Chapter Summaries

At the Tarot Club, Hobart’s deduction about the Sea God’s origins was praised, and Derrick shared what he knew about ancient dragons. After the gathering, Alger chose to keep the Sea God’s location secret, then discovered and destroyed a creature tracking his ship as he prepared to lure his pursuers toward Leaking Island.

• Hobart explained that Elven artifacts from the ruins had become symbols of the Sea God Sect, and Audrey and Alger praised his deduction.
• Audrey traded with Derrick for information about the Dragon of Imagination, while Derrick sought a Potion Recipe from Klein.
• Derrick described Dragon King Angerwede and Nightmare Dragon Alzuhod, and Hobart confirmed that Angerwede was one of the Eight Ancient Gods.
• After the Tarot Club ended, Alger chose to conceal the Sea God’s location rather than report it to the Church.
• Alger found a Colorful Chiton tracking the Azure Avenger, killed it, and ordered his crew to head for Leaking Island to deal with their pursuers.
• Alger reflected that exploration did not always achieve its intended goal, and his Navigator potion digested further.

Audrey planned how to carry out Mr. Fool’s assassination commission while Klein prepared for the danger and Derrick pursued hope in Silver City. Hobart handled his law firm and letters, then encountered Mr. Azik at dinner.

• Audrey decided to attend Countess Gallia’s ball to observe Ambassador Baker Lang before choosing someone for the assassination commission.
• Klein reviewed what he had learned about the Secret Order and planned to visit Bravehearts Bar to seek a bodyguard.
• Derrick prayed for guidance, then set out to train for the patrol team and study Sequence 3 Saints.
• Hobart warned Jessica against using her abilities in court, read letters from Elizabeth and Selena, and wrote replies to both.
• Hobart went to dinner and saw Mr. Azik at a nearby table.

Hobart met Azik and learned more about Ambassador Baker Lang through Audrey’s conversation with Cons. Xue and Fors contacted Mr. A to commission Baker Lang’s assassination, but Mr. A was recovering from a serious injury and blamed the Nighthawks for ruining his opportunity.

• Hobart shared dinner with Azik and stopped himself from asking for Azik’s mailing address so he would not rush their acquaintance.
• Xue described Lafite’s string of accidents, and Fors startled Hobart and Xue by appearing in their home without using the door.
• At Countess Wolf’s ball, Audrey learned from Cons that Baker Lang was an Intis intelligence chief, a Sequence 6 Conspirator, and a dangerous schemer.
• Audrey confirmed that the Iron Caltrops Squad had destroyed the cult headquarters in South Wales County and rescued five infants.
• Audrey invited Xue and Fors to Viscount Glynt’s residence, where they commissioned Mr. A to assassinate Baker Lang.
• Mr. A’s waiter found him recovering as a collapsed mass of flesh and blood, and Mr. A complained that the Nighthawks had made him miss the deal.

Audrey learned that Mr. A had refused her commission and called an emergency gathering of the Justice League. Meanwhile, Hobart visited machinery entrepreneur Mr. Dikeus, where he learned about Dikeus’s factories and new-generation steam water pumps.

• Xue and Fors reported Mr. A’s refusal to Audrey, who decided to call an emergency Justice League gathering.
• Hobart reviewed his team’s successful lawsuits with Jessica and Lasga, then left to visit a client.
• Hobart noticed Alva and an elderly Tamara Family investigator outside Sharp Intent Machinery Company, but they did not recognize him.
• Hobart asked to meet Mr. Dikeus and was directed to the Steam Water Pump Factory.
• Dikeus welcomed Hobart, recalled how Hobart’s father’s reinforcements had saved his life, and explained the improved centrifugal water pump.

Hobart learned that Rex had left exploration notes and other arrangements for him, then considered the profits from Dikeus’s advanced steam engines. At Viscount Glynt’s residence, Audrey asked the Justice League to assassinate Intis Ambassador Baker Lang, and Hobart said he had a way to do it.

• Dikeus told Hobart that Rex became a Demigod, left the military, explored ancient ruins, and arranged for his descendants to receive his notes and knowledge.
• Hobart discussed steam engines with Dikeus, saw a water pump being tested, and estimated the large profits Dikeus’s advanced machines could earn.
• Audrey’s servant Annie brought Hobart to Viscount Glynt’s residence for an emergency Justice League meeting.
• Audrey posted a mission to assassinate Baker Lang, the Intis Ambassador to Loen.
• Hobart inferred that Mr. A had refused the commission because 2-365 had severely injured him, then said he could complete the mission.

