Chapter Summaries

Victor organized Two Rivers Territory’s factories, labor, farmland, livestock, and expanding borders as its population and resources grew. He planned to finish military awards and hold a collective wedding and Harvest Festival at the end of the year.

• Veronica took charge of factory production while Victor was freed from daily travel between Riverside Village and Wood Fort Town.
• James brought 12,000 slaves to Green Valley Territory, increasing mining output and helping the Steelworks raise its monthly iron production to 150 tons.
• Two Rivers Territory’s population surpassed 100,000, its winter wheat harvest replenished grain reserves, and nearly ten thousand slaves began work on irrigation for newly cleared farmland.
• Victor expanded the territory north along the Great Fish River, allocating land for farmland, grazing, and winter livestock pens.
• Victor divided the horse ranch into warhorse and ordinary ranches, placing them under Luoza and Adelaide respectively.
• Victor planned to complete military merit awards before holding a collective wedding and the territory’s first Harvest Festival at the end of October.

Victor planned how to settle new Freemen, relocate military families, and limit future slave purchases as Two Rivers Territory approached its population capacity. He approved a campaign merit and reward plan that granted land, money, supplies, and freedom to soldiers’ families, leaving the territory with fewer reserves but ample funds.

• Victor planned to distribute newly freed indentured workers among three villages and move more than three thousand military family members from Golden Sunflower Territory to Pasture Village.
• Victor sent half the campaign’s seized gold and silver to Former Baron Wembley to help replenish Golden Sunflower Territory’s population.
• Victor reduced next year’s slave purchases to around ten thousand and prioritized integrating existing slaves into the territory.
• On September 4, the General Staff and Civil Administration submitted their merit and reward plan, and Victor and Number One reviewed and revised it.
• Victor approved rewards for the campaign’s combat and logistics troops, including land, money, goods, and the release of more than four thousand soldiers’ family members from serfdom.
• Victor funded land and tools for the new Freemen, pensions for fallen and wounded soldiers, and a military cemetery, while retaining enough working capital to cover the costs.

Victor assessed how land rewards and the territory’s food and livestock needs required Two Rivers Territory to expand. He chose to develop about 800 square kilometers south of the Great Fish River and left plans for surveying and settlement construction underway.

• Victor calculated that future Freeman leases and crop rotation would require far more land, so Two Rivers Territory needed at least 500 square kilometers suitable for development.
• Victor ruled out further expansion north of the Great Fish River and chose the area south of it, avoiding the unsuitable Red Soil Wasteland and conflict with James’s Green Valley Territory.
• Victor planned to develop 500 square kilometers along the eastern coast and 300 inland to the west, using Riverside Village and Green Field Village as starting points for new settlements.
• Victor ordered scouting units to survey both sides of the great forest before winter and instructed Number One to prepare development plans with the Calculation Module.
• Victor sent trophies and chieftains’ heads from the Blazing Fire Tribe campaign to Iron Birch Territory, hoping Count Colt could exchange them for war merit and additional development rights.

Victor convened officials to review Two Rivers Territory’s finances, trade, agriculture, livestock, and industrial needs as thousands of people prepared to become freemen. The meeting ended with plans to expand sugar production and address shortages of silage and cement in next year’s budget.

• Victor introduced Veronica Golden Pear as his fiancée and said she would become mistress of the Golden Sunflower Family next spring.
• Powell reported on the territory’s population and explained that single slaves had been registered as separate households.
• Rabik reported 8,400 gold coins in total trade income, while Tony reported record sugar beet yields and 134 tons of White Sugar in storage.
• Victor ordered a one-fifth increase in sugar beet acreage and 10 tons of new sugar for the victory celebration.
• Luoza reported on plans to grow the warhorse ranch’s stock, and Adelaide requested more funding to expand silage storage.
• Levant warned that cement shortages could hinder livestock and dock construction, so Victor asked Jimmy about expanding cement production; Jimmy said the plant needed more workers.

Victor reviewed factory wages, production, and railway progress at a development conference, approving factory relocations and plans to sell surplus armor. The meeting ended with preparations to complete the wooden railway and begin testing iron rails.

• Victor questioned the low wages at the brickworks and cement plant, but Jimmy argued that workers' combined farm and factory income was already high and advised against raises.
• Jimmy proposed moving the brickworks and cement plant to the north bank of the Great Fish River, and Victor approved the relocation and left site selection to him.
• Bob reported increased armor and farm-tool production, and Victor asked Tony's Commerce Department to prepare a plan to sell weapons externally.
• Rafam reported that the wooden railway was eighty percent complete and that trial operations had increased transport efficiency fourfold.
• Victor ordered Rafam to compile railway and railcar data, directed the Steelworks to begin trial production of iron rails, and told Bob to cooperate with Rafam.

