Chapter Summaries

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.

After his morning drills at the supply depot, Victor invited the soldiers to test themselves against him for a reward. He defeated all twelve at once but discovered that one had managed to touch him, and awarded them each a Silver Coin.

• Victor found his guards exhausted during morning sparring, and the depot soldiers accused them of losing deliberately.
• Victor invited the depot soldiers to attack him together, offering rewards for anyone who touched him or lasted ten exchanges.
• Twelve soldiers formed a coordinated shield-and-staff line and advanced on Victor.
• Victor broke through their formation and knocked all twelve soldiers down in less than ten breaths.
• Victor praised the squad leader's coordination, pointed out a mark showing that a soldier had touched him, and awarded each soldier one Silver Coin.

After watching Gansen’s soldiers fight, Victor chose the experienced commander to lead forces guarding the territory’s planned expansion near Supply Station Number Three. He then brought Gansen and Luda together to settle their farmland dispute, leaving Gansen to consider how the Horseshoe Tribe might strengthen his troops.

• Victor’s guards gave each soldier a Silver Coin, and Gansen persuaded his squad leader to accept the reward.
• Victor praised Gansen’s soldiers, learned of Gansen’s experience and reasons for staying at the supply station, and offered him responsibility for future expansion forces.
• Victor promised to send Gansen a squadron of militia and suggested he could recruit additional manpower locally.
• Luda arrived with Horseshoe Tribe warriors, and Victor asked him and Gansen to show him the area and disputed farmland so he could propose a fair division.
• After Victor left for breakfast, Luda worried that Gansen had damaged his standing, while Gansen suspected Victor intended him to enlist the tribe’s help and grinned at Luda.

Victor and his subordinates discovered an immense stretch of fertile black soil along the Lime River, but the territory lacked the manpower to develop it immediately. He divided nearby land between Supply Station Number Three and Luda’s tribe, leaving the area poised to support future expansion northward.

• Gansen and Luda showed Victor the vast, exceptionally fertile black soil along both banks of the Lime River and explained that it would need drainage and development.
• Victor recognized the land’s agricultural value but decided the territory could not spare the manpower to cultivate it while the civil war continued.
• Victor awarded the land south of the hill to Supply Station Number Three and the land north of it to Luda’s tribe.
• Luda worried that the division favored the supply station, but Victor explained that it would be expanded into a base for future northward expansion and would gain troops and relocated families.
• Luda accepted Victor’s explanation, while Gansen agreed that the tribe’s share could support many people even if only part of it were cultivated.

Victor promised support for developing the land granted to Luda and Gansen, then planned to focus the Golden Sunflower Family on building Two Rivers Territory and the Northlands. Luda asked to end his tribe’s vassal status and join Two Rivers Territory directly, and Victor agreed to speak with Jell.

• Victor promised labor, supplies, and centralized purchases to help Luda and Gansen develop their lands, and Luda calculated the potential wealth from farming.
• Victor decided to prioritize developing Two Rivers Territory and the Northlands after the Civil War rather than competing extensively for inland holdings.
• Victor proposed recruiting Luda’s tribesmen into Gansen’s troops and sending militia families and serfs to help cultivate both families’ lands; Luda agreed to provide his finest young men.
• Luda asked Victor to annex his tribe so they could become his direct subjects and secure their land for their descendants.
• Victor assured Luda that he would protect the land, then agreed to speak with Jell about ending Luda’s vassal status; Luda pledged loyalty to Victor.

Victor approved a plan to incorporate Luda’s people and develop the fertile land into a settlement, leaving Luda and Gansen in charge of the work. He visited Luda’s rebuilt tribal settlement, where the people welcomed their improved lives under Two Rivers Territory’s standards.

• Victor decided to incorporate Luda’s people first, use them to develop the land, and eventually encourage the Horseshoe Tribe to seek incorporation as well.
• Victor outlined the development plan to Luda and Gansen, promised rewards for their work, and told Gansen he could draw supplies from the military station warehouse using Victor’s note.
• Victor returned to the military station with Luda and Gansen, then followed Luda to his tribal settlement.
• Luda showed Victor the settlement’s homes and facilities, modeled on those in Two Rivers Territory and built with transported cement and timber.
• Luda explained that his people preferred their warm houses, iron-pot meals, wheat porridge, salt, and linen clothes to their former nomadic life.
• Luda’s people held a grand ceremony to welcome Victor and express gratitude for the life he had given them.