Chapter Summaries

Brando examined the Temple of Flames' dead and concluded that an enormous, unseen creature had killed them with illusion magic, though no one could identify it. He suspected it was the Ring of Trade Winds' quest boss, while Qian developed golden patterns on her hand that Brando believed could help him make her an Elemental Envoy.

• Count Odin saw the Temple of Flames emblem and a Grey Knight among the corpses, then watched Brando reconstruct how the warrior monks had died without a struggle.
• Brando reasoned that a huge creature had silently killed the Temple force and asked Count Odin, Wald, and Quenir whether they recognized the method; none thought it was a Ghost.
• Brando suspected the creature was the same one that had attacked the druids and was probably the quest's boss, so he concluded they needed to find a way forward without fighting it.
• Brando noticed golden patterns spreading across Qian's hand and reassured her that they were likely a beneficial effect of the Golden Apple.
• Brando said the magic power in Qian's body might let him turn her into an Elemental Envoy, but he needed to ask Lady Otales after she woke up.

Brando prepared a network of scouts as the mana tide brought a deadly Frost Tide to the Black Forest. After fire sparks revealed how many outposts were failing, he warned that the winter solstice wolf pack was approaching and urged the party to move faster.

• Brando expanded his Fireclaw Lizardmen warning network and drew a Vampire Baron card, hoping to gain a stronger scout.
• As the Frost Tide arrived, the centaurs, Brando, and Quenir lit fire sparks to protect themselves from the extreme cold.
• Brando warned Ward that the second wolf pack would be the winter solstice wolves and pointed out that the mana tide had begun.
• Dozens of fire-spark pillars rose across the forest as chaotic weather battered the region and outpost lights began going dark.
• Brando told the party to hurry because the forest was growing dangerous, while Ward stared at the place where a pillar of light had vanished.

Brando led the group through Wolf's Pass as winter wolves attacked, using his knowledge of their tactics to turn the battle in the centaurs’ favor. A gray-haired swordsman watched from a nearby mountaintop and wondered whether Brando was Cruzian.

• Ward reacted to the vanished pillar of light, and Brando explained that it had appeared over the Arborwood, the centaurs’ homeland.
• As winter wolves gathered in the dark, Brando prepared the group to cross Wolf's Pass before the second wave arrived.
• Winter wolf packs attacked the travelers, and many pillars of light went out as other groups were overwhelmed.
• Count Odin offered to command the centaurs, but Brando took charge and coordinated their attacks against the wolves.
• The centaurs drove off a wounded wolf pack, impressing Count Odin with Brando’s battle tactics.
• A gray-haired swordsman watched the fight from a distant mountaintop and murmured, “Cruzian?”

Brando’s army fought through the Winterwolves at Wolf’s Pass, with Ward leading a centaur vanguard in a deadly charge that opened a path. The survivors reached the pass, but Ward and his remaining centaurs stayed behind to cover their retreat.

• Brando led the army toward Wolf’s Pass as Winterwolves attacked from the front and both flanks.
• Ward led roughly one-third of the centaurs in a vanguard charge, while Quenir’s Treants fired a volley that disrupted the wolves’ spearhead.
• Brando charged into the Winterwolf pack and carved a gap that the centaurs, knights, Treants, and Fireclaw Lizardmen pushed through.
• Brando saw that Ward and the surviving centaurs had formed a rear guard to cover the army’s retreat.
• Ward gestured to Brando and Quenir with the words, “We are the children of the forest—,” and Brando closed his eyes.

Count Odin and the Fireclaw lizardmen joined the battle against the winter wolves, helping Brando’s group cross Wolf’s Pass into the storm circle. As the survivors mourned their losses and discussed goodwill and civilization, the Grey Sword Saint Mephisto appeared before them.

• Count Odin entrusted the delegation to Count Robelun, rallied Eluin’s knights, and charged into the winter wolf pack.
• Brando ordered Ropal to cover the retreat, and the Fireclaw lizardmen joined the fight alongside the knights and centaurs.
• Brando’s group crossed Wolf’s Pass after heavy casualties, leaving them at the entrance to the storm circle.
• Antitina reassured Brando that regret and dissatisfaction were part of being human, while Quenir argued that goodwill and communication sustained civilization.
• Mephisto emerged from the forest and blocked the group’s path, and Brando recognized him as the Grey Sword Saint.

