Chapter Summaries

Lily learned that Aleister’s body had become a stone statue after her consciousness fused with Iver, while Laro received the Twin Mirrors’ gift after completing his Promotion Ritual. The chapter ended with Laro revealing that he could perfectly take on the appearance of a chosen master, including Princess Noel.

• The Night Demon Viennes told Lily and Selene that Aleister’s consciousness had fused with Iver, leaving her body a soulless stone statue.
• Viennes warned Selene not to revive Aleister with blood and instructed Lily to take the statue to the Narcissus Principality for Iver.
• Viennes said Iver would soon be free to leave the Theocracy, then vanished when Iver awoke and summoned her back.
• Laro completed his Promotion Ritual and checked Princess Noel, finding that her soul had suffered only slight tearing but that she could not use supernatural powers for two weeks.
• Laro invoked the Twin Mirrors and revealed that he could become an indistinguishable mirror substitute for a chosen master, transforming into Princess Noel.

Grey discovered that Iver had received power from Candle Holder and could cure Amberization Disease. Iver transformed into a half-human, half-deer form and made Grey Acting Pope, leaving her to hold the Most Holy Crown while he remained the true Pope.

• Grey saw antlers growing on Iver and realized he had become the Child of Candle Holder.
• Iver told Grey that Candle Holder's power let him heal injuries, including Amberization Disease, and vowed to make the condition controllable.
• Grey explained that Sin Thorns Fruit could suppress Amberization symptoms and might be developed into a preventive treatment.
• Grey questioned whether she should become Eternal Pope, but Iver said he would cure her and make her Acting Pope without announcing his new identity.
• Iver placed the Most Holy Crown and Pope's robes on Grey, then transformed into a half-human, half-deer figure that Grey recognized as a Mythical Posture.

Grey examined Iver’s transformed Sin Beast body, discovering that his black markings were wounds that could grow and control Sin Thorns bearing Carefree Lilies. Iver learned that regret medicine made from the flowers existed and that Rest might hold Akropolis’s formula, but he postponed seeking it as he considered a future trip there after dealing with Aleister and the Fallen Angel.

• Grey touched Iver’s antlers and recognized the natural Illumination Spell and Sacrificial Fire Method within them.
• Grey touched one of Iver’s black markings, causing it to bleed and revealing that the markings were painful wounds.
• Iver manifested Sin Thorns from his wounds and shaped them into wings, armor, spikes, and Carefree Lily blossoms.
• Iver recognized the flowers as an ingredient in Stat Reset Potion and asked Grey about regret medicine made from Carefree Lily.
• Grey explained that Akropolis had invented regret medicine and said Rest likely had its formula, offering to have the Theocracy search for it.
• Iver declined Grey’s offer for now and thought about visiting Rest after creating Aleister and resolving the Fallen Angel issue.

Iver cured Grey’s Amberization Disease with his wish-granting power, raising his conversion rate and unlocking a new immunity. He learned that the Candle Holder’s power had set him on a path toward transformation, then ordered the Church to intervene in Astrin as the Eternal Theocracy ended its neutrality.

• Iver used his wish-granting ability to cure Grey’s Amberization Disease, spending sixty-three mana.
• Grey’s eyes returned to normal, and she wept with relief as Iver comforted her.
• Iver’s conversion rate rose to 7%, granting him immunity to instant death, fire, and holy damage.
• Iver realized the Candle Holder’s power would prevent him from living an ordinary mortal life and could serve as a safeguard if he lost to the Ring Angel.
• Iver told Grey, as Acting Pope, to inform the Church and ordered it to intervene in Astrin’s chaos.
• The Eternal Theocracy announced that it was ending its permanent neutrality in a resolution unanimously approved by the Cardinal Bishops.

The chapter explains the forgotten history behind Fool’s Day before showing how the Theocracy’s end to its neutrality alarms Antimony’s factions. Louise’s Children of the Moon believe the announcement is unlikely to target them, while Master Walter suspects the Theocracy is coming after the Department of the Army over a leaked secret.

• The chapter recounts how the Fool Dionysus opposed the powerful and defended the weak, leading to the tradition of Fool’s Day after his name was forgotten.
• The Theocracy announces the end of its permanent neutrality on Fool’s Day, prompting people to debate whether the statement is true.
• Louise and the Children of the Moon discuss whether the announcement threatens them, and General Lister argues that the Theocracy is unlikely to intervene directly in Antimony.
• The Department of the Army interprets the announcement as a threat against them, and Master Walter asks who leaked the secret of the Ouroboros Ring Ritual.