Victor reviewed Two Rivers Territory’s agricultural, medical, irrigation, tax, and financial progress at a development conference. After agreeing to revise next year’s budget, he began hearing reports from the towns and villages, with Powell starting for Wood Fort Town.

• Victor asked Sam about winter wheat preparations, and Sam reported that the farmland, labor, tools, and livestock were ready for November planting.
• Isaac reported on medicinal plant cultivation and hospital services, including progress toward growing northern sage and other useful herbs locally.
• Zarack reported that irrigation construction was progressing steadily but remained constrained by cement production, so Victor ordered Jimmy to expand cement output.
• Buffon reported that the territory had collected 3,100 gold in taxes so far and expected further agricultural taxes and loan repayments by year’s end.
• Weber reported that this year’s spending had exceeded its budget and recommended revising next year’s plan, which Victor agreed to do.
• Powell began the settlement reports by offering to report on Wood Fort Town.

Victor reviewed the territory’s settlements, agriculture, and industrial plans, then asked Veronica to report on a secret research project. Veronica revealed that her team had completed a small prototype of a machine that could power vehicles without people or animals.

• Powell reported Wood Fort Town’s population and development, and Victor thanked him for his work.
• Vincent reported Sea Song Town’s population and plans for its harbor, shipyard, and trade fleet.
• Mala and Rafam discussed Red Soil Village’s Iron Bean harvest, while Adelaide and Fam reported on Pasture Village and Green Field Village.
• Victor ended the meeting and asked Powell, Orlando, Veronica, Weber, Bob, and Rafam to remain.
• Bob and Rafam praised Veronica’s work resolving factory problems, and Veronica described the prototype’s potential to power carriages and ships.
• Victor asked Veronica to take the group to the research lab to see the completed prototype.

Victor visited the research facility and saw Internal Combustion Engine Number One, a diesel-powered rail machine capable of hauling heavy loads. The group learned it could greatly increase ore transport, though its weight and maintenance needs limited its usefulness on the current tracks.

• Victor asked Number One how to keep money circulating within Two Rivers Territory, and Number One proposed supply-and-marketing cooperatives and state-run stores.
• Victor and the others arrived at the research facility, where Veronica showed them the completed engine prototype.
• Veronica explained that the eight-ton engine ran on Sunflower Oil and could haul three carriages loaded with twenty tons each at five to six kilometers per hour.
• Powell realized the engine could transport cargo for over a hundred kilometers without stopping, and Veronica clarified that it could haul sixty tons in total.
• Weber calculated that the engine could deliver up to nine hundred tons of ore monthly, but Veronica estimated seven to eight hundred tons after accounting for maintenance and track damage.

Victor demonstrated Internal Combustion Engine Number One to Powell, Weber, and Orlando, explaining that it could power ships as well as rail vehicles. He then gave Orlando new security instructions and ordered an Intelligence Department team to monitor Silver Maple City.

• Veronica started Internal Combustion Engine Number One, and the machine roared to the excitement of Powell, Weber, and Orlando.
• Victor asked the others to keep the demonstration secret and told Veronica to go home after finishing her work.
• Victor ordered Orlando to strengthen laboratory security and said the garrison regiment should help protect the machine during its steelworks trial.
• Orlando reported that the duchy-wide survey was progressing, that Bria County had been mapped, and that Dane was being trained before returning to the Blood Scorpion Tribe.
• Victor directed Orlando to send an Intelligence Department action team with the Gorn Trading Company to Silver Maple City to report any changes there.

Victor worried that Two Rivers Territory’s expansion would strain administration and communication, then decided to pursue telegraph technology using a generator powered by the low-speed diesel engine. He gave Veronica the plans and told her they would sail to Iron Mountain Fortress the next day, without explaining why.

• Victor worried that distant settlements and the Intelligence Department’s work would suffer from slow, unreliable message delivery.
• Victor and Number One discussed the costs of territorial expansion, and Number One pointed out that the newly completed low-speed diesel engine could power a generator for telegraphs and telephones.
• Victor authorized the Combat Assistance Module and began drawing generator plans.
• Victor gave Veronica the blueprints and documents, and she marveled at the prospect of communicating across hundreds of miles.
• Victor told Veronica they would leave by ship for Iron Mountain Fortress the next day, but kept their purpose for the visit secret.

