Chapter Summaries

Angel brought Gloria, Sanders, Horus, and Azaz beyond the danger surrounding Sky Mechanical City as a mysterious light swept through the void. His scouting puppet revealed that the light entered the city’s central district without harming its inhabitants, and Azaz said it looked like an arrow.

• Angel opened doors repeatedly to carry the others beyond the reach of the darkness and light, leaving him exhausted.
• The light crossed the sky and flared over Sky Mechanical City before vanishing as the void rift began to repair itself.
• Angel revealed that his scouting puppet had seen the city’s residents were unharmed and the light enter the central district.
• Azaz timidly said the light that pierced through the void seemed to be an arrow.

Angel realized the arrow might be connected to a threat against City Lord Rosen and rushed to the Infinite Battle Tower in Sky Mechanical City. He found the summit sealed behind strange, blinding light, while Melantha was too frightened to explain what had happened inside.

• Horus questioned Azaz about how it knew the danger came from an arrow, and Azaz said Sebastian had seen a glowing arrow in the void.
• Angel recalled the Budding Believers’ threat to Rosen and hurried to the central district with Sanders and Horus, while Gloria and Azaz followed.
• Angel examined the Infinite Battle Tower and found no obvious damage, but Rosen and Antonio did not respond to his attempts to contact them.
• Melantha appeared at the summit in terror, and Angel flew toward the metal hall after realizing something had happened inside.
• Angel found the hall filled with blinding light, and Sanders stopped him from entering because the light blocked energy detection.

Angel entered the radiant metal hall to check on Rosen and found his severed head on the experimental table, along with a severed arm. Rosen was still alive, and Angel agreed to protect him and take him out of the hall.

• Angel used Nightmare Illusion to question Melantha, who said Rosen was inside and recalled seeing a radiant arrow pierce his heart.
• Angel entered the metal hall after confirming Melantha had emerged from it unharmed in the short term.
• Angel found a severed arm and Rosen's head on the experimental table and believed Rosen was dead.
• Rosen opened his eyes and told Angel that his brain would have died soon if the energy loss had continued.
• Angel created an energy-isolating membrane around Rosen's head and agreed to take him out of the hall.
• Rosen said his destroyed body could be replaced by Muse because most of it had been mechanical.

Angel found Rosen reduced to a head after a devastating arrow strike, while Rosen’s magic vortex began to collapse. Angel engraved an Energy-Balancing Magic Pattern that helped stabilize Rosen, and Muse teleported everyone away from the dangerous hall.

• Horus and Sanders saw Angel emerge carrying Rosen’s head, and Rosen revealed that he was still alive despite his grave injuries.
• Rosen explained that his magic vortex was collapsing and that Angel was engraving an Energy-Balancing Magic Pattern to slow it.
• Rosen confirmed that the arrow had struck him and then disappeared, though he did not know what it was.
• Muse and Antonio arrived, and Antonio sealed the hall and cleared away the wizards drawn by its light.
• Angel completed the Energy-Balancing Magic Pattern, and Rosen placed his head on the platform to steady his magic vortex.
• Muse teleported Angel, Sanders, Gloria, Rosen, and the others away from the hall.

Muse emerged from seclusion to examine Rosen and learned that the Budding Cult might have attacked him with a mysterious object capable of firing arrows. The group resolved to learn more about the Budding and its weapon, but Muse could only suggest that someone else might know what it was.

• Muse brought everyone to a fortified chamber, confirmed that Rosen was temporarily out of danger, and asked Antonio what had happened.
• Antonio recounted Angel's search for Rosen, Irene's disappearance, Si Man's abduction, and the discovery of the Budding Believers and their threat involving an arrow.
• Horus and Muse recognized the danger of the Budding's faith spreading, while Gloria questioned how an arrow could strike Rosen from beyond the void without affecting other realms.
• Angel sensed mysterious properties in the light that had wounded Rosen, and Rosen woke to confirm that the arrow had carried a mysterious fluctuation.
• Sanders urged the group to learn more about the Budding and its mysterious object, but Angel did not know what it was, and Muse suggested someone else might.

Muse contacted Isabella to identify the mysterious arrow that had appeared in Sky Mechanical City. Isabella recalled a similar Source World artifact called Hortep's Rage, also known as Loser's Arrow.

