Recaps

Turas ordered the Sixth Legion to retreat from Ironwire City because it could not take the inner city before Count Lloyd’s larger force arrived. As the legion withdrew, Lenster and Kadok spotted a battered force of a thousand men approaching from behind the city and heading toward the Sixth Legion’s camp.

• Turas refused Ivand’s request for another assault and ordered the Sixth Legion to withdraw before Count Lloyd arrived.
• Turas surveyed Ironwire City with Sailik and admitted that his unauthorized campaign might cost him his life, while Sailik urged him to seek the Grand Duke’s forgiveness.
• Turas ordered the wounded evacuated first, with Ivand’s First Regiment bringing up the rear to meet the remnants of the Fifth Regiment.
• Lenster and Kadok saw the Sixth Legion march north and realized it was retreating from Ironwire City.
• Sentries reported an unidentified force behind the city, and Lenster and Kadok saw about a thousand battered men heading toward the Sixth Legion’s camp.

Lenster learned that Count Lloyd had defeated a Sixth Legion detached force and was returning to Ironwire City, lifting the defenders’ spirits. Turas withdrew his army, while Count Lloyd later destroyed Wendu’s Third Regiment and the remaining Sixth Legion forces left Ironvine Territory.

• Lenster confirmed Count Lloyd’s victory through a letter delivered by his Cavalry, then announced the news to Ironwire City’s defenders and residents.
• Lenster ordered the gates opened to admit the Cavalry, welcomed the celebrations, and reminded the defenders to remain alert.
• Turas ordered the Sixth Legion to withdraw north and burn its camp, while Lenster and Kadok watched the army depart.
• Count Lloyd ambushed Wendu’s forces, annihilated the Third Regiment, and saw the Second Regiment flee after abandoning its baggage train.
• Turas ordered Wendu executed, then led the regrouped Sixth Legion troops out of Ironvine Territory.

The fighting in Cornwall County ended in a snow-driven ceasefire, while Ironvine Territory fortified its borders and the Sixth Legion’s intervention fueled political conflict in the duchy. In the north, Victor and Veronica married, and Victor was astonished by the generous decree Count Colt gave the Golden Sunflower Family.

• Count Lloyd withdrew to Ironvine City after failing to catch Turas, and the fighting in Cornwall County came to an end with the Iron Vine Family retaining four baronies.
• Viscount Ferry and Baroness Kailan held the southern border against the Coalition of Nobles until heavy snow prompted both sides to accept a ceasefire.
• Ironvine Territory strengthened its northern and southern defenses, while Turas handed the Sixth Legion over to Ivand and went to Silver Maple City to seek a chance to survive.
• The Sixth Legion’s actions divided the Noble Council, and Grand Duke Mora and the War Department clashed over whether Turas should be saved or executed as Prime Minister Count Lagos stayed neutral.
• Viscount Benjamin and Alex arrived in Wood Fort Town as the Golden Pear Family and the Golden Sunflower Family established a new relationship, and Victor and Veronica held their wedding.
• Alex presented Victor with a decree drafted by Count Colt and signed by the Northern Alliance Army’s nobles, and Victor was astonished by its generosity.

At his wedding, Victor received a decree allowing the Golden Sunflower Family to expand north without restrictions, then heard Alex explain the Iron Birch Family’s plans for nobles after overthrowing the Silver Maple Ducal House. The proposed alliance with the Raine Kingdom would also let them expand south by land and sea.

• Alex presented Victor with Count Colt’s decree granting the Golden Sunflower Family unrestricted northward expansion, and Victor tried to refuse it.
• Alex and Viscount Benjamin confirmed that the Northern Alliance Army’s great nobles had unanimously approved the decree as a reward for Victor’s campaigns.
• Alex told the wedding guests that the Iron Birch Family planned to remove territorial restrictions and offer allied nobles chances to expand and raise their titles after overthrowing the Silver Maple Ducal House.
• Victor asked how interior nobles who did not want northern lands would benefit, and Alex explained that the Raine Kingdom could help them expand south instead.
• Alex said the Raine Kingdom’s navy would join the land advance against the East Sea Alliance, which lacked an organized navy in Tears of God.

After Victor and Veronica’s wedding, Alex privately explained the worsening military situation in the Southern Four Counties and the forces expected to gather against Count Lloyd. He told Victor that the Iron Birch Family could send another legion to reinforce the eastern theater while keeping its advantage on the main front.

