Chapter Summaries

Angel and Winchester’s fight drew Sky Mechanical City’s enforcement captains, but none dared intervene until Sabo revealed that Angel was a member of the Research Institute. Winchester and Bruffin withdrew, and Sabo then told Angel that Midora wanted to meet with him at the Research Institute.

• Sky Mechanical City’s enforcement captains gathered to watch Angel and Winchester fight, but they hesitated to approach because both were powerful and Sanders was in the city.
• Angel considered how to escape the growing stalemate as Winchester waited for his reserves of magic power to run low.
• Sabo arrived with Bruffin and warned Winchester that attacking Angel again would violate city regulations because Angel belonged to the Research Institute.
• Winchester and Bruffin accepted the warning and left, while Sabo and the enforcement captains recognized Angel’s status.
• Sabo told Angel that Midora had asked him to bring Angel to the Research Institute for a discussion.

After his battle with Winchester, Angel accompanied Sabo to Sky Mechanical City’s Research Institute, where he explored its exhibition of original inventions before meeting Midora. Midora welcomed Angel but had not yet explained why he summoned him.

• Angel accepted Sabo’s invitation to visit Midora, and they traveled to the Research Institute in Reverse City.
• Angel used his access card to enter the Research Institute and explored its corridors of invention displays.
• Angel boarded an elevator that carried him to the fiftieth floor, where the exhibition ended and Midora was waiting.
• Midora remarked on Angel’s transformation and revealed that Sky Mechanical City magazines had been featuring him on their covers.
• Angel asked Midora why he had called him, but Midora had not yet answered.

Angel followed Midora through the Research Institute and discovered that its true laboratory was a hidden mechanical city inside the tower. The chapter ended with them reaching Creation Hall, where someone had been waiting for Angel.

• Midora explained that Research Institute members from wizard organizations returned when new products were unveiled to carry information back to their groups, and that Angel now connected Savage Cave to the Institute.
• Angel saw an empty display case reserved for the mysterious object called the Reincarnation Box, created by Ivo Sprit, and Midora declined to explain its history.
• Midora opened the mechanical gate with Angel’s access card, revealing Fantasy Mechanical City, a concealed city of steel and machinery.
• A mechanical bird invited Angel inside, and Midora explained that the city contained shared and private laboratories while its animated inhabitants teased and harassed him.
• Angel followed Midora past a pool of dangerous reactive fluid and climbed to Creation Hall, the highest point of Fantasy Mechanical City.

Angel visited Creation Hall in the Research Institute and met its director, Muse, whose mechanical dolls were researching a project inspired by Angel’s Mechanical Armament. Muse questioned Angel about the mecha concept, leaving Angel’s earlier connection to Muse—and the possibility of future collaboration—newly apparent.

• At Creation Hall’s entrance, Antonio’s split personalities welcomed Angel, and Midora explained that Antonio could protect him inside the Research Institute.
• Angel entered the six-floor laboratory and saw thousands of mechanical dolls researching different parts of the same project.
• Midora told Angel that his Mechanical Armament had inspired the research and revealed that Muse had been present when Angel installed the arm for his friend.
• Muse introduced himself as the Research Institute’s director and told Angel he had been looking forward to hearing more about mecha.
• Angel explained his alchemist’s concept of mecha, answered Muse’s questions, and left several problems unresolved for future research.

Muse showed Angel his mechanical armament and asked to use Angel’s ideas about mecha, promising compensation. Angel then attended the witnessing ceremony for his Research Institute admission, where he recognized Fingernail Granny and learned that an absent member was known as the Grafting Maniac.

• Muse showed Angel his mechanical armament and asked permission to incorporate Angel’s mecha ideas, offering compensation.
• Antonio summoned Muse to the witnessing ceremony, and Midora warned Angel not to refuse Muse’s payment.
• Muse led Angel and Midora to a Sky Fortress, where Angel took part in a ceremony requiring the approval of at least ten Research Institute members.
• Angel met Bauxia, who said many members had attended as illusions and that Fingernail Granny was present in person.
• Bauxia pointed out an empty seat and asked Angel whether he had heard of the Grafting Maniac.

At the Research Institute’s witnessing ceremony, Angel faced objections from Maguston, an alchemist tied to the Frost Moon Alliance, over his potential and qualifications. Muse asked Angel to prove his skill, so Angel placed Ocean Rhythm on the table, leaving the assembled members impressed by its appearance.