• Muse brought out a miniature signal tower, and Melantha woke to find Rosen's head on the table; Rosen reassured her that he would not die for the time being.
• Antonio explained how the miniature signal tower worked, and Angel said he had ideas for using Dream Wilderness to overcome long-distance transmission barriers.
• Muse used the tower to contact Isabella, who appeared on its light screen from Black Castle.
• After hearing Muse's account and seeing Angel's illusion of the arrow, Isabella recalled an artifact held by the Seventy-Seven Red Socks: Hortep's Rage, also known as Loser's Arrow.

Isabella explained the rumored powers and limitations of Loser's Arrow, but the group could not confirm that it was the arrow that struck Rosen. Antonio showed footage of Rosen's office hall, where Melantha spotted a mysterious archery target, and Angel and Muse teleported there to investigate.

• Isabella said Loser's Arrow could kill a Legend, vanished after hitting its target, and supposedly harmed its user, though she did not know its exact limitations or side effects.
• Isabella recalled a rumor that Loser's Arrow was a historian's wrath that fired first and drew a target where it landed.
• Antonio displayed Magic-Energy Eye footage of Rosen's office hall, and Melantha noticed a circular object behind an experimental table.
• Antonio enlarged the image, revealing an unreal-looking archery target floating above Rosen's usual seat.
• Muse teleported with Angel to the metal hall, where they stood beside the target and examined it.

Angel and Muse learned that the target in the metal hall was Loser's Arrow's bullseye and interpreted the rules it revealed. After they returned to the secret chamber, Sanders shifted the discussion to how anyone had identified Rosen as the target.

• Gloria and Horus questioned why the target appeared only after Rosen had been shot, and they considered whether it was Loser's Arrow.
• Angel and Muse sensed that the target was emitting information ripples, so Muse called Antonio to inspect them safely.
• Antonio entered the target's range and confirmed that it identified the arrow as Loser's Arrow, then Angel and Muse entered and absorbed its repeated information.
• Angel explained that the target formed after Loser's Arrow struck someone, remained until the next arrow was fired, and could not mark the same person twice.
• Muse and Rosen judged the target's information genuine, while Gloria remained suspicious.
• Sanders asked how they had determined that Rosen was Loser's Arrow's target.

Muse, Angel, and the others investigated how the Budding Cult had targeted Rosen and concluded that the informant likely arrived in Sky Mechanical City within the past two days. As Angel prepared to leave for Savage Cave, Muse gave him a miniature signal tower so they could stay in contact about the Budding.

• Muse considered whether Loser's Arrow could find Rosen on its own or whether a recent Budding Believer in Sky Mechanical City had provided his location, and he ordered Antonio to monitor recent arrivals with the Magic-Energy Eye.
• Gloria questioned whether the informant might have been in the city for a long time, but Angel argued that a long-term spy would have known Rosen was mostly mechanical and aimed the arrow at his head.
• Angel told Antonio to investigate recent arrivals who had asked about Rosen and to watch for threats around Si Man and her friends; Muse agreed and sent Antonio to carry out the patrols.
• Muse offered Angel a reward for helping Rosen, but Angel said he was returning to Savage Cave that day.
• Muse gave Angel a gear-shaped button containing a miniature signal tower so he could contact Angel about the Budding and reach Lord Rhein; Angel said he would return it if his research succeeded.

Angel left the Infinite Battle Tower after saving Rosen, while Melantha thanked him and sent him information about Baroque. Muse repaired Rosen’s mechanical body, and Rosen returned to the Tower to deal with the Budding crisis, his magic vortex still unable to recover fully.

• Muse took Rosen’s head to Fantasy Mechanical City to repair his body, while Angel and the others prepared to leave with Melantha.
• Melantha guided Angel, Sanders, Gloria, and the others out through a hidden passage, then thanked Angel for saving Rosen.
• Angel caught up with his mentor and the others, and later noticed that Melantha had sent him information about Baroque.
• Muse finished repairing Rosen’s mechanical body and suggested cultivating him a flesh-and-blood body, but Rosen refused.
• Rosen said his magic vortex’s collapse had been temporarily halted and left to return to the Infinite Battle Tower.