• Victor saw Viscount Benjamin’s family and Alex off from Wood Fort Town after the wedding.
• Alex told Victor that Count Lloyd could face overwhelming forces in Cornwall County when spring arrived, including nobles from Hampshire.
• Victor said he and Count Black were already under pressure fighting in the Eastern Four Counties.
• Alex explained that Count Lloyd’s uprising had tied down four duchy legions and enabled the Iron Birch Family and Allied Army to build up their forces.
• Alex showed Victor the planned deployments and said a spare Allied Army legion could be sent to reinforce the eastern theater.

Alex told Victor that the real breakthrough in the war would come at Carn City, after the Raine Kingdom Navy attacked the Western Three Counties and forced enemy forces to withdraw. The next day, Victor inspected his territory’s military preparations and found its three regiments nearly ready for war.

• Victor questioned how the eastern front could support the main front, and Alex explained that Victor would command the eastern forces before heading south to aid Count Lloyd.
• Victor guessed that the Raine Kingdom Navy was the true breakthrough point, and Alex revealed it had agreed to attack the Western Three Counties and draw enemy troops away from Carn City.
• Alex departed for the south, while Victor watched him leave and returned home.
• Victor inspected the camp with James, Santos, and Marvin, checking the soldiers’ training, supplies, equipment, and unit readiness.
• Victor visited the General Staff and Logistics Department, then concluded that his territory’s preparations for the coming war were progressing well.

Victor inspected the territory’s farms and factories as he prepared to be away, learning that supplying his expanded army had depleted the Military Stud Farm’s horses and strained logistics. At the Arms Factory, he advised Veronica on failing engine belts and ordered Jimmy to prioritize Iron Birch Territory’s orders while scheduling regular equipment maintenance and worker breaks.

• Victor visited the Military Stud Farm, where Luoza reported that supplying the army had reduced its horses and threatened next year’s output.
• Victor reassured Luoza that the Military Stud Farm could recover over the coming year, then went to Riverside Village to inspect the engines.
• At the Arms Factory, Victor found Veronica and her engineers arguing over leather belts that kept snapping under continuous production.
• Victor suggested reinforcing the belts with steel or copper wire and gave Veronica’s engineers further instructions.
• Jimmy told Victor that winter had slowed production and that the factory was struggling to meet Iron Birch Territory’s orders.
• Victor ordered Jimmy to cancel the territory’s heavy-weapons production, prioritize Iron Birch Territory’s orders, and give workers half a day off every three days for equipment inspections and repairs.

Victor reassigned some heavy-weapons orders to the Machine Factory after the Arms Factory’s engines malfunctioned, then returned to Wood Fort Town with Veronica when heavy snow halted his inspections. He confirmed the settlements’ winter preparations and ordered Powell to prepare for northern expansion alongside next year’s war.

• Victor shifted some heavy-weapons production from the Arms Factory to the Machine Factory and reassured Veronica that Jimmy would not punish the engineers.
• Victor persuaded Veronica to return to Wood Fort Town instead of visiting the Steelworks, then left to continue his inspections.
• A local Barbarian warrior warned Victor that heavy snow would last several days, so Victor ended the inspection and returned to Riverside Village to collect Veronica.
• Victor questioned Powell about winter preparations, and Powell confirmed that every settlement had food and fuel stockpiled for half a month.
• Victor asked Powell about expanding north during next year’s war, and Powell said the territory could establish settlements along the Lime River.
• Victor ordered Powell to convene a meeting and begin preparing for expansion before spring.

Victor and Old Baron Wembley traveled through heavy snow to the Government Affairs Office, where Victor opened a meeting to plan the Two Rivers Territory’s expansion now that it had unrestricted expansion rights. The officials welcomed the opportunity, and Victor asked them to set short- and long-term goals while the territory prepared to expand alongside his campaign next year.

• Victor and Wembley discussed snow-clearing, the importance of roads, and their prospects in the Civil War during the carriage ride to the Government Affairs Office.
• Victor and Wembley arrived at the meeting, where several local officials were absent because of the heavy snow and urgent work in their jurisdictions.
• Victor told the assembled officials that the Two Rivers Territory could now expand in any direction across the Northern Barrens without the old restrictions.
• Victor asked the officials to propose short- and long-term expansion goals, explaining that resources would initially be limited but the territory would focus more heavily on expansion after the Civil War.
• The officials welcomed the new opportunities, and Victor urged them to maintain their enthusiasm and present their plans.

Victor finalized Two Rivers Territory’s expansion preparations and redirected its winter efforts toward war and army training. Meanwhile, Turas was released from prison through Count Lagos’s intervention and learned that he would lead the Western nobles’ legion when spring came.