• Bauxia told Angel that Witch Dongla was a threatening, unpredictable Research Institute member who had missed the ceremony, and Angel asked whether Jeral belonged to the Institute.
• Muse began Angel’s witnessing ceremony, and Bauxia, Midora, and Fingernail Granny each voiced support for him.
• Maguston argued that Angel’s potential did not prove his strength or justify full membership, but Fingernail Granny cited Angel’s contact with the mysterious realm and Midora noted that Muse had chosen to oversee his assessment.
• Muse challenged Maguston’s doubts about Angel’s alchemical skill by asking about a circulated recording of Angel’s work at sea.
• Angel brought out Ocean Rhythm, and the members admired its flawless appearance and intricate details.

Angel won approval to join the Research Institute after Muse confirmed Ocean Rhythm was a high-rank alchemical creation. The witnessing ceremony ended with every member agreeing, and Muse prepared to enter Angel’s information on his access card before they returned to Fantasy Mechanical City.

• Muse confirmed Ocean Rhythm was a high-rank alchemical creation and said Angel qualified for membership, despite Maguston’s earlier objection.
• The Water-Pattern Witch asked about Ocean Rhythm, and Angel revealed that it enhanced affinity with the water element while keeping its Inspiration effect secret.
• The members voiced their agreement during the witnessing ceremony, and Maguston finally endorsed Angel’s admission.
• The contract took Angel’s blank Research Institute access card so his new information could be entered.
• After the meeting, Muse told Angel they would return to Fantasy Mechanical City to complete his information.

Angel learned about the Research Institute’s benefits, duties, and rotating leadership while deciding to postpone teaching and other commitments. He received an access card for the Research Institute and Sky Mechanical City, leaving his official title undecided.

• Angel spoke with Sanders, who told him that Leon had left with Nausicaa.
• Midora explained the Research Institute’s benefits, teaching duties, and rotating acting-dean role, while Angel said he would focus on more urgent matters for now.
• Midora identified Bauxia as the alchemist who discovered Bosia's Triangular Congruence Formula and described the meeting’s attendees, including Maguston and Dongla.
• Antonio gave Angel an access card that also served as his Sky Mechanical City identity card and granted access to the Endless Corridor.
• Angel left his title blank for the time being and said he would tell Antonio when he had chosen one.

After choosing a residence in Fantasy Mechanical City, Angel left with Midora and learned that Bogula might soon emerge from the Myriad Sounds Demon Abyss and advance into true knowledge. Angel took Midora’s warning seriously and headed toward Champagne Road, where rumors about his recent actions were already spreading.

• Angel chose a ready-made residence in a secluded part of Fantasy Mechanical City and said goodbye to Antonio.
• Midora left with Angel to deliver Yeliya’s unfinished potion formula, and Angel changed his appearance to avoid being recognized by Tuya.
• Tuya arrived with Dudu and delivered a notebook to Midora, then realized that the disguised man was Angel after Angel departed.
• Midora warned Angel that Bogula had sent information pheromones from inside the Myriad Sounds Demon Abyss and might emerge soon with the chance to advance into true knowledge.
• Angel took the warning to heart and went to Champagne Road, where people were already discussing his confrontation on Mansi Magic Material Street and his new membership in the Research Institute.

Angel visited Youthful Grace Hall to check on Leon and help Nausicaa and Shan improve their equipment. After finding Leon adapting well to his training and upgrading Nausicaa’s mechanical arm, Angel said goodbye to his friends and left.

• Angel heard a dramatic account of his fight with Winchester at Kihara Bar and left the storyteller to his audience.
• Angel found Shan excitedly lamenting that she had missed the battle, Xiliu asleep beside her, and Leon training under Nausicaa’s guidance.
• Nausicaa recognized Angel despite his middle-aged disguise, and he revealed his true appearance and reassured his friends about the fight and his safety.
• Angel repaired and upgraded Nausicaa’s mechanical arm with conductive magic patterns, then helped Shan adjust Ganke’s body.
• Angel said goodbye to Nausicaa, Shan, Xiliu, and Leon after confirming Leon was adapting well to life at Youthful Grace Hall.

Angel watched Serum’s first seventh-floor match, where the unknown apprentice revealed a rare Sage Body while fighting the celebrated ice-element apprentice Saushier. Serum lost after Saushier trapped himself in an ice prison, then fell into a healing sleep, so Angel left his farewell with Black Codex.