Victor took Veronica by ship toward Northwind City on their way to Iron Mountain Fortress, persuading her that the trip would not disrupt her engine research. After receiving and approving a military-rank proposal, he had a sudden idea after Veronica said she wished she could fly, and began sketching a hot-air balloon.

• Victor brought Veronica aboard Rogier’s reinforced fleet and promised they would return to Two Rivers Territory before September 15.
• Little Paru delivered a General Staff message by Gale, and Victor approved the revised military-rank proposal before sending his reply back.
• Gale flew off with the message as the sailors admired its flight, and Veronica said she wished she could fly too.
• Victor abruptly led Veronica into the cabin, where she found him drawing a design for a hot-air balloon.

Victor explained hot air balloons to Veronica, who quickly developed a burner design and proposed a linen-and-silk envelope. She wanted to return to Two Rivers Territory to build a prototype, but Victor insisted on continuing to Iron Mountain Fortress, where he had important business to handle; the fleet was nearing Northwind City.

• Victor explained how heated air provided lift and described the hot air balloon's envelope, burner, and basket to Veronica.
• Veronica assessed Victor's burner blueprint and proposed using a linen envelope reinforced with silk near the burner and at the joints.
• Veronica urged Victor to turn the ship around and return to Two Rivers Territory so she could build a hot air balloon, but he refused because he needed to visit Iron Mountain Fortress.
• Victor and his companions continued sailing for two days, while Gale carried messages between the fleet and Two Rivers Territory.
• On the third morning, Victor told Little Paru and Gale to rest because the fleet would reach Northwind City in three hours, after which the group would go to Iron Mountain Fortress.

Victor traveled with Veronica from Northwind City toward Iron Mountain Fortress, where he unexpectedly encountered her father, Viscount Benjamin. Benjamin challenged Victor to teach him a lesson for keeping Veronica away, but Veronica said Benjamin was no match for him.

• Port supervisor Letho welcomed Victor and arranged for workers to unload the fleet's cargo while Rogier coordinated the delivery.
• Rogier told Letho that Veronica was Benjamin's daughter and Victor's fiancée, then learned Benjamin had been staying at Iron Mountain Fortress for a week.
• Victor and Veronica rode toward the fortress and sent a messenger ahead to announce their arrival.
• A cavalry troop bearing the Golden Pear Territory crest charged at Victor, who blocked the lead knight's sword strike.
• Victor stopped his guards from retaliating and identified the knight as Viscount Benjamin.
• Benjamin declared that he would teach Victor a lesson for keeping Veronica from returning home, while Veronica warned him that Victor was too strong for him.

Victor reunited with Viscount Benjamin’s officers while Benjamin and Veronica argued over her stay in Two Rivers Territory. As Victor tried to calm the dispute, Benjamin turned away from him, leaving the others to wonder whether Victor could win him over.

• Viscount Benjamin accused Victor of keeping Veronica from home, but Veronica defended Victor and said she had chosen to stay longer.
• Victor greeted Baron Raymond Majulan and offered him a loan and discounted supplies, but Raymond declined, explaining that his territory was already deeply in debt and he was satisfied with its progress.
• Victor reflected on James’s dependence on Two Rivers Territory and on how his own resources and military spoils had helped make his territory powerful.
• Pim urged Victor to speak with Benjamin before the party departed for Iron Mountain Fortress, and the officers began betting on whether he would succeed.
• Victor took Veronica’s hand, asked her to get some water, and approached Benjamin, who turned away rather than speak with him.

Victor and Viscount Benjamin joined Count Colt and Alex at Iron Mountain Fortress, where they learned that Raine Kingdom factions planned to expose Iron Birch Territory’s secret treaty with the Raine Kingdom military to Grand Duke Mora. Count Colt feared that the revelation would convince Northern Frontier nobles to abandon the Iron Birch Family.

• Victor whispered to Viscount Benjamin, who changed his attitude and returned to the group with him, while Pim made a small profit.
• Victor and Viscount Benjamin arrived at Iron Mountain Fortress and met Count Colt and Alex for a private discussion.
• Alex explained that Western Nobles in the Raine Kingdom planned to alert Grand Duke Mora to Iron Birch Territory’s cooperation with the Raine Kingdom military so Mora would move against the Iron Birch Family.
• Alex revealed that the Western Nobles had obtained the secret treaty, aided by conflicts between reformist and conservative factions within the Raine Kingdom military.
• Count Colt said the revelation could make Northern Frontier nobles doubt their Raine Kingdom backing and betray the Iron Birch Family.

