Chapter Summaries

Evan, Jerros, and Stephanie reached the Golden Kingdom and were welcomed by Vinia, whom Evan had met years earlier. Vinia guided them into the hidden city, where they settled in before an anticipated audience with the goddesses.

• Vinia explained that she had borrowed the Sky Goddess's authority to part the clouds, then greeted Evan as an old acquaintance.
• Vinia said Ocean Goddess Tethys had invited them to visit, and she guided the Theseus through a whirlpool, fog, and a winding route to the Golden Kingdom.
• Evan and his companions arrived at the island city and climbed to it across bridges formed from the mist.
• Evan saw that the Golden Kingdom was home to many kinds of demi-humans and monsters, and noticed that its residents used modern clothing and firearms.
• Vinia arranged temporary lodging for Evan, Jerros, and Stephanie, then answered Evan's question about meeting the goddesses with a mysterious smile.

Evan harvested fourth-tier Essence Fruits, explored the Golden Kingdom, and gathered genetic material from its Divine Descendants. He completed a divine lance and named it Golden Holy Lance · Longinus.

• Jerros took six ripe Essence Fruits and left the rest to Evan, who absorbed one and improved his physical attributes.
• Evan used an electromagnetic wave to observe the Golden Kingdom’s people and learned that its small population consisted of powerful Divine Descendants descended from Ancient Deities.
• Evan found signs of Divinity Creature-level beings in the city, then sent a merchant avatar to sell goods at the Night Market while secretly collecting residents’ hair.
• Evan used the collected biological material and his Golden Lock Chain to form a long, double-helix lance.
• Evan completed the weapon near midnight and named it Golden Holy Lance · Longinus.

Evan met the Sky Goddess Kurutena in his dream, where she explained how epochal changes reshaped the world and why technological power mattered. She left him with a promise of a mysterious gift, while the deeper purpose of the Shattered Star Sea remnants remained tied to the upheavals ahead.

• Evan dreamed of absurd scenes before Kurutena appeared in her Mythical Form and startled him into playing dead.
• Kurutena revealed that her display had been a prank and greeted Evan, who welcomed her into his dream.
• Evan and Kurutena discussed his rule over the northern New Continent and the upheaval spreading across the Old Continent.
• Evan warned Kurutena against copying the Tulip Nations' political and economic systems without the conditions that supported them.
• Kurutena explained that epochal changes came from shifts in the Spirit World, which caused the World Consciousness to reject remnants of past eras.
• Kurutena told Evan she would give him a mysterious gift before they parted.

Evan awoke aboard the Theseus after leaving the Golden Kingdom and reflected on the Ancient Gods, the Remnant Race, and the danger of the coming Era Cataclysm. He found the Oath Imprisoning Lock gifted to him by the Sky Goddess Kurutena, while Anita’s group faced Yeher and Mairo over a Spirit Origin overflow.

• Anita challenged Yeher and Mairo for the Spirit Origin in the Cloud Sea Secret Realm as their forces gathered for battle.
• Anita unleashed her Dragon Slaying Swordsmanship as Yeher and Mairo prepared to respond, and the cloud clusters began contracting toward the center.
• Evan awoke aboard the Theseus, which was sailing east along the southern edge of the Star Shattering Archipelago, and confirmed that the Golden Kingdom had been real.
• Evan considered why the Ancient Gods were collecting the Remnant Race’s fingernails and wondered what would happen when his own epoch ended.
• Evan discovered the golden Oath Imprisoning Lock that the Sky Goddess Kurutena had given him.

Yeher joined the Ancient Gods’ Cabral alliance as its leaders gathered to establish a new order across the southern continent and take advantage of Sirius’s decline. Meanwhile, the Theseus neared the point where it could reconnect to the spirit world and return to the duchy.

• Yeher arrived in Kamsid and reflected on how demigod blood had strengthened her as she headed toward the Order of Mist’s cathedral.
• Yeher observed that followers of several Ancient Gods had established themselves in Cabral and entered the cathedral to meet the region’s leaders.
• Yeher joined Lavigne, Chak, Poisonous Bee, Yellen, and Bradley at a gathering of powerful factions aligned with the Ancient Gods.
• Bradley declared that the alliance would give Cabral and the southern continent a new order as Sirius’s long reign approached its end.
• The Theseus sailed out of the Shattered Star Sea and neared a place where it could reconnect to the spirit world for its return voyage.

After returning to White Swan Castle, Evan blessed Apusuya and Milan's newborn son Abel, then learned how much his companions had grown stronger during a Spirit Overflow. He tested the Golden Holy Lance Longinus with Angie and entrusted it to her, before hearing that Lady Crow Yeher had attacked Mairo and deciding whom to bind with the Oath Imprisoning Lock.

