rayne promised to repair the Floating City and provide him with a thousand Rayne's Heavenly Soldiers.
• Rayne told Rex he would give him a Star Destroyer if he advanced to become a Soul Saint Wizard.

Rayne arrived at Falanis to oversee Tim Kainan’s exile and suggested that the expelled wizards settle on the Dark Continent. The chapter ended with Tim Kainan considering Rayne’s proposal despite the continent’s dangers and the Ramon Empire’s claims.

• After Tim Kainan opened Falanis to residents leaving the Empire, about two hundred thousand people boarded the Floating City as it prepared to depart.
• Rayne arrived aboard the Augustus with Rainbow Dragon Knights and met Tim Kainan, Mayov, and the Legendary Wizards of Eight Leaves.
• Rayne asked where Tim Kainan planned to go and offered a suggestion, prompting Tim Kainan to hear him out.
• Rayne named Blake-Afedilan, the Dark Continent, and Tansen and the other wizards angrily accused him of sending them to their deaths.
• Rayne explained the Dark Continent’s history, its dangers, and the Ramon Empire’s expansion there, while Tim Kainan listened thoughtfully.

Rayne secured Tim Kainan’s agreement to take Falanis to Malgaš Island and gave it troops, Archmages, and long-term supplies, while keeping the Empire officially uninvolved. After Falanis departed, Rayne reestablished Imperial rule over Longpis and summoned the Empire’s leading officials to Rick Palace.

• Tim Kainan agreed that Falanis would establish a foothold on Malgaš Island, build a city, and rule the Moliner within thirty years in exchange for permission to return to the Empire.
• Rayne gave Falanis a Legion of Heavenly Soldiers, two Archmages, and a promise of supplies and Alchemical Materials worth ten million Gold Shields each year for thirty years.
• Rayne told Tim Kainan that Ansiwodoss had completed the modification of the Hess Magic Array and offered Falanis’s Legendary Wizards a chance to advance to Soul Saint in Northril.
• Tim Kainan ordered Falanis Floating City to depart for Malgaš Island, while Rayne remained behind with the Augustus.
• Rayne inspected Longpis and nearby cities, established Longpis Province, and appointed a governor and mayors.
• Rayne issued a holy decree summoning former High Council members, Soul Saint Wizards, Imperial councilors, and Cabinet ministers to Rick Palace the following morning.

Rayne announced Viola Silverstar as his empress and outlined a sweeping reform that would merge the Empire’s armies into the Empire Defense Army. The commanders accepted the reorganization, including Legrifen, whose Griffon Legion lost its independent status.

• Rayne announced that Viola Silverstar had agreed to become empress, and the ministers greeted her as “Your Grace.”
• Rayne declared that the Duke’s Guard would become the Empire Defense Army and that the imperial legions and knight orders would be reorganized under it.
• The commanders pledged to obey Rayne’s reforms, and Heistok accepted command of a division formed from soldiers removed from the Rick Guard.
• Rayne appointed Aylayn Mossgreen commander of the new Second Legion and kept Fustalan in command of the reorganized Third Legion.
• Rayne split the Griffon Legion into reconnaissance battalions and an air force division, and Legrifen accepted the order.
• Rayne proposed expanding the Empire Defense Army to one million soldiers and building thirty Imperial-class Star Destroyers; no one objected.

Rayne proposed expanding the Empire Defense Army to one million soldiers and building thirty Imperial-class and five Victory-class Star Destroyers, arguing that the Empire needed to prepare for threats beyond its borders. He also consolidated military power under the Ministry of Defense, restricted private armies, and concluded by announcing the creation of the Imperial Senate.

• Rayne defended the million-soldier army as protection against threats such as the Abyss, then reassured the council that the army would not invade it, though he raised a possible future counterattack.
• Rayne proposed building thirty Imperial-class and five Victory-class Star Destroyers over twenty years, with the Empire and Rayne sharing the costs, and the councilors accepted the plan.
• Rayne ordered Batura to reorganize the army and Fastin to arrange Star Destroyer materials, shipyards, and construction plans.
• Rayne placed all military forces under the Ministry of Defense and imposed strict limits on nobles' private armies, while exempting vassal states; Batura, Duke Silverstar, and the Great Sage agreed to reduce their forces.
• Rayne announced plans for a Security Department and an Imperial Intelligence Bureau, then revealed the third institution would be the Imperial Senate.