• Angel entered the crowded viewing area and learned Saushier was a potential seed whose match had been opened to spectators.
• Saushier repeatedly attacked Serum’s darkness transformations with large-area ice tricks, but Serum endured the onslaught as Saushier’s magic power dwindled.
• Serum’s darkness transformation shattered, revealing his Sage Shield and shocking the spectators with proof that he had a Sage Body.
• Black Codex tried to defeat Saushier, but Saushier trapped himself in an ice prison while Serum was blown out of the arena, giving Saushier the victory.
• Serum fell into a two- or three-day healing sleep, so Angel asked Black Codex to pass along his farewell.

Angel and Sanders traveled through the Fairy Tale World toward Black Castle, discussing Talos and the threats posed by the Frost Moon Alliance. After entering the Inner World, they encountered a colossal Peril Mountain Giant and fled its territory.

• Angel told Sanders that Talos had once refused to open Silent Hill's gate while Isabella pursued him, and Sanders said Angel could kill Talos once he became a True-Knowledge Wizard.
• Sanders assured Angel that Winchester and Bruffin would not trouble him, but warned that the Frost Moon Alliance might act against him; Savage Cave would protect him because he had joined the Research Institute.
• Sanders opened a spatial rift on a desolate plain and brought Angel into the Inner World.
• The ground shook as a colossal Peril Mountain Giant rose among the mountains, and Sanders took Angel away from its territory.
• Sanders explained that the Giant's strength and defenses exceeded those of a first-level True-Knowledge Wizard, but it could remain powerful only in the Inner World.

Angel and Sanders investigated the strange silence around Black Castle, learning that its nearby abyss had once been used to dispose of corpses. They reached a cemetery without encountering any undead or Black Castle residents, and Sanders began sensing the area while Angel told Bobota they had arrived.

• Sanders explained that the Solar Bird's Fallen Pit held corpses transported to Black Castle through underground pipes, and that its deathly aura came from the mass graves below.
• Angel and Sanders crossed the pit and entered Black Castle's territory, finding the deadwood thicket eerily quiet and free of undead.
• After walking through the thicket and past bones and decayed corpses, Sanders stopped in a cemetery because he could sense no one from Black Castle.
• Sanders spread his spiritual power to sense the region while Angel contacted Bobota in his bracelet.
• Angel told Bobota they had arrived at Black Castle, but had not yet reached Sparrow Sparrow.

Angel warned Bobota that his sister, Sparrow Sparrow, was nearby, but Bobota’s worsening condition and the undead crisis at Black Castle complicated their reunion. Sanders showed Angel that countless undead had gathered around Black Castle, and they flew toward it under a concealment illusion.

• Angel told Bobota that Sparrow Sparrow was nearby and urged him to pause his research into Soft-State Worms, but Bobota refused and chose to meet his sister as he was.
• Bobota learned that the undead near Black Castle had disappeared and worried the situation might affect Sparrow Sparrow, who was a death spirit.
• Sanders revealed that undead surrounded Black Castle in enormous numbers, even though its warding array remained active and no one inside seemed to respond.
• Angel suggested that someone might be controlling the undead, and Sanders agreed that whoever did so would need immense power.
• Sanders covered himself and Angel with a Nightmare Illusion, and they flew toward Black Castle without being detected.

Angel and Sanders returned to Sparrow Sparrow’s illusion and found evidence that someone had visited the well and that Sparrow Sparrow had disappeared. Angel discovered her record book, which revealed her memories of him, a frightening faceless visitor, and a new drawing that surprised him.

• Sanders and Angel reached the graveyard, found footprints leading into the dry well, and saw that Sparrow Sparrow was missing from the intact illusion.
• Sanders traced the footprints to a slight woman who had entered within the past two months and suggested Sparrow Sparrow might have left a message.
• Angel found Sparrow Sparrow’s record book and saw drawings of their first meeting and her time with Angel and Gloria.
• Angel learned from the entries that Sparrow Sparrow had spent months alone and repeatedly seen a faceless figure outside the illusion, which frightened her.
• Angel turned to another illustrated page and was surprised by what Sparrow Sparrow had drawn.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Hua Queque's record book reveals that Greya visited her once after leaving Illusion Demon Island.
• A faceless figure appears in Hua Queque's drawings twice, with subtle differences, suggesting two distinct entities.
• Hua Queque's last entry shows her leaving with an unknown woman in a long dress.
• Angel shares the record book with Ta, revealing Hua Queque's whereabouts and her feelings for Angel.