Hobart agreed to find someone to carry out Audrey’s assassination commission and asked Doffis to take it for 10,000 pounds. At the excavation site, Doffis sealed the tent so they could discuss the confidential matter in private.

• Hobart decided he could not assassinate Baker Lang himself and chose to ask Doffis to take the commission.
• Audrey agreed to raise her budget for the mission from 5,000 to 10,000 pounds and arranged how Hobart could send her the answer.
• Hobart visited Christine at the Loen Kingdom Army Staff Headquarters, where she told him Doffis was at the excavation site.
• Hobart arrived at Jacob's Team's site, promised to attend the final excavation, and asked Jacob to take him to Doffis.
• Doffis summoned a spirit that prevented anyone from overhearing, then told Hobart their conversation was private.

Hobart hired Doffis to assassinate Baker Lang and agreed to seek clues about a Sequence 4 Undying characteristic. On the way back to Backlund, Hobart encountered Azik again, exchanged contact addresses with him, and returned to Earl Hall's Mansion, where he spotted Susie.

• Hobart asked Doffis to assassinate Baker Lang, and Doffis accepted in exchange for clues about a Sequence 4 Undying characteristic.
• Doffis questioned Hobart about Baker Lang and his Sequence 5 Marionettist assistant, then said he would observe Baker Lang before acting within three or four days.
• Jacob told Hobart that Doffis used monster rabbits contaminated by a Sealed Artifact to lure other rabbits out of the ruins.
• Hobart recognized Azik on the road and invited him into the carriage, where they discussed their repeated encounters and exchanged contact addresses.
• Hobart arrived at Earl Hall's Mansion after eight in the evening and saw Susie taking a walk.

Hobart arranged for the Ambassador’s assassination mission to be handled and continued his legal work, then agreed to hear streetwalker Emma’s case against a man who refused to pay for his services. Emma revealed that another woman in the trade had already sued the man and lost.

• Audrey read Hobart’s letter and discussed with Susie how Susie had sensed that Hobart wanted to speak to her.
• Hobart returned home, told Fors the mission had been entrusted, and reminded her and Xue to keep it confidential.
• Hobart’s court case ended in an out-of-court settlement, and Cody later settled his own case after negotiations.
• Hobart reviewed Cody’s defense with him and learned that a streetwalker named Emma had been waiting to seek legal help.
• Hobart heard Emma’s account of Wendell, who frequented streetwalkers’ establishments and refused to pay, and learned that a previous lawsuit against him had failed.

Hobart took Emma’s case against Wendell and brought Jessica in to learn from his legal strategy. Meanwhile, Doffis confronted Ambassador Baker Lang in the Intis Embassy and explained how he had uncovered Lang’s secret prayers, leaving Lang trapped with his reanimated servant.

• Emma told Hobart that Wendell had won his case because prostitution fees were ruled illegal income, and Hobart agreed to take the case and submit documents to the court.
• Jessica warned Hobart that the law made Emma’s existing claims difficult to pursue, and Hobart told her to look for other legal loopholes and help with the case.
• Ambassador Baker Lang hosted a ball to disguise the operation to seize Turanni von Helmholtz’s manuscript while his assistant Rosago mobilized forces for it.
• Baker Lang entered a backyard bungalow to pray, but Doffis appeared and used a Natural Spirit to block sound and cut off Lang’s prayers.
• Baker Lang’s personal servant stabbed him, then revealed himself to be dead and attacked again as Doffis explained how he had discovered Lang’s secret communications with an angel.

Doffis killed Baker Lang at the Intis Embassy, then escaped unseen, while Klein received a warning from Sheriff Fashin. After news of Baker Lang’s death reached Hobart, he went to the ruins, where Doffis revealed that a high-level Sealed Artifact of the God of Death pathway lay underground.

• Doffis immobilized Baker Lang with a black dagger, killed him, and crushed his spirituality before escaping the embassy inside a cloud-like spirit.
• Sheriff Fashin visited Klein to warn him to watch out for strangers and discuss arrangements, then left 15 Minsk Street with stiff movements.
• A newspaper reported that Baker Lang and his male servant had beaten each other to death, and Hobart concluded Doffis had carried out the assassination.
• Miss Audrey’s servant delivered Hobart a check for 10,000 pounds, and Hobart headed to the ruins for the final excavation.
• At the underground structure, Doffis told Hobart that a high-level Sealed Artifact of the God of Death pathway was sealed below.