Rayne introduced the Imperial Senate as a powerful body above the Imperial Council and used its generous pay and Legendary Tier Senator’s Rings to draw the Soul Saint Wizards and other officials into his plan. He set the Senate at twenty-five seats, with twenty-year terms and a Star Destroyer as a possible reward for exceptional service.

• Rayne announced the Imperial Senate and described Imperial Elders’ powers to advise the Emperor, oversee officials, and serve as his envoys or military commanders.
• Rayne offered Imperial Elders an annual salary of five hundred thousand Gold Shields, drawing the interest of the Soul Saint Wizards and indebted council members.
• Rayne demonstrated the Legendary Tier Senator’s Ring, explaining its spellcasting acceleration, Dimensional Space, defensive enchantments, and stored Ninth Circle spell.
• Rayne revealed twenty-five Senator’s Rings and declared that the Senate would have twenty-five seats open to Imperial Council members regardless of background or strength.
• Rayne set twenty-year terms, reserved five appointments for himself, and offered a Star Destroyer to an Elder who served five terms and made outstanding contributions.

Rayne appointed the first twenty-five Imperial Elders, drawing Soul Saint Wizards and influential figures from across the Empire into the Senate. Ansiwodoss then began announcing a Rune Array that could help Wizards and other transcendent professions advance to Saint Tier, and the palace erupted before he could finish.

• Rayne persuaded the Soul Saint Wizards, including Master Huo Huai and Tuzray, to join the Imperial Senate, and Ansiwodoss accepted the position of Chief Imperial Elder.
• Rayne appointed Luspel, Laudia, Belisarius, Batura, Margarita, and other influential figures as Imperial Elders, while Legrifen regretted siding with the Nether School.
• Rayne appointed Hestav after privately communicating with him, and Hestav pledged to incorporate the Trade City-States of Tuld into the Empire within three years.
• Rayne gave Emilith an Imperial Elder seat, then appointed Reslin, Kuilu, Livlin, Athina, Franciska, Saruman, and Xavier to fill the remaining seats.
• Ansiwodoss announced that he had completed a Rune Array to help Wizards fuse Spell Seals and reach Saint Tier, prompting an uproar in the palace.

Ansiwodoss unveiled the Promotion Array, which greatly improved the odds of advancing through Transcendent bottlenecks, and Rayne announced plans to build a Promotion Temple in Fubedeng Imperial Palace. The chapter ended with Rayne setting strict rules for access, placing the Empire’s path to advancement under his control.

• Ansiwodoss revealed that the Promotion Array reduced advancement difficulty by half, increased success rates by half, and could help both Spellcasters and other Transcendents.
• Rayne calmed the excited Imperial councilors as Ansiwodoss explained the array’s costs, effects, and remaining limitations.
• Rayne bestowed the title of Duke Wizerland and a fief in Sunshine Province on Ansiwodoss, then restricted the array’s secrets to humanity and its use to Wezelan Floating City and Fubedeng Imperial Palace.
• Rayne announced plans to build ten arrays in a Promotion Temple, fund them himself, and offer discounts to qualified Legendary Peak citizens.
• Rayne declared that applicants would submit their qualifications to him and that he would control access and usage order for the Promotion Array.

Rayne celebrated the God-birth Festival by crowning Viola, establishing the Promotion Temple, and using Vejestri's Magic Torch to purge Northril of evil beings before turning to the exhausting work of ruling the Empire. After Viola chose to leave her ministerial post, Rayne agreed to fulfill Elder Sorim's long-standing request and traveled to the Storm Temple to help clear the Storm Plane.

• Rayne crowned Viola Empress, confirmed Octavius as Crown Prince, ennobled Ansiwodoss Kenrito, and unveiled the Promotion Temple and its completed arrays.
• Rayne activated the Imperial Palace's Rune Array and Vejestri's Magic Torch, killing the evil beings and hidden enemies in Northril as the Goddess of Magic blessed the city's residents.
• Rayne spent weeks managing the Empire, then visited Viola, who told him she wanted to resign as Minister of Internal Affairs and focus on the Imperial Family and Lady of Long Hair's Church.
• Athina relayed Elder Sorim's request that Rayne fulfill his promise to help purge the enemies from the Storm Plane, and Rayne agreed.
• Rayne left a substitute in the Imperial Palace, boarded Alber Bay, Ship Eight, and traveled with Athina to the Storm Temple.

Rayne arrived at Storm Temple with Athina and his Star Destroyer, impressing the Storm Giants and meeting with Elder Solim. Solim revealed that an Element Lord had defeated the rival Thunder Feather Eagles and was now threatening the Storm Giants.