Muse investigated Si Man's sudden fainting and discovered that a Budding Believer had probed her memories, possibly seeking information about Angel. Rosen began tracking the intruder and asked Muse to warn Angel while he took charge of the Budding investigation.

• Antonio told Muse that Angel had left and Horus had returned to the main city district without spreading news of the incident.
• Antonio reported that Si Man had fainted during the darkness caused by Loser's Arrow after seeing a suspicious figure.
• Muse went to Si Man's room, put her to sleep, and discovered traces of an attempted memory probe.
• Rosen examined Si Man and confirmed that the intruder had failed to break through the defenses on her blurred memories.
• Muse and Rosen concluded that the intruder may have been seeking memories involving Angel, so Rosen began tracking the traces and ordered Antonio to protect Si Man, Helen, and Liwei.
• Rosen asked Muse to send Angel a warning and took responsibility for handling the Budding openly.

Muse went to Red Sunflower Ward after Antonio reported that Rosen had found the target, a Budding Believer. Rosen killed the woman before she could reveal her associates, and Muse began arranging to erase her corpse so the Budding Cult could not trace them.

• Muse charmed a man into giving him access to the public signal tower, but Antonio arrived and told him that Rosen had found the target in Red Sunflower Ward.
• Muse followed unusual traces to a sealed barrier atop a cluster of buildings and entered to find Rosen holding a young woman captive.
• The woman threatened Muse and Rosen, then began reciting a message connected to the Budding's Disorderly Rhythm, so Rosen killed her before she could finish.
• Muse and Rosen concluded that the woman had likely already passed on information and that the Budding Believers shared a habit of threatening their enemies before entering the Disorderly Rhythm.
• Muse said he would make the woman's corpse completely Annihilation in the material realm to prevent the Budding Cult from tracing them.

Angel and his companions traveled by steam train to Shepherd City, where Sanders planned to meet Zislaid and Gloria wanted to buy icefield rock sheep. Director Muse contacted Angel with news that a Budding Believer had been caught in Sky Mechanical City but was already dead.

• Gloria, Azaz, and Angel shared a mutton meal aboard the train while Sanders rested and Toby ate.
• Angel recalled that the group was heading to Shepherd City because Gloria wanted icefield rock sheep and Sanders planned to question Zislaid.
• A train attendant announced that Ephesuswei was half an hour away.
• Angel answered a call on Muse's miniature signal tower and recognized Director Muse despite her disguise.
• Muse told Angel that a Budding Believer had arrived in Sky Mechanical City and was caught near Red Sunflower Ward, but she was dead.

Angel considered how to guard against the Budding Cult and Loser's Arrow after learning that the cult might have exposed his intelligence. Muse later learned from Rosen that the Budding Believer's soul had vanished and that prophecy could not reveal information from her corpse, before Oupulia joined them with another matter to discuss.

• Muse warned Angel to stay cautious after recounting the events surrounding the Budding Cult's attack.
• Angel, Gloria, and Sanders discussed the low likelihood of Angel being targeted and agreed he should still prepare for Loser's Arrow and other threats.
• Angel identified concealment, changing his appearance, and Blood Night's Shelter as ways to keep a locator from finding him, while Sanders planned to consult Lord Rhein.
• Rosen told Muse that the Budding Believer's soul had vanished and that Oupulia could not use prophecy on her corpse because a mysterious aura interfered with it.
• Rosen said he suspected the soul had been dragged into Disorderly Rhythm, and Oupulia entered as Muse asked what else Rosen had come to tell him.

Muse and Oupulia proposed using Crownstar Cathedral’s Mystery of the Starry Sky to investigate the Budding, while Angel’s companions discussed seeking a prophecy about his future. After arriving at Ephesuswei Station, Gloria went to find top-grade rock sheep meat and Sanders headed toward Shepherd City, where Zislaid’s shop was located.

• Oupulia told Muse that the Mystery of the Starry Sky might reveal the Budding’s true nature, and Rosen said he needed to contact Lapuye.
• Angel learned that the Mystery of the Starry Sky could help prophecy wizards investigate the Budding and that Maya might attend Stargazing Day to seek answers about his situation.
• Sanders suggested Muse had sent the information so Angel would relay it to Maya, while Angel considered whether Dodolo’s prophecy talent might help.
• Angel and his companions arrived at Ephesuswei Station with Azaz, whom Sanders had released from the Gravity Garden.
• Gloria went with Azaz to seek top-grade Icefield Rock Sheep meat, while Sanders headed toward Shepherd City and said Gloria knew where Zislaid’s shop was.