Master Walter and the Rosy Cross Society voted to continue the Ouroboros Ring Ritual and began planning a new nation in case the ritual failed. Elsewhere, Laro considered the danger of his Illusory Blood ability and vowed not to give in to his desires, but his reflection answered with a mocking smile.

• Master Walter said the Theocracy was targeting the Ouroboros Ring Ritual, and the Society voted to continue it despite the danger.
• Miss Sprengel volunteered to trick a foreign Transcender into becoming the ritual’s sacrifice.
• Master Walter proposed establishing a nation of Transcenders if the ritual failed, and the Society agreed to found it on May 1 with the Princess as a powerless symbol.
• Laro realized his Illusory Blood ability could let him take the Princess’s place and gain power, while the Princess’s damaged soul depended on his treatment.
• Laro vowed to resist his desires, but his reflection smiled and silently challenged him.

After Pure White was cured, Iver became the Theocracy’s decisive authority, naming Theresa the Black Saintess and ending the Church’s policy of permanent neutrality. He assigned the cardinals to address international injustices, winning Belisarius’s fervent support, and left the Theocracy poised to intervene in Astrid’s turmoil.

• Iver secured the cardinals’ unanimous agreement to make Pure White Pope, end permanent neutrality, and intervene in Astrid’s political turmoil; they quickly appointed Theresa as the Eternal Saintess.
• Iver named Theresa the Black Saintess and arranged for her title to be announced on May 5, while Pure White slept on the Pope’s throne.
• The cardinals brought Iver longstanding crises to judge, including slave conflicts in the Parthian Ancient Kingdom, goblin trafficking, and assassinations organized by the Hawkeye Organization.
• Iver told Belisarius to act against injustice in the Parthian Ancient Kingdom without waiting for further authorization, while holding him responsible for his decisions.
• Belisarius, previously opposed to a human becoming Pope, became Iver’s fervent follower after Iver freed him to pursue justice.

Iver summoned Hellerchein, whose restored spirit had retained his full consciousness, and reunited him with Fafner after centuries apart. Fafner embraced her husband in tears, while Iver reflected on the tragedies his actions had prevented.

• Iver remembered that Fafner had relentlessly trained Rhine to fulfill what she believed was Hellerchein's last wish.
• Iver summoned Hellerchein before Fafner and the Cardinal Bishops.
• Fafner recognized Hellerchein and realized his spirit was lucid and genuine.
• Hellerchein apologized to Fafner, then embraced her when she began to cry.
• Fafner clung to Hellerchein and wept with joy and sorrow as Iver watched their reunion.

Iver stayed in the Theocracy while Fafna forged Hellerchein a new lance and Rhine grew close to his father. He then prepared the Theocracy for the coming apocalypse by restarting its military and sharing the burden of defense, as other nations began to realize the elves were preparing for something major.

• Iver remained in the Theocracy while Fafna forged Hellerchein a new lance, and Hellerchein bonded with Rhine by carrying him around as a Ghost Horse.
• After the Holy Day ceremony, Iver set the Theocracy’s ancient factories and wartime techniques back into operation.
• Iver argued that the Theocracy needed a powerful military to protect the world from the coming crisis and that he could not face the Fallen Angel alone.
• The Theocracy reactivated its Paladin Legion divisions and opened large-scale recruitment to adults who passed rigorous tests.
• Other nations grew alarmed as the Theocracy’s preparations became impossible to hide and recognized that the elves intended to accomplish something major.

Isabel discussed Astyn’s sudden acceptance of her state visit, the White Tide, and the Spirit Tower’s impending move to Avalon. She then asked Mycroft to help establish a Second Legion of Black Knights to oversee power as Avalon’s society grew more diverse.

• Isabel and Mycroft concluded that Astyn had agreed to her visit because the Theocracy had begun conscripting troops, and Isabel scheduled her departure for a week later.
• Isabel explained that Iver planned to visit the Narcissus Principality and reunite with his mentor, while Mycroft described the White Tide affecting Astyn.
• Isabel told Mycroft that the Spirit Tower would fly to Avalon on April 9 and settle in Eagle Cape Village.
• Isabel revealed that Hai Na and David were among those gathered for a new Second Legion, and that David had become a Black Knight.
• Isabel asked Mycroft to organize the Black Knights under the Inspectorate to supervise power and handle matters that could not be done openly.

Iver arrived at Basel Port in the Narcissus Principality aboard Theocracy’s powerful warship, the Cruel Evangelist, and reflected on the history of the giants and Theocracy’s conflicts with them. Cardinal Galatea offered to guide him to the ancient site, but Iver declined, noting that the landscape might have changed in the six centuries since her last visit.