• The Star Destroyer arrived above Storm Temple, and Solim calmed the Giants before welcoming Rayne and Athina.
• Rayne and Athina greeted Solim, then Athina reunited with her mother Medith and brother Boros.
• Rayne examined Solim’s failed Titan Engine research and learned that Solim had improved the Titan Forge’s efficiency instead.
• Solim explained that Wind Element forces had defeated the Thunder Feather Eagles and killed their Demigod leader.
• Solim told Rayne that the Element Lord’s remaining target on the Storm Plane was the Storm Giants.

Rayne learned that Lohasia had gained the upper hand after Cloud Giants helped it master the Eastern Temple, and Solim revealed the Storm Temple system’s power to control the Storm Plane. After Rayne pressed Solim to disclose what he was hiding, the Titan Elder revealed that the Storm Temple concealed Anheroz’s Divine Fire.

• Solim told Rayne that Lohasia was a Wind Element Lord whose strength exceeded his own, and explained that it had entered the Storm Plane thousands of years earlier.
• Solim revealed that a Cloud Giant tribe from the Wind Element Plane had submitted to Lohasia and helped it use the Eastern Temple to defeat the Thunder Feather Eagle demigod.
• Solim suspected that Manno might be involved, and Rayne learned that the six Storm Temples had once formed a system that could control the entire Storm Plane.
• Rayne noticed Solim was concealing a crucial secret and threatened to leave unless the Titan Elder told him everything.
• Solim warned that the secret could attract threats greater than Manno, then revealed that the Storm Temple concealed Anheroz’s Divine Fire.

Rayne learned that the Storm Temple held an ownerless Divine Fire and that Solim intended to use it to become the God of Thunder. Rayne persuaded Solim to choose the Divine Duty of Giant instead, then agreed to help defend and rebuild the Storm Temple in exchange for control of the Storm Plane.

• Solim revealed that an ownerless Divine Fire was hidden in the Storm Temple and admitted he planned to ascend to godhood with the Divine Duty of Thunder.
• Rayne asked Solim to choose another Divine Duty, and Solim realized Rayne possessed a Divine Fire of his own.
• Rayne proposed that Solim claim the Divine Duty of Giant and unite the giant races, despite Annum still being asleep.
• Solim agreed to follow Rayne's advice for the sake of the giants.
• Rayne promised to help eliminate the enemy and rebuild the Storm Temple, demanding control of the Storm Plane in return.

Rayne negotiated with Solim over the Storm Plane and secured access to the Storm Temple’s secrets in exchange for helping rebuild it. Solim gave Rayne Annum’s Dragon-Slaying Sword and four Nebula Rings, while Rayne agreed not to seek control of the plane.

• Rayne offered Solim an autonomous territory in the Material Plane in exchange for the Storm Plane, but Solim refused because it held the Storm Giants’ ancestral heritage and future Divine Kingdom.
• Solim offered Rayne half of Anheroz’s treasury and gifts from the Source Crystal exchange list as compensation for giving up control of the Storm Temple.
• Rayne chose Annum’s Dragon-Slaying Sword from the list, examined its powerful enchantments, and accepted it from Solim.
• Rayne asked Solim for ten Nebula Rings or their manufacturing method; Solim gave him four rings and recorded the method in a metal book.
• Rayne asked to study the Storm Temple’s principles after it was rebuilt, and Solim agreed to open its secrets if Rayne helped accelerate the reconstruction.

Rayne joined Elder Solim to rally the Storm Giants and assemble their forces for an invasion to reclaim the Storm Plane. The fleet gathered a hundred thousand allied troops, and Rayne promised to help Solim obtain Divine Fire as they prepared to advance.

• Rayne visited Athina's family, reassured Boros that he could visit the Wezelan Floating City and meet Ansiwodoss, then spent the night at Athina's home.
• Solim rallied the Storm Giants, and four Star Destroyers joined the Alber Bay to form a fleet of five ships.
• Rayne revealed that he had sent twenty-five thousand Rayne's Heavenly Soldiers, including five thousand hidden Rayne's Thunder Forged Divine Soldiers.
• The fleet traveled across the Storm Plane and gathered more than a hundred thousand troops from the Frost Giants, other Giant tribes, Frost Trolls, Hill Dwarves, and Ice Throat Orcs.
• Athina learned that Solim planned to become a god, and Rayne promised to help him obtain Divine Fire before the five Star Destroyers activated their jumps.