Brando recognized the legendary Grey Sword Saint Mephisto, who appeared far earlier than history suggested and mistook Brando for a Cruzian because he knew the Frostfall Legion’s tactics. The chapter ended with Mephisto pointing his sword at Brando and Brando unable to explain how he had learned them.

• Brando recalled Mephisto’s infamous attack on the Cruzian Empire and realized the Sword Saint had appeared years ahead of schedule.
• Mephisto arrived and examined the group before drawing his greatsword and pointing it at Brando.
• Mephisto asked whether Brando was a Cruzian, but Brando insisted that he was an Eluin.
• Mephisto suspected Brando belonged to the Frostfall Legion because he used its tactics against winter wolves.
• Brando struggled to explain that he had learned the tactics through game experience and feared Mephisto would attack him.

Brando tried to prove he was Eluinian without exposing the Regent Princess’s secret support, but Mephisto demanded to know where Veronica was and attacked him. As Mephisto’s sword thrust toward Brando, Otales awakened and spoke to him, leaving Brando to block the Grey Sword Saint’s strike.

• Brando chose to identify himself with White Crow Swordplay rather than reveal the princess’s brooch.
• Mephisto demanded that Brando tell him where Veronica was and threatened to take him hostage.
• Brando evaded Mephisto’s first attack, but Mephisto followed with Dragon Strike and forced him into a deadly exchange.
• Otales awakened when she sensed danger and commented on Mephisto’s strength.
• Brando raised the Sword of Earth to block Mephisto’s thrust.

Brando struggled against Mephisto until Otales took control of his body and used Flash Sword, leading Mephisto and the Eluin delegation to believe Brando was a member of the Cruz Royal Family. Brando planned to draw Mephisto away so he could prove his real identity without exposing the princess's silver brooch.

• Mephisto pressed Brando with relentless attacks, while Brando realized he could not use White Crow Swordplay to counter him.
• Brando gave Otales control of his body, and she used three rapid sword strikes to drive Mephisto back.
• Mephisto recognized Otales's Flash Sword and accused Brando of being a descendant of Gilt, while Robelun concluded that Brando belonged to the Cruz Royal Family.
• Brando learned that Otales had used Flash Sword because it suited his body, and he worried that the delegation would no longer believe he was Eluin.
• Brando decided to lure Mephisto somewhere deserted rather than reveal the princess's silver brooch, and Otales agreed to lead him west.

Brando sent Antitina and the others toward Holy White Stone while he and Otales lured Mephisto into the forest. As Antitina led the group onward, Veronica arrived and demanded to find Brando, and Antitina ordered Qian to take her to him.

• Brando told Antitina to lead the group north to Holy White Stone, then Otales used Azure Sky Patrol to draw Mephisto into the forest.
• Otales and Brando evaded Mephisto’s attacks and continued deeper into the forest while the others waited for them to return.
• Antitina continued the group’s march through the snowstorm, reassuring Qian that they had to follow Brando’s orders.
• Veronica arrived and held her sword to Antitina’s neck as she demanded news of the Cruzian delegation and Brando.
• Antitina told Veronica that Brando was not with the group, then ordered Qian to take Veronica to him.

Brando and Otales discovered a slaughtered Temple of Flames party in the forest while dangerous creatures approached from both directions. Brando escaped with Qian as Veronica and Mephisto faced off, but a sharp whistle suddenly came from behind them.

• Otales followed the smell of blood to a clearing where Brando recognized the corpses as members of the Temple of Flames.
• Mephisto arrived and demanded that Brando surrender, while Brando sensed threats approaching from the west and east.
• Veronica and Qian emerged from the bushes, and Veronica and Mephisto turned their attention toward each other.
• Brando took control from Otales, signaled Qian to join him, and fled toward the Holy White Stone with her.
• Otales warned Brando that something was coming from behind, and a sharp whistle tore through the air toward his head.