Count Colt explained that Grand Duke Mora had learned of the Northern Frontier nobles’ possible rebellion and redeployed troops to block their advance. He argued that Mora’s deployment left the eastern route open, though Victor remained concerned about the risks.

• Viscount Benjamin urged Count Colt to launch the rebellion, but Count Colt said the rebels were not ready and that he was not confident of victory.
• Count Colt revealed that Grand Duke Mora had learned of the rebellion through envoys from the Western Nobles of the Raine Kingdom.
• Count Colt said Mora had moved the Second and Third Legions north, with Count Carter commanding the Second Legion at Carn City in Notting County.
• Count Colt explained that nearly forty thousand troops at Carn City made an attack on Notting County almost impossible, but said the rebels could instead advance through Bria County along the Blackwater River.
• Victor assessed the eastern route as largely undefended, and Count Colt declared that Mora had made a terrible move.

Grand Duke Mora discussed troop deployments and a plan to weaken Colt’s Northern Alliance by exposing a secret pact with the Raine Kingdom. Colt dismissed Mora’s defenses and said only the pact threatened his plans.

• Count Lagos warned Mora that the Third Legion could not defend Blackwater City and questioned the deployment of the Second Legion to Carn City.
• Mora explained that he needed to mobilize quickly because Colt might act after learning his rebellion had been exposed, while Lagos argued that winter made an invasion unlikely.
• Mora revealed that the Raine Kingdom had obtained Colt’s secret pact and planned to use it to convince the Northlands nobles that Raine support for the Iron Birch Family was gone.
• Lagos agreed to gather supplies for Blackwater City and help rebuild the Third Legion as Mora said the pact would arrive in six days.
• Colt said the Northern nobles would not march in winter and that Mora’s legions could not stop his army as long as the secret pact remained out of Mora’s hands.

Count Colt assigned Victor and Benjamin to monitor potentially disloyal nobles while Alex led an elite squad to intercept the secret pact. Victor agreed to oversee two nearby territories and proposed marrying Veronica without waiting for the planned wedding ceremony, which Benjamin accepted.

• Count Colt told Victor and Benjamin that Mora had contacted some of the Northlands' independent nobles and ordered Alex to lead a squad to intercept the secret pact convoy.
• Count Colt assigned Victor and Benjamin to watch nearby nobles, while other trusted nobles and troops were tasked with monitoring the remaining potential allies and frontier lords.
• Victor questioned the order to monitor Baron Brown, but Count Colt explained his concerns about the Alfalfa Family and left the suppression mission to Victor's judgment.
• Victor planned to send troops to watch Baron Brown and the Black Pine Viscountcy, and Count Colt said the nobles only needed to be kept stable until the Northlands' forces were ready next spring.
• Victor proposed marrying Veronica without holding the planned wedding ceremony, and Benjamin agreed.

Victor married Veronica in a simple ceremony as war approached, then joined Count Colt and Alex’s operation to intercept a secret pact and protect the Iron Birch heir. After sending orders to Two Rivers Territory and making arrangements for his family and troops, Victor prepared to leave with Alex before dawn.

• Victor asked Count Colt to let him intercept the secret pact and help guard Alex, explaining that he wanted to earn merit for the Iron Birch Family’s operation.
• Victor used Gale to send mobilization orders to Two Rivers Territory and asked Count Colt to bring Old Baron Wembley there to manage the territory.
• Veronica insisted on returning to Two Rivers Territory to help Victor, and Victor agreed to respect her wishes.
• Victor sent two guards to fetch Old Baron Wembley and ordered his remaining guards to prepare for a secret mission in the duchy’s west.
• Count Colt supplied special Iron Birch bark half-armor, and Victor and Alex prepared to depart for the Carson Mountains before dawn.

Victor and Alex led 120 soldiers across the Carson Mountains toward Haiden City, relying on Count Colt’s preparations to replace their mounts and evade the Duchy’s forces. After killing a Second Legion scout patrol near Lack City, they hurried to hide the bodies and continue toward the commercial station.

• Count Colt equipped Victor and Alex’s force with Aran Horses and explained that hidden commercial stations near Haiden City held warhorses for their journey across York County.
• Count Colt told Victor that ships were carrying his letter to the Golden Sunflower Territory and that Count Black might hinder the Grand Duchy’s actions there.
• Victor and Alex crossed the Carson Mountains and chose the shorter, steeper route toward Lack City before resting at an alpine meadow.
• Victor and Alex’s soldiers killed eight Second Legion Light Cavalry scouts near Lack City.
• Victor ordered his men to throw the bodies into the river so they could reach Haiden City and change horses before the patrols discovered the missing scouts.