• Victor approved a plan to settle the land east of the Lime River, establish northern settlements, and relocate the Horseshoe Tribe to the former Blazing Fire Tribe site.
• Victor urged the territory’s officials to prioritize preparations for the war, and the departments mobilized their people and resources through the winter.
• Victor joined the recruits’ drills and training to improve the army’s readiness and strengthen his ties with the troops.
• Audrey told Turas that Count Lagos had persuaded Grand Duke Mora to seek his release from prison.
• Audrey explained that Turas would be reinstated and, after replenishing the Sixth Legion, would lead the Western nobles’ legion to attack the northern nobles’ heartland in the spring.

Turas visited Count Lagos to thank him for securing his release and explained that he had attacked Ironvine Territory because he gambled on Count Lloyd rebelling. Count Lagos revealed that he had helped Turas partly so Turas could protect the Western Noble Alliance Army in next spring’s campaign, and Turas agreed.

• Turas arrived at Count Lagos's residence, thanked him, and accepted his offer to address him as Uncle.
• Count Lagos praised Turas and spoke of Audrey's possible future as a court lady and potential Grand Duchess.
• Turas explained that he had disobeyed orders and attacked Ironvine Territory because he gambled that Count Lloyd would rebel and leave the north exposed.
• Count Lagos told Turas that the War Department respected his tactical skill and explained that the duchy's wartime losses had driven his rapid promotion.
• Count Lagos revealed that he had helped Turas so he could protect the Western Noble Alliance Army from excessive losses in next spring's campaign.
• Turas promised Count Lagos that the Western nobles' army would not suffer major losses under his watch.

Turas joined Count Lagos's faction and left for Strath County, reassured that supporting Lagos also meant supporting Grand Duke Mora. Viscount Pele Hongfeng then reported that the Orchard's harvest and value had plummeted, alarming Count Lagos.

• Turas accepted Count Lagos's request to join his faction, and Count Lagos advised him to replenish the Sixth Legion's ranks in Strath County.
• Turas saw Pele Hongfeng arrive at Count Lagos's residence and realized that Pele's visit dispelled his doubts about helping Lagos.
• Pele ate a second meal at Count Lagos's study and complained about being sent on exhausting assignments in Blackwater City and Milan County.
• Count Lagos asked Pele about Old Bjorn and the Orchard, and Pele said the harvest had fallen below seventy percent of last year's output.
• Pele showed Count Lagos a small Silver Maple Leaf and estimated that the poor-quality harvest was worth no more than gold, prompting Count Lagos to worry about the duchy's military expenses.

Count Lagos and Pelei assessed the Duchy's war expenses and discovered that its treasury could not cover its debts, military costs, and unpaid annuities. Pelei proposed using his grain stock as collateral to borrow from the guilds, leaving the Duchy with a chance to manage its finances if it won the Civil War.

• Pelei and Count Lagos calculated the cost of rebuilding and resupplying the legions, finding that the Duchy's remaining funds fell far short.
• Count Lagos explained that reduced taxes and annuities, palace spending, and guilds claiming territorial revenues and dividends had left the Duchy burdened with debt.
• Pelei pointed out that he had gathered a large stock of grain in Blackwater City, but he and Count Lagos agreed that selling it would depress prices and fail to cover the shortfall.
• Pelei proposed repaying the guilds first and borrowing against the grain at current market prices, and Count Lagos approved the plan.
• Count Lagos and Pelei hoped that victory in the Civil War would let the Duchy recover through the seized assets of traitorous nobles.

Pelei proposed ways to raise money for the duchy by using Silver Maple for annuities and borrowing against grain, then visited Mora with news from Bjorn. Mora learned that two regiments from the Orchard garrison would soon join him on the battlefield.

• Pelei persuaded Count Lagos to pay half of the Court Nobles’ annuities in Silver Maple and half in gold, saving the treasury 5,000 gold coins.
• Pelei proposed borrowing more from merchant guilds using grain as collateral and asked to keep custody of the grain; Count Lagos agreed to let him handle the negotiations.
• Pelei went to Maple Leaf Palace, where Mora praised his work in Blackwater City and embraced him.
• Pelei told Mora that Bjorn had sent this year’s Orchard harvest back and that Geis would soon bring two regiments to fight alongside Mora.
• Mora was surprised that Bjorn had allowed the Orchard garrison to leave Silver Maple Forest and join the war.

Pelei persuaded Mora to grant his merchant caravans access to Mora’s army and planned to use grain-backed loans to manipulate grain prices and profit after the civil war. The two agreed to split the caravan’s profits evenly, and Pelei left with Mora’s permit, betting heavily on Mora’s victory.