• Iver stepped ashore at Basel Port in papal robes, carrying the Corona Scepter, while the Cruel Evangelist remained ready for orders.
• Iver recalled the Cruel Evangelist’s weaponry and considered how its firepower might have changed Hellerchein’s fate during his mission to Avalon.
• Iver reviewed the history of the Alke People, the elves’ wars with the giants, and Kastenning’s role in restraining them.
• Cardinal Galatea, who had visited the region six hundred and forty-one years earlier, offered to guide Iver.
• Iver declined Galatea’s offer because he expected the terrain to have changed over the centuries.

Professor Bard prepared for an archaeological expedition to investigate a possible Amber Era ruin, hoping it would help him become an apostle. Iver arrived with Cardinal Galatea and revealed that she was an Amber Era Star Crystal Person who might understand the ruin, bringing the expedition’s number of transcendent members to nine.

• Professor Bard reflected on his age, his ambition to become an apostle, and his plans to excavate a possible Amber Era ruin in the Narcissus Principality.
• Professor Bard questioned Albrecht Dürer about why the assembled archaeological team had not yet departed, but Dürer remained silent.
• Iver arrived and explained the origin of Protagoras Territory’s name, startling Professor Bard with his appearance in the Eternal Pope’s attire.
• Albrecht Dürer greeted Iver as Pope Your Majesty, and Iver recognized him as the Insect Amber Master and asked him not to reveal Iver’s identity to the others.
• Iver introduced Cardinal Galatea as an Amber Era Star Crystal Person who might understand the ruin better than the team did.
• The Insect Amber Master realized that the group now contained nine transcendent members, the number associated with extremity and required for a great ritual.

Rogue returned from drinking and discovered that important guests had joined the expedition team. He recognized the blond young man and his beautiful companion as powerful Fifth Level supernatural beings, leaving him wary as he entered the Reception Room.

• Rogue sobered up when he sensed numerous breaths inside the villa and cautiously checked his equipment before entering.
• Little Cat met Rogue outside and warned him that an important lord was inside.
• Rogue learned that the guest was even more important than the Great Mage who had brought him.
• Rogue entered the Reception Room and met a blond young man whose class and strength he identified as a Fifth Level Healer.
• Rogue assessed the young man's white-haired companion as a Fifth Level expert skilled with illusions.

Rogue met Iver and the other members of the expedition, learning their codenames and backgrounds. The introductions ended with Professor Bard describing the rare Horus and Primordial people in the group.

• Rogue realized Iver's white-haired companion did not breathe or have a heartbeat, then introduced himself as a Fourth Level Survival Expert.
• Iver chose the codename Pope, Cardinal Galatea chose Doll, and the Great Mage chose Sine while Professor Bard remained Professor.
• Little Cat recognized Professor Bard from a ruin expedition five years earlier, and Bard confirmed they had met when she was a Third Level Assassin.
• Sine introduced Encyclopedia as a Horus Dream Wandering Monk, and Iver exchanged blessings with him using the Horus name for Dawn Angel, Aton.
• Rogue recalled the Horus Empire's history, its defeat, and the curse it laid on the nations that invaded it.
• Sine introduced Mu, a silent Temple Warrior Monk, and Zhu Tang, a Grand Wizard from the Primordial Empire who had crossed the desert with him.

Iver met Wizard Zhu Tang, a blind Primordial exile who had fled Parthia after helping its starving commoners resist the Good Lords. Iver promised to help him return home and decided the expedition’s priority was to keep everyone safe as they explored the ruin.

• Iver spoke Primordial Language with Zhu Tang, who asked to touch Iver’s horns and then performed the three bows and nine kowtows ritual to honor the Child of Candle Holder.
• Zhu Tang explained that he and Mr. Mu had tried to help starving Parthians, angering the Good Lords and forcing them to flee west through the desert.
• Zhu Tang revealed that he had been exiled from the Primordial Empire and wanted to return to protect his family, despite the danger posed by the Good Lords.
• When Cardinal Galatea asked whether he would make the same choice again, Zhu Tang said he would still help the commoners because ignoring injustice was unrighteous.
• Iver promised to help Zhu Tang and resolved to protect everyone summoned to explore the ruin, whatever they found there.
• Iver announced that the group would set out the next day and cast a Calming Blessing as the team’s captain.

Iver’s team reached a seemingly ordinary mountain village, where Insect Amber Master revealed that the Tower to the Heavens had been preserved in a sealed fragment of the Amber Era. He opened the fragment, exposing the ruined tower, and hinted to Iver that resurrection required power beyond the world’s current limits.