• Evan blessed Apusuya and Milan's newborn son Abel in a ceremony that impressed their household and relatives.
• Evan examined his returning companions and saw that Sera, Nymph, Sister, Olivia, and Angie had all benefited greatly from the Spirit Overflow.
• Evan and Angie tested Longinus in the Sorcery Garden and discovered that the manifested holy lance could not be copied beyond a critical point.
• Evan entrusted Longinus to Angie so she could continue developing the Golden Chain for her advancement to High-Ranking Wizard.
• Angie told Evan that Lady Crow Yeher had seriously injured Mairo with a surprise attack in the Cloud Sea Secret Realm, and Evan chose a target for the Oath Imprisoning Lock.

Evan handled the duchy's backlog and considered how to prepare for a future shaped by science before Olivia summoned him to the master bedroom, hoping they would have a child. Meanwhile, Mairo struggled with a mysterious infection after her battle with Yeher and realized that she was truly sick.

• Evan worked through the duchy's documents and planned to prepare for advanced technology by establishing higher learning institutions.
• When no one answered his bell, Evan started to leave the study, but Olivia teleported him to the master bedroom.
• Olivia told Evan she wanted a baby, and the two began trying to conceive.
• Mairo lay ill in her underwater palace and blamed Yeher for their recent battle over a Spirit Origin.
• Mairo found that a thin green line was spreading toward her heart and realized she had become sick.

Evan led a team to capture Mairo, the Mother of Water, at her seabed secret realm. After Angie and the Sea Soul broke through its barrier, Mairo fled, and Evan struck her down and tried to bind her.

• Evan gathered his team and attacked Mairo's secret realm after learning she had remained inside since Yeher's ambush.
• Evan sent Pipi to batter the barrier, then Anita ordered the Sea Soul to bombard it with water cannons, but it quickly repaired itself.
• Angie used Longinus to break the barrier and detonated deep-water bombs, destroying the secret realm's defenses and damaging its palace complex.
• Mairo fled from the ruins, but Evan struck her with lightning, pursued her in his half-dragon form, and threw the Oath Imprisoning Lock at her.

Evan defeated and captured the weakened Mother of Water, Mairo, after her attempt to overwhelm him with her Childbearing Authority produced hundreds of copies of him instead. He then discovered that Yeher’s disease had infected Mairo’s followers, while the northern continent and its rising powers were already under close watch.

• Mairo’s illness worsened, but she transformed into a hybrid sea creature and attacked Evan with high-temperature shockwaves.
• Evan cut through Mairo’s attack and limbs as Anita joined the fight, leaving Mairo to use Gaze and Impregnate on him.
• Mairo’s ability caused Evan to split into 256 copies, and she surrendered after her power ran out.
• The Prison Lock of Oath captured Mairo, who emerged with its mark and became Evan’s subordinate.
• Evan’s group found the mermaids, shaman faction, and Totem Gods infected by Yeher’s disease, including Natapiye.
• Evan noted the Thunderbird Clan’s migration and the growing influence of Avaanka, while the Mind Network monitored the north and a watcher prepared to act.

Yeher discovered that Mother of Water had been taken from her hidden realm, while Evan learned of Yeher’s suspected plans and prepared to migrate Sera and her two disciples onto the Tree of Life Path. The chapter ended as Sera, Clarissa, and Leonora arrived ready for the ritual.

• Yeher arrived at Santa Monica Bay with her Shaman Wizards, but learned that Mother of Water’s hidden realm had been breached and emptied.
• Yeher blamed the Garratt Duchy and threatened to act when the south rose in revolt.
• Evan received reports of Yeher’s movements and resolved to strengthen the Duchy’s plans in the south.
• Evan revealed that Mairo had been cured and ordered her to protect ordinary people and meet a higher population-growth target.
• Evan welcomed Sera, Clarissa, and Leonora to Poseidia City to begin their Path Migration Ritual onto the Tree of Life School.

Sera and her disciples completed Path Migration into the Tree of Life School, gaining new powers and transforming their bodies. Leonora became an eight-tentacled Octopus Girl, and Evan tried to comfort her with a magical frog before a witch in the Turin Grand Library wondered where her knife was.

• Evan and Angie helped Sera, Clarissa, and Leonora perform the Chimera Ritual, revealing the witches’ Gate of Truth and its Tree of Life foundation.
• Sera, Clarissa, and Leonora accepted the Tree of Life and absorbed its seeds, advancing their ranks and establishing new trees in the Source of Mysticism.
• Sera transformed into a dark-green snake-tailed form, Clarissa took her centaur form, and Leonora’s defect was repaired, turning her into an eight-tentacled Octopus Girl.
• Evan offered Leonora a prophetic one-eyed frog taken from Baba Yaga, but she became upset at its appearance and turned herself into a Little Toad.
• A woman reading in the Turin Grand Library closed her book and wondered where her knife was.