Character Developments

• Hua Queque: Shows growth and change, expressing her feelings for Angel through her record book.
• Ta: Matures and gains composure, managing his emotions to focus on finding his sister.
• Angel: Demonstrates empathy and understanding, helping Ta cope with the situation.

Significant Themes

• Love and longing (Hua Queque's feelings for Angel)
• Fear and anxiety (Hua Queque's reaction to the faceless figure)
• Trust and betrayal (Hua Queque's trust in the unknown woman)

Character Interactions

• Angel and Ta: Angel supports Ta emotionally and shares the record book to help him understand Hua Queque's situation.
• Hua Queque and the unknown woman: Hua Queque trusts this woman enough to leave with her, despite not highlighting any of her characteristics.
• Hua Queque and the faceless figure: Hua Queque fears the faceless figure, suggesting a past encounter or threat.

Angel and Sanders left Sparrow Sparrow’s well after Bobota learned how grim her graveyard home had been and received her skeleton. They then headed toward Black Castle, where Sanders detected a faint trace of information and led Angel into the forest.

• Angel and Bobota concluded that a faceless figure had likely driven Sparrow Sparrow to leave, then departed the illusion.
• Bobota saw the graveyard where Sparrow Sparrow had lived, grieved over her suffering, and thanked Angel for helping her.
• Angel gave Bobota Sparrow Sparrow’s intact skeleton, and Bobota returned to the bracelet to study a Soft-State Worm egg.
• Sanders reported that Black Castle showed no signs of activity, so he and Angel set out to investigate it.
• As they approached the ridge, Sanders caught some information and darted into the forest with Angel following.

Natasha fled through the Black Forest after losing her magic, but a fall ruined much of her half-mechanical body and left her surrounded by undead. Angel rescued her, and after she recognized Sanders, she agreed to take them to Gloria before collapsing; Angel began assessing how to restore her mobility.

• Natasha tripped over an armored skeleton, damaged her right foot, and rolled down a steep slope as her mechanical body broke apart.
• Nearly a hundred undead surrounded Natasha, and she believed she would die before remembering Huahua’s promise that she would return.
• Angel appeared, eliminated the undead, and explained to Sanders that Natasha was a modified half-mechanical human with her original soul.
• Angel asked whether Gloria was in Black Castle, and Sanders threatened to extract the information from Natasha’s mind.
• Natasha recognized Sanders as the Phantom Demon and agreed to lead them to Gloria, but collapsed when she tried to walk.
• Angel examined Natasha’s ruined components and offered to restore her ability to move.

Angel repaired Natasha’s mechanical body, and she led him and Sanders toward a node while they discussed the alchemist Madam Kimberly. Undead ambushed Natasha at the node, but their grasping hands suddenly vanished, leaving her unharmed and confused.

• Angel repaired Natasha’s mechanical body and charged her ten magic crystals, restoring her movement in less than half an hour.
• Natasha led Angel and Sanders away from Black Castle and told Angel that Madam Kimberly had refined her mechanical body.
• Sanders explained that Kimberly had left the Southern Region more than six hundred years earlier and had ties to Kant of Ruye; Natasha said Kimberly returned a year ago.
• Natasha warned that undead likely guarded the nearby node, and Angel cautiously approached with the Prelude of the Undead.
• Undead hands burst from the ground, seized Natasha, and overwhelmed her with their cries, but suddenly scattered like dust before she could be harmed.

Angel and Sanders helped Natasha reach a spatial node by destroying waves of undead with Angel’s gun. Natasha teleported ahead to seek permission for their entry into Black Castle, while Angel and Sanders sensed that the castle lay in a special space beneath them and waited rather than entering uninvited.

• Angel used his gun to destroy a powerful undead that had frozen Natasha with its howl, then urged her to continue toward the node.
• Angel cleared waves of undead along the route, and Natasha considered whether his gun could help resolve Black Castle’s crisis.
• Natasha activated the spatial node and spoke with its controller, who opened only one teleportation slot and asked her to go ahead for approval.
• Sanders agreed to let Natasha teleport alone, and she disappeared through the node.
• Angel and Sanders sensed that Black Castle was in a special space beneath them, but they chose to wait for permission rather than enter its territory.