Hobart and Doffis searched the underground ruins for a Level 1 Sealed Artifact, but it was missing from the final two rooms. When Wild Rabbit Eyes appeared in the corridors, Doffis led the mercenaries after them while Hobart stayed behind.

• Doffis told Hobart that the hidden artifact was at least a Level 1 Sealed Artifact, and Hobart suspected it had drawn Mr. Azik to the ruins.
• Jacob promised triple wages after the final rooms were cleared, then Doffis led Hobart and the team into the underground passages.
• Doffis opened the last two rooms, but neither contained the Sealed Artifact, so he ordered the team to open every remaining door.
• Red glows appeared down the corridor, and Jacob identified them as Wild Rabbit Eyes as several people collapsed after seeing them.
• Doffis led most of the mercenaries to hunt the Wild Rabbits, leaving Hobart behind despite his growing sense of danger.

Hobart tried to escape a deadly Sealed Artifact that killed anyone who looked at it, relying on his closed eyes and spiritual senses to navigate the underground corridors. After he realized he had unknowingly returned to the artifact’s chamber, he lost his direction and touched something covered in hard feathers.

• Hobart warned the workers to close their eyes and run as the Sealed Artifact appeared, killing those who saw it.
• Hobart escaped through the corridors with his eyes shut while the artifact’s footsteps and apparent illusions pursued him.
• Hobart chose to move forward past the presence he sensed, and the feeling of being watched vanished.
• Hobart found a skeleton and realized he had entered the chamber where the Sealed Artifact was kept.
• Hobart sensed the artifact returning, stumbled, lost contact with the wall, and touched a layer of hard feathers.

After escaping a terrifying underground chamber, Hobart reunited with Doffis and learned that the artifact below had killed the others. Doffis used a winged skeleton to alter the survivors’ memories and staged the deaths as a fight over treasure, leaving the Level 0 Sealed Artifact concealed beneath the ruins.

• Hobart escaped the chamber after touching a feather that shocked his mind, then made his way back to the Noble Courtyard.
• Doffis and Jacob emerged from underground with a Wild Rabbit, and Jacob said the others were dead.
• Doffis identified the threat as possibly a Level 0 Sealed Artifact and used a winged skeleton to make the people nearby fall asleep.
• Doffis explained that the Flying Spirit could rewrite memories in dreams and planned to make the deaths appear to have resulted from a fight over treasure.
• Doffis brought the corpses aboveground, sealed the entrance, and arranged the bodies and wounds to stage a battle.
• The winged skeleton altered the survivors’ memories, and they awoke believing they had survived a fierce gunfight and rested afterward.

On his way back to Backlund, Hobart planned to enlist Azzik’s help in obtaining the “Red Priest” card and negotiating for the Sealed Artifacts in the ruins. After resting, he went to the Mercenary Club to sell Extraordinary Characteristics and posted a task to find Hillman.

• Hobart considered telling Mr. Azik about the Level 0 Sealed Artifact and decided to offer him clues about the ruins in exchange for help confronting Medici and finding the “Red Priest” card.
• Hobart planned to visit Azzik next week and negotiate for a share of the ruins’ spoils, then decided he might visit Bishop Utravsky at Harvest Church.
• Hobart returned to Blanca Street, slept, and recovered his spirituality before bringing the “Prisoner” Extraordinary Characteristic from the Country of Disorder into the real world.
• Hobart decided to sell the “Prisoner,” “Madman,” and “Werewolf” Extraordinary Characteristics separately at the Mercenary Club.
• Hobart checked the Information Wall, found that Simon Vincent’s task was still unfinished, and posted a task to locate and capture Hillman.

Hobart found information about a valuable Intis shipment and considered selling the news through the Hanged Man. At the Mercenary Club, he sold a Prisoner characteristic to Byron and learned how official forces used characteristics to exploit the Rose School and local Beyonders.

• Hobart discovered that Intis was transporting gold, silver, and gemstones under the protection of a powerful Commodore, and decided he could broker the information through the Hanged Man.
• Hobart met Byron, the man who had assigned Xue a mission, at the Mercenary Club gathering.
• Byron bought Hobart's Prisoner characteristic for 300 Pounds and offered to purchase any future characteristics directly.
• Byron explained that his organization stockpiled characteristics, traded Prisoner-pathway ingredients with the Rose School for gold, and drove up prices through continued attacks.
• Hobart realized that official forces used low-sequence military Beyonders as cannon fodder while recovering their characteristics.