Brando and Qian survived a colossal attack in the forest and discovered a cloud-formed, fifteen-headed creature that Otales identified as a possible projection of the Saint Hydra. As the Wall in the Clouds began closing and pillars of light went dark, Antitina and the others waited anxiously at the Holy White Stone while Delphine worried about Elman.

• Brando pulled Qian into a hollow tree to escape a sweeping blast, and the two accidentally kissed as they recovered.
• Otales identified the attack as a tail-sweep from an Aetherial Creature, and Brando found Qian's Thunder Spear outside.
• Brando saw a gigantic, cloud-formed creature with fifteen dragon heads looming over the forest, and Otales suspected it was a projection of the Saint Hydra.
• Fog spread through the forest as the Wall in the Clouds advanced and pillars of light went out across the land.
• At the Holy White Stone, Caglis, Medea, Antitina, Fro, and Delphine watched the lights disappear while waiting for Brando and Qian to return.

Brando and Qian cautiously crossed the forest to escape the Saint Hydra, which was attacking something across the valley. Veronica pulled them into hiding and warned them that the creature had spread its mist over the forest, leaving their escape uncertain.

• Brando crawled out of the tree hollow and helped Qian climb out, warning her to stay silent when she saw the Saint Hydra.
• Brando led Qian behind a boulder and planned a route through the trees toward the valley beyond the northern ridge.
• They crossed the forest and reached the stream while the Saint Hydra turned to attack something on the other side of the valley.
• Veronica seized Brando and held a sword to Qian, telling them to stay quiet if they wanted to live.
• Brando realized the Saint Hydra's mist covered the forest and could detect anyone who left the dense trees.

Brando fought Veronica after she threatened Qian to force him to help find Faina. He managed to free Qian, but Veronica realized too late that their clash had left her exposed beneath the Saint Hydra.

• Veronica dragged Brando into the grass, questioned him about Faina and Elman, and demanded that he take her to them.
• Brando refused to search for Faina and explained that he had to reach the Ring of Trade Winds to restore order and protect the Green Tower.
• Veronica threatened Qian with her sword, so Brando attacked her and forced her to release Qian.
• Brando threw the Sword of Earth at Veronica, then used White Crow sword qi to turn it around and attack again, giving Qian a chance to escape.
• Veronica noticed the Saint Hydra's fifteen heads above them and realized Brando's attacks had left her standing alone in an open space.

Brando and Qian fled through the Mist Forest while Veronica fought the Saint Hydra and encountered its newly formed mist knights. Brando discovered that the knights were part of the Mist Nightmare, and more figures appeared as he prepared to fight again.

• The Saint Hydra attacked Veronica, Brando, and Qian with a vast storm of qi arrows, but Veronica protected herself with a wind shield.
• Veronica struck at Brando and Qian with her sword, but Brando grabbed Qian and escaped into the forest.
• The Saint Hydra's scattered qi arrows re-formed as strange white knights, and Veronica watched them warily.
• Brando led Qian toward the southern valley entrance, where a mist knight ambushed them with a spear.
• Brando pierced the incorporeal knight with the Sword of Earth, temporarily dispersing it and earning experience for repelling Mist Nightmare (partial).
• Otales identified the knight's familiar aura as belonging to the Saint Hydra, and Qian alerted Brando to more human-shaped figures appearing in the mist.

Brando encountered Anman and the Temple of Flames while trying to avoid Veronica, but she caught up and attacked him. Brando used a Fire Giant to escape, only for Anman to block his path with a Holy Word spell as Veronica recovered.

• Brando met Anman and the Temple of Flames knights in the fog, then told Anman he was Baron Fir of Tonigell and refused his invitation to travel together.
• Veronica burst from the forest and attacked Brando, stunning Anman and the knights with her sudden arrival.
• Brando blocked Veronica with stone spikes, then summoned a Fire Giant and ordered it to explode as he retreated.
• Anman cast Holy Word: Wall to block Brando's escape, and Veronica recovered from the blast and cut apart Brando's attempt to leap over the barrier.

Brando was cornered by Veronica and Anman, who sought to capture or kill him, until the Saint Hydra attacked and disrupted their confrontation. He used the chaos to escape while Veronica was forced to remain and fight the beast.