Evan investigated why the Mind Network’s Seagull Spirits were being thwarted in the south and learned that the Curse School was countering their reconnaissance. He introduced Sera and her students to two plans for creating extraordinary species, including Faceless Men, and left the projects awaiting Olivia and Angie’s advancement.

• Leonora used the One-Eyed Frog to confirm that Seagull Spirits were being destroyed in restricted zones, and Evan ordered Bess to stop sending them there and watch major transportation routes.
• Sera judged that the Death Messenger had likely taken a new patron’s side as the Lowland Republic gained the advantage over Sirius.
• Evan explained that Sera was transforming into a second Original Species through the Blood of the Creator, while her Petrification Serpent path limited her abilities compared with his own.
• Evan showed Sera and her students two Creation Engineering blueprints: one for inheritable werewolves and one for Faceless Men bred to excel as agents.
• Evan planned to begin the two projects after Olivia and Angie reached the third tier, then deploy the resulting creatures wherever they were needed.

Evan negotiated with the Kingfisher Lady over compensation for witches who had joined his Duchy, then tried to recruit the Gate of Truth witches to relocate under his protection. Meanwhile, two wizards from the Elemental Breathing School fled a terrifying creature on the battlefield, identifying it as a servant of an evil god.

• Evan asked Livina to recruit more immigrants, spread enticing claims about the Duchy, and select elite intelligence personnel, while she reported that the Red Maple Leaf Academy Alliance would visit the New Continent.
• Evan reviewed promotions and resource allocations for Gary, "Ironbone" William, Robert, and Navigator Molly while Magistrate Olivia prepared for her Third-Order ritual.
• The Kingfisher Lady appeared at White Swan Castle and confronted Evan about taking Sera and Clarissa from the Gate of Truth, then demanded a bride price.
• Evan proposed offering the witches legal identities, salaries, paid leave, and protection in the Duchy, and began recruiting them to help build Garratt National University.
• Two Great Wizards from Flame Dragon Curse Seal and Hurricane Nest fled across the battlefield as a small, mummified creature pursued them, and they recognized it as Quache Utaus, the Withered Tomb Dust Treader serving the evil God of Funerals.

Evan and his allies worried as the Black Wing God gathered Evil Gods, but Olivia completed her promotion in the Crystal Cave and became a High-Ranking Wizard. The group then held Angie’s promotion ritual, leaving the duchy with three new High-Ranking Wizards and six powerful Extraordinary Persons overall.

• Milan voiced alarm about the Black Wing God recruiting Evil Gods, while Sera said the school would send scholars to help and Milan’s Tarot reading predicted good fortune.
• Olivia passed the World Origin’s test, solidified the Gem School’s Source of Mysticism through Artificial Gemstone Technology, and became the High-Ranking Wizard Olivia Garratt, the Bountiful Traveler Clad in Moonlight.
• Olivia gained Moonstone: Soul Return and True Sight Magic Eye, while Kishuya Bain sensed that the position of Chief had shifted.
• The group traveled to Heymar and held Angie’s promotion ritual in a barren wasteland, with the Golden Chain and the World’s Favor supporting her advancement.
• The duchy’s strength rose to one Titled Knight and five Great Wizards: Evan, Sera, Angie, Olivia, and Nymph.

Three months after their promotions, Evan and Olivia tested the strength of Angie and Lily while discussing their new abilities and the duchy’s growing influence. Angie then rushed to help allies facing a powerful evil spirit, as the chapter left the duchy prospering through trade and awaiting a turn in the War of Independence.

• Angie fought Lily to a draw above the clouds before Evan and Olivia called them back for tea.
• Olivia explained that Lily was a sword-wielding creation born from the crown she imbued with her and Evan’s spirituality.
• The chapter described Angie’s Perfect Creature ability, which let her become a Perfect Angel or transform herself into a holy lance, and noted that Milan still needed to witness a major historical turning point to advance.
• Angie sensed a powerful evil spirit hundreds of kilometers away, and Evan hurled her toward it after she transformed into a holy lance.
• The duchy’s trained Skin-Wearing People began moving south while Evan profited from selling weapons to both sides of the Lowland Republic conflict.

A Tulip commerce-raiding fleet ambushed a Sirius convoy in the Eritrea Sea and captured much of its merchant shipping. After the battle, Irant and his captain saw newly launched Clipper Ships arrive, signaling a major advance in maritime speed.