• Iver and Cardinal Galatea’s blessings helped the team travel quickly toward the ruins, where they found a mountain village instead of an ancient site.
• Cardinal Galatea remembered the area from six hundred years earlier, while Professor Bard suggested that the ruins might have been concealed.
• Insect Amber Master revealed that the site was an Amber Era ruin preserved outside ordinary space-time and that opening it required Seventh-Level Preservation.
• Insect Amber Master spread an amber web and shattered it, unveiling a brighter sky and the enormous, half-destroyed Tower to the Heavens.
• Encyclopedia explained that the Great Sage had broken the tower during the Second Sun Era, and Iver introduced Insect Amber Master as the world’s first Amber Artisan.
• Insect Amber Master said that reversing life and death required reaching the Eighth Level if the world’s upper limit rose to the Seventh, prompting Iver to suspect he knew more.

Iver and his companions examined the preserved ruins of the Tower to the Heavens, discussing the dangers of ancient preservation techniques and preparing to enter. After an unseen defense severed Rogue’s arm, Iver restored it instantly and assured the group he would heal them.

• Iver realized the Insect Amber Master understood that the world’s level cap could be raised, then the group discussed whether anyone might still be alive inside the preserved ruins.
• The Dream Wandering Monk explained why preserving living people was unlikely, while Sine argued that people could survive through petrification and Rogue mocked his teacher and Mage Tower.
• Iver calmed the group and warned them to avoid touching suspicious objects, then sent Rogue ahead to scout while Little Cat opened the gate.
• Rogue entered the ruins and triggered an unseen defense that severed his left arm, but Iver healed it in less than a second.

Iver and his temporary teammates worked together to defeat four invisible Puppet Guards hidden inside a false corridor. After the battle, Iver reassured them that he could heal any injuries they suffered.

• Rogue lured out a Puppet Guard, and Iver quickly healed his severed arm.
• Doll dispelled the corridor's illusion, revealing four gemstone Puppet Guards and the true garden-like passage.
• Mu used his Lion's Roar to suppress the guards while Sine and Zhu Tang immobilized or attacked them, and Little Cat dismantled the green construct.
• Mu fought the yellow guard head-on as Iver repeatedly healed him, while Rogue's gunfire helped interrupt the construct's attacks.
• Mu destroyed the final Puppet Guard with a conjured weapon after it briefly regained awareness.
• Iver explained that his right eye could see vitality and told his teammates to leave their battle injuries to him.

Iver and his companions defeated the Puppet Guards, then examined the ancient runes and gemstones they found inside them. When the system failed to identify the gems, Iver connected the anomaly to Ring Angel’s past cycles and realized the ruin might contain knowledge and power beyond the angel’s plans.

• Iver reflected on how the experienced Transcendents coordinated effectively to defeat the Puppet Guards despite having no battle plan.
• Little Cat dismantled the defeated puppets and found two large gemstones, while the other two gems had gone dim and shattered.
• Encyclopedia identified the gems’ markings as ancient runes from before the elves, used to channel supernatural power rather than convey language.
• Great Mage Sine photographed the runes with his own advanced camera while Professor Bard recorded them.
• Iver found that the system would not appraise the visibly powerful gemstones and recalled that it had also failed to respond to Alcoholic Liver and Sister Sasha’s eye.
• Iver remembered the Pure White Saintess saying he seemed to remember skills rather than learn them, and suspected the ruin’s knowledge might lie outside Ring Angel’s plans.

Iver and the group explored the Tower to the Heavens, where they uncovered a trap and discovered that the ancient ruins preserved a form of direct mind-to-mind communication. Iver concluded that language had once been a mystical power used to kill the Second Sun, before the Tower’s destruction turned it into ordinary speech.

• Iver connected the Second Sun’s death by sacrifices and language to the ancient runes, but the Insect Amber Master denied that the runes were what he had come to find.
• Rogue detected a trap, and Little Cat disarmed it, uncovering four rune slabs that seemed designed to separate or teleport intruders.
• The group discussed the Tower’s preserved spacetime and realized that its preservation spell was being continuously powered by an energy source near the center of the First Layer.
• As the group approached the center, their thoughts became audible to one another, and Professor Bard recognized the phenomenon as communication from an era before writing and widespread language.
• Iver explained that ancient people communicated through direct connections between consciousnesses, while language had been a mystical path power that could kill the Second Sun; after the Tower fell, language gradually became ordinary communication.