• Pelei gave Mora a scroll showing Mora would receive seventy percent of their earnings, and Mora insisted they split the money fifty-fifty.
• Pelei asked Mora for a permit allowing merchant caravans to accompany Mora’s army, intending to use the privilege to persuade guild supervisors to lend against grain reserves.
• Pelei revealed his plan to acquire most of the Central Region’s commercial grain, crash prices to settle the loans with collateral, and profit when grain prices rose again.
• Pelei said he would destroy farmland during the campaign to ensure a poor harvest, while Mora warned that the merchant guilds might demand repayment in cash.
• Mora granted Pelei the permit after they agreed to split the caravan profits evenly, and Pelei said he was gambling on Mora’s victory because losing would ruin them both.

Mora praised Pelei’s business skill after learning about his grain dealings, while Audrey told Turas about him. Pelei secured a 500-gold loan from guild managers and agreed to help Turas obtain horses for the Sixth Legion.

• Mora showed Audrey the grain ledger and explained Pelei’s role in managing his territory and duchy finances.
• Audrey told Turas about Pelei, and Turas sent men to investigate before deciding to visit him personally.
• Pelei persuaded guild managers to sign a 500-gold collateral loan using inflated grain reserves and promises of future business.
• Turas visited Pelei and asked him to find warhorses to rebuild the Sixth Legion’s depleted cavalry.
• After Turas offered a bearer banknote certificate worth 500 gold, Pelei agreed to arrange warhorses and riding horses for a battalion.

Turas arranged to buy warhorses for three cohorts from Viscount Pele and secured Pele’s help with the Sixth Legion’s future caravan. Rasul received advice from Viscount Borey about preparing his cavalry, then accepted his father’s prized horse Azure Wind and vowed to kill Count Colt.

• Turas offered to pay for nearly four thousand warhorses himself, and Pele agreed to arrange their delivery and take on the caravan business.
• Turas and Pele shared lunch, then Turas left Silver Maple City with a suit of Iron Birch bark armor from Pele.
• Rasul told Viscount Borey that the Fifth Legion was recovering well, and Borey urged him to train his cavalry and learn from experienced veterans.
• Viscount Borey cautioned Rasul that next year’s performance would determine his future, and Rasul resolved to return to his troops the following day.
• Viscount Borey gave Rasul his warhorse Azure Wind, and Rasul vowed to use it to kill the rebel Count Colt.

A Silver Maple inner guard secretly confronted Viscount Edmund and gave him an urgent letter urging the Red Maple Family to atone for aiding the rebels. The letter reached Count Colt, who learned Silver Maple City planned to coordinate an Iron Bone Tribe attack against his forces as they marched south.

• A Silver Maple inner guard questioned Viscount Edmund about the Red Maple Family's loyalty and the killing of a Silver Maple messenger, then left him a letter.
• Viscount Edmund woke from what he thought was a dream, found the letter tube, and read its contents alone.
• Alex brought Count Colt an urgent letter from Viscount Edmund and began reading it before handing it over.
• Count Colt and Alex discussed whether the Silver Maple Secret Guard was truly dangerous and whether Edmund's warning about the Iron Bone Tribe was credible.
• Count Colt concluded that Silver Maple City had likely ordered Edmund to raise troops and support an Iron Bone Tribe attack when Colt marched south.

Count Colt adjusted the Northern Frontier’s deployments while Alex visited Crimson Maple Territory and Golden Pear Territory to relay the plan. Victor strengthened reconnaissance of the Barbarian Tribes, and the chapter ended with Count Colt still uncertain about Silver Maple City’s intentions.

• Count Colt questioned whether Silver Maple City was using a smokescreen and reassigned the planned Khatyn Mountains deployment from Edmund to Benjamin.
• Alex carried Count Colt’s plan to Benjamin and Edmund, while Count Colt sent the Fourth Legion to Durham County and revised the Allied Third Legion’s positions.
• Victor reviewed intelligence showing no unusual Barbarian movements and ordered Jell, Luda, Orlando, and reconnaissance squads to strengthen patrols and scouting.
• At the end of December, Alex reported that Benjamin and Edmund had accepted the plan and that Edmund would move to Iron Mountain Fortress after coordinating the handover.
• Count Colt said the Barbarian invasion would not stop their operation and noted that Silver Maple City’s military preparations still appeared to follow the original plan.

Count Colt and Alex discussed changes to the northern armies’ command and deployment as snow delayed troop movements. Viscount Benjamin approached Viscount Edmund’s territory cautiously and found him waiting with only a small cavalry force.