Elliot encouraged the residents of Town of Nonexistence to trust the Creator, then agreed to leave home for a Copper Mine assignment. At the Tarot Club, Klein introduced a new member, Mr. World, while Hobart teased him about an unpaid debt, and the gathering continued with new tasks and updates.

• Elliot told residents of Town of Nonexistence that the Creator could save their families, but they remained wary, and Moira urged him to accept his Copper Mine assignment.
• Derrick celebrated passing his instructor assessment and planned to earn merit through patrols, repay Emperor, and buy a weapon.
• Klein introduced Mr. World at the Tarot Club, and Hobart jokingly claimed he recognized the new member as someone who owed him money.
• The Fool told Audrey that her two candidates were still being examined and tasked her with finding Lan'erwusi through them.
• Alger offered six pages of diary entries, and The Fool praised Audrey for dealing with Baker Lang in less than a week.

At the Tarot Club gathering, World sought several Extraordinary Materials while Emperor and the Hanged Man agreed to sell information about a treasure ship. Hobart collected debts to fund his search for a travel Sealed Artifact, then asked Mr. Fool to help him digest more of his Potion.

• World requested Mist Treant roots and sap, an Elven Spring Marrow Crystal, and Evil-Patterned Black Panther spinal fluid, and Derrick offered to obtain the Mist Treant materials in exchange for a suitable weapon.
• Alger told Emperor that he had a lead on a Sealed Artifact with the ability of travel, and Hobart offered him information about a treasure ship in exchange for a share of the proceeds.
• Hobart revealed that the Intis ship carried valuables worth at least two hundred thousand pounds and was escorted by a Sequence 5 powerhouse, so Alger planned to sell the information to a pirate general.
• Audrey and Alger agreed to repay their debts to Hobart through sacrifices to Mr. Fool, while Hobart congratulated Derrick on passing his assessment.
• Hobart asked Mr. Fool to Bribe him again so he could digest more of his Potion.

At the Tarot Club, Hobart discussed sacrifices and renting Mystical Items, while Alger decided to sell information about the Golden Ship and Derrick looked for ways to earn merit. After collecting debts and building his savings, Hobart went to visit Bishop Utravsky at Harvest Church.

• Hobart told the Tarot Club that he would gather possible offerings for Fool and explained that members could rent Mystical Items from one another.
• Alger chose to sell information about the Golden Ship to Hell Admiral Ludwell through Aishe, despite the risks.
• Derrick decided to seek work at Silver City's workshop to earn merit toward his debts and advancement.
• Hobart collected 1,800 pounds from Alger and Audrey, raised his savings to nearly 7,000 pounds, and went to Harvest Church to visit Bishop Utravsky.

Hobart visited Harvest Church to calm his spirit and witnessed Utravsky capture Emlyn White and lock him in the dungeon. After Utravsky warned him that the Tamara Family’s people might be watching him, Hobart returned home and discovered several Young Men observing his residence.

• Hobart read the Saint Bible of Life beside Utravsky until his lingering fear faded.
• Emlyn White emerged from an illusion, tried to flee the church, and was captured by Utravsky.
• Hobart told Utravsky that a gentleman who could resolve his troubles would arrive in Backlund, then learned the church might be watched by the companions of its slain enemies.
• Hobart returned to Blanca Street without noticing a tail, but used True Sight from the Country of Disorder and spotted three or four Young Men watching No. 192.

Hobart discussed Fors’s worsening Blood Moon ravings and promised to watch over her while allowing her to pursue help from a Hidden Being. After the Tamara Family’s watchers left, the story shifted to Elliot arriving at a copper mine in West Balam, where the Balk Family had already taken control.

• Hobart decided not to counterattack the Young Men watching him and planned to monitor them from the Country of Disorder.
• Fors told Hobart that the Blood Moon ravings had worsened despite her becoming a Trick Master, and she feared she might not endure the next one.
• Hobart explained that the ravings came from a powerful being connected to Fors’s pathway and said she might find help and an opportunity through a Hidden Being.
• Fors decided to search for The Fool’s Honorific Name, while Hobart promised to intervene if her condition became dangerous.
• Xue returned after completing the Masked Man’s mission, and Hobart later saw the Young Men leave before returning in the early morning.
• Elliot arrived at the copper mine in West Balam and found that the Balk Family had already taken control, with others displeased at his late arrival.