• The Sirius fleet carried spices across the Eritrea Sea while Negrito laborers worked under the Santa Babia Company's harsh rule.
• A Tulip fleet of Garratt-class Heavy Cruisers attacked the Sirius convoy and opened a naval battle.
• A Tulip major led the boarding assault, and after two hours the fleet had seized roughly half the Sirius merchant ships that had not escaped.
• Irant rested after fighting, treasured the amulet Irina had given him, and drank rum with his captain.
• The captain watched three Clipper Ships arrive and remarked that their speed could make even Heavy Cruisers obsolete.

Fleck infiltrated the Order of Mist as a Faceless Man and escaped Kamsid City with intelligence about a planned operation in the Laplata Viceroyalty. Meanwhile, Evan and Olivia tested their new electrical technology, and Evan ordered further investigation after learning the mission had to be ready by May 1st.

• Fleck used his Disguise ability to evade the Order of Mist pursuers, boarded a merchant ship, and sent his intelligence once he reached the Mind Network's range.
• Evan and Olivia flew an electrically powered aircraft between their connected Sorcery Gardens using a Magneto-Europe Stone imitation.
• Olivia's True Sight Magic Eye helped her become Chief of the Gem School and identify natural elements, giving Evan hope for future advances in chemistry and industry.
• Beth relayed intelligence that the Order of Mist's initial infiltration mission would target the Laplata Viceroyalty and had to be completed before May 1st, Sea Origin Calendar 191?.
• Evan suspected a major operation would take place within three months and ordered further investigation.

Evan and Olivia completed the duchy’s population replacement and prepared a government supervised by the Mountain Eagle, while the Tulip Alliance’s rulers assessed mounting signs of a global war. The chapter ended with Livina declaring that the coming battle would decide whether Tulip could replace Sirius.

• Mairo reported that the duchy had finished replacing its Anuma population, and Evan instructed her to prioritize childbirth among Atelian and Nimanster people, especially those of mixed ancestry.
• Olivia’s ancient clay flute awakened as the Mountain Eagle, a Death God Messenger and Land Guardian Spirit that Evan planned to use to oversee the duchy’s government and institutions.
• Evan, Livina, and Magnus III examined intelligence showing that the forces of the ancient gods were preparing operations against Cabral, La Plata, and the Mirong Viceroyalty.
• Magnus III and Livina reported growing threats to Sirius’s colonies, including the Sark Empire’s designs on Lobito and rising tensions in the Peacock Islands as Sirius’s First Fleet and Legendary Battleship disappeared.
• Livina pointed to the Peacock Islands and said the coming battle would determine whether Tulip could replace Sirius and vindicate the Maritime Royal Authority.

Milan prepared for the coming war while the Death Messenger, Diana, and the Sark Empire took advantage of Sirius’s weakening position. Alone in the Domed Palace, Philip II reassured himself that Sirius would win, but the Peacock Automaton Clock’s head fell off as it chimed.

• Milan demonstrated his Black Steel revolvers and told Evan that the coming battle could bring Tulip to power and offer Milan a chance to advance.
• The Death Messenger used the Golden Olive Triple Crown’s power to feed the Black Orlov curse and sought to turn Sirius’s collapse into a National Fortune Curse.
• Diana learned that His Majesty had agreed to send the Legendary Battleship Crimson Dawn to help Prince Clement seize Lobito for their son.
• The ambitious Sark Empire pursued Sirius’s northern and southern territories as the Anti-Sirius Alliance weakened.
• Philip II reviewed Sirius’s fleets, Legendary Battleships, Titled Knights, and wizard allies before the Peacock Automaton Clock’s head fell to the floor.

The Eye of Wealth launched uprisings across Sirius’s New Continent territories and secretly sabotaged the fleet assembling to attack Frisia. Meanwhile, Evan brought the Alliance fleet to the Peacock Islands, where the Tulip Nations prepared to fight Sirius in an open war.

• Profane Cultists and other factions began coordinated attacks across Montevideo and the Chaotic Region, while Sirius assembled a large fleet to sail against Frisia.
• Corruption Cultists used the Tinderbox to infiltrate Valencia Harbor and set fire to Sirius’s warships, causing a gunpowder magazine to explode.
• Saint William Orange revealed that the Eye of Wealth had used purchased treasures, bribery, and hired ships to sabotage Sirius’s fleet and prepare a counterattack.
• Evan joined Livina’s forces at the Peacock Islands with several companions, leaving Hecy, Angie, and Mairo to hold the fort.
• Evan used Dreamscape Cruise · Global Blitz to teleport the Alliance fleet to the Andaman Strait, as war spread across the world.