• Count Colt assigned Albert to command the Iron Birch Territory’s Fourth Legion with his private troops, and chose Susak to lead the Northern Alliance Army’s First Legion.
• Victor assured Count Colt that he would defend Two Rivers Territory before marching south, so the planned deployment remained unchanged.
• Viscount Benjamin mobilized his troops after receiving Count Colt’s letter, but heavy snow stretched the journey from two days to four.
• After learning that Edmund was waiting ahead, Benjamin ordered his troops into a guarded formation and rode forward with Raymond and the First Cavalry Regiment.
• Benjamin found Edmund accompanied by only a hundred or two hundred cavalrymen, while Edmund stared in surprise at Benjamin’s large force.

Viscount Benjamin captured Viscount Edmund after mistaking his arrival for a threat, then released him and his guards once they had talked. Edmund rode back toward his troops still angry, while Benjamin wrote Count Colt a factual account of the incident to get ahead of Edmund’s accusations.

• Viscount Benjamin repeatedly gagged Viscount Edmund when he cursed, then untied him after Edmund warned that his troops might mistake his absence for a problem and start friendly fire.
• Viscount Benjamin ordered Regimental Commander Pim to release Edmund’s guards, and Edmund found them unharmed and reunited with them.
• Viscount Benjamin explained that Edmund’s guards had surrendered only after he promised not to harm their lord, easing Edmund’s concern about their loyalty.
• Viscount Benjamin invited Edmund to settle their dispute with a duel or a fight between small forces, but Edmund rejected the offer and rode away with his guards.
• Viscount Benjamin declined Pim’s suggestion to post extra guards and wrote a letter to Count Colt recounting the incident.

Viscount Benjamin received Viscount Edmund’s handover documents and redirected his troops toward the Khatyn Mountains, while Edmund set out for Iron Birch Territory instead of confronting him. The chapter leaves Edmund planning to complain to Count Colt as his army continued its journey.

• Viscount Benjamin received documents and a letter from Viscount Edmund, then ordered his troops to turn toward the Khatyn Mountains.
• Viscount Benjamin had already sent messengers ordering the Third Legion’s other regiments to gather near Enzo City.
• Viscount Edmund’s generals urged him to attack Benjamin, but none agreed when he challenged them to fight with only two hundred men.
• Viscount Edmund chose to follow Count Colt’s orders and said he would report Benjamin’s conduct once they reached Iron Birch Territory.
• Viscount Edmund’s generals abandoned their calls for battle and praised his decision to march on.

Victor discussed Crimson Maple Territory’s forces and his neglect of Veronica with Wembley, then returned home to talk with his wife about having children. Veronica said she wanted to become a mother soon, and Victor agreed to respect her wishes.

• Victor told Wembley that Viscount Edmund’s troops would join Count Colt’s main battle force while his father-in-law defended the Khatyn Mountains.
• Wembley urged Victor to go home and ask Veronica what she wanted about having children, reminding him to make decisions with his wife.
• Victor returned to the manor and shared a family dinner with Veronica, Enlek, and Wendy.
• Victor explained to Veronica why he had postponed having children, but learned that women in their world matured earlier than those in his previous life.
• Veronica told Victor she wanted to become a mother soon, and Victor accepted her wishes.

Victor traveled north with a cavalry force to inspect the frontier and gather firsthand intelligence on Barbarian movements, while assessing sites for future development. After following the frozen Lime River and reviewing the territory’s supply network, he reached Supply Station Number One and rested there for the night.

• Victor discussed his planned border reconnaissance with Veronica and Wembley, who supported the trip but warned him to stay safe.
• Victor set out with his Guard Squad and Marvin’s Light Cavalry battalion, taking three horses per man for speed and supplies.
• Victor’s force traveled north along the frozen Lime River, passing Lime Mine Dock and observing sleds transporting supplies across the ice.
• Victor passed beyond the territory’s settled eastern boundary and reviewed the remote supply stations and their role in frontier defense and future expansion.
• Victor reached Supply Station Number One that evening and rested there, using its abundant stores instead of his own supplies.

Victor arrived at Supply Station Number Three, where he learned that disputes over farmland had soured relations between the garrison and Luda’s relocated Horseshoe Tribe. He prepared to resolve the land conflict and improve cooperation as he surveyed the area for future expansion.

• Victor traveled directly from Supply Station Number One to Supply Station Number Three, where Luda welcomed him and described the tribe’s new farming settlement.
• Luda invited Victor to stay in the settlement, but the station commander objected, and Victor decided to stay at the station that night and visit Luda the next evening.
• The station commander explained that conflict began when Luda sought to divide the station’s reserved farmland between the garrison and his much larger tribe.
• Victor recognized that settling the dispute could strengthen cooperation and offer a model for dividing land in future developments.