• Veronica attacked Brando, and Anman recognized him as someone who could use Heavenly Armament and prepared to kill him.
• Veronica stopped Anman's Holy Strike, while Anman revealed he intended to target Brando's companions; Brando charged him to prevent that.
• Anman teleported behind Brando and tried to bind him, but Brando summoned the Saint White Deer to intercept the spell.
• Qian warned them as the Saint Hydra emerged from the mist, struck Anman, and knocked a gray gemstone from his collar.
• The Saint Hydra attacked Anman and Veronica, allowing Brando to flee, while Veronica's attempt to pursue him was blocked by the beast's heads.

Brando fought Priest Amman while Veronica and the Sanctuary knights struggled to hold back the Misty Transformation Saint Hydra. After Amman threatened Brando’s companion, Brando broke free and grappled with him, leaving them in the Hydra’s path.

• Veronica failed to stop Brando and fought the Misty Transformation Saint Hydra while the Sanctuary knights protected Amman as he prepared a spell.
• Amman used Flame’s Prayer to pull Brando back, then blocked his attack and demanded the Sword of Earth and Brando’s help guiding Veronica as ransom.
• Amman threatened Brando’s hidden companion, prompting Brando to unleash Power Burst and wrench the Sword of Earth free.
• Brando charged through Amman’s Holy Strikes, then grappled with him to prevent him from casting spells.
• Veronica warned Amman as the Hydra overwhelmed the knights and swept toward them, and Amman realized Brando had dragged him into danger.

Brando and Aman were impaled by the Saint Hydra, but Brando injured the monster and escaped with Qian. Gravely wounded, he ordered her to take him to a supply point in the center of the Ring of Trade Winds, then lost consciousness as his Unyielding Talent ended.

• Brando dragged Aman into the Saint Hydra’s jaws, where its fangs pierced them both and Aman died.
• Brando stabbed the Saint Hydra with the Sword of Earth and blasted its throat with a Wind Bullet, then crashed into the forest.
• Qian found Brando alive and helped him flee; at his request, she picked up Aman’s gray gemstone.
• Brando drank the No. 21 Holy Water he and Qian carried, but his injuries remained critical.
• Brando told Qian to take him south to a supply point in the Ring of Trade Winds’ center and forbade her from returning for Media.
• Brando’s Unyielding Talent ran out as he closed his eyes.

After Brando killed Amman and was gravely wounded, Qian carried him to the Holy White Stone, where his condition worsened. Dreadlord Andessa arrived with Faina and recognized Qian as the Divine Envoy of Thunder, leaving Qian facing a dangerous enemy while Brando remained unconscious.

• Saint Hydra went berserk and slaughtered the reserve knights as Veronica realized Brando had killed Amman and that everyone who witnessed it would become an enemy of the Temple.
• Qian carried the unconscious Brando south through the Ancient Rift toward the Holy White Stone, while his heartbeat and aura grew weaker.
• Qian reached the white rock, stumbled, and placed Brando in its shelter before staying beside him without food or supplies.
• The next morning, Qian noticed magic power leaking from Brando and feared his condition was worsening.
• Dreadlord Andessa appeared carrying the unconscious Faina, and Qian recognized her as Tia’s killer.
• Andessa identified the scent of God's Blood on Qian and called her the Divine Envoy of Thunder.

Andessa captured Qian and tried to save Brando by implanting Darkness Blood, but the crystal reacted unexpectedly to the golden power in his body. Brando's repair process began as the valley filled with light.

• Qian dodged Andessa's vine attack, but Andessa bound her with vines when Qian tore one apart.
• Qian began attacking the God's Blood crystal in her heart, so Andessa threatened Brando and forced her to stop.
• Andessa recognized Brando and convinced Qian to cooperate by promising she could save him with Darkness Blood.
• Andessa plunged the Black Crystal into Brando's heart, and golden lines flowed from his body into the crystal.
• Andessa burned her hand trying to remove the crystal as it blazed with golden light, and Brando heard a system notification that Source Blood matched and the repair process had begun.