Sanders questioned Zislaid about balancing energy properties, while Angel listened and later recognized the elderly cook Anada. The group finished their discussion and shared dinner, where Angel revealed that Anada had once been Huibidon's childhood sweetheart.

• Zislaid recognized Sanders and Angel at his antique shop, then hosted them and explained that the two lively mechanical dolls were children traded away by their mother.
• Sanders asked Zislaid for his views on balancing energy properties, and Zislaid shared his knowledge while Angel listened.
• After night fell, Gloria arrived with Azaz, and the group paused their discussion to have dinner.
• Angel recognized the cook Anada and greeted her, prompting Gloria to ask how he knew her.
• Angel told Gloria that he had met Anada in Night Demon City and that she had been Huibidon's childhood sweetheart.

Angel learned how Zislaid had helped Anada and why Huibidon continued bringing her life-type potions, then went to his room to visit the Dream Wilderness. The chapter left Angel preparing to check on Leon after the disturbance in Sky Mechanical City.

• Angel learned that Anada had become a wizard apprentice through a trade with Zislaid and refused to see Huibidon when he visited.
• Zislaid told Angel that Huibidon had come to see Anada as recently as a week earlier.
• A mechanical puppet explained that Zislaid had hinted Huibidon should bring life-type potions to support Anada's recovery.
• The mechanical puppet said Anada had become a first-level apprentice and that Zislaid tolerated Huibidon’s visits because he was Anada’s hope.
• Angel thanked the mechanical puppet for explaining, entered his room, and prepared to visit the Dream Wilderness to check on Leon.

Angel returned from the Dream Wilderness and spoke with Anada, who thanked him for helping her pursue wizardry despite the cost of her youth. Before leaving, she asked him to secretly deliver ritual offerings to Huibidon, and Angel agreed.

• Angel welcomed Anada, who brought him tea and desserts to thank him for telling her about the Frostnight Potion.
• Anada explained that becoming a transcendent had been worth sacrificing her youth, and Angel wished her success in seeing more of the world.
• Anada asked Angel to pass some items to Huibidon because she did not want him to see her aged appearance.
• Anada gave Angel stones inscribed with strange red characters and explained that they were offerings for a Roundstone Ritual designed to help Huibidon focus.
• Angel agreed to deliver the offerings without revealing Anada had sent them, and Anada bowed before leaving.

Angel visited Sanders to share information about Baroque, then answered an unexpected signal on Muse’s miniature signal tower and found Isabella and a little girl seeking him. The girl greeted him as Brother Pat, leaving Angel to hear what she wanted to say.

• Angel showed Sanders Melantha’s message about Baroque’s plans in Savage Cave, and Sanders said Lord Rhein already knew Baroque’s purpose.
• Angel decided not to ask Sanders about the Dream Wilderness and prepared to leave, but Muse’s miniature signal tower began receiving a new transmission.
• Angel discovered the signal came through a different transmission segment and connected after Sanders explained that the private channel likely belonged to one of Muse’s contacts.
• Angel saw Isabella on the light screen, and she said she had intended to find him through Muse.
• A little girl in a pink dress appeared on the screen, confirmed that Angel could see her, and shyly called him Brother Pat.

Angel let Sparrow Sparrow speak with Bobota, her brother, in a private Mist Illusion space. After their final meeting, Bobota returned to Angel’s bracelet, while Sparrow Sparrow remained by the signal tower.

• Sparrow Sparrow admitted that she wanted one last talk with Bobota, and Angel agreed to summon him.
• Angel released Bobota from his bracelet, and the siblings greeted each other tearfully through the miniature signal tower.
• Angel created a private Mist Illusion space so Bobota and Sparrow Sparrow could speak alone.
• While they talked, Angel read the latest issue of Mirror, which covered his Research Institute membership and the New Star Tournament.
• Bobota told Angel that he and Sparrow Sparrow might never meet again and chose to return to the bracelet to watch over a Shapeshifting Softworm.
• Angel dispelled the Mist Illusion and saw that Sparrow Sparrow was still waiting by the connected signal tower.