Chapter Summaries

Duke Morodian held the Parliament Building hostage and pressured Great Sage Isis to swear that she would let him leave and never attack him. As Isis prepared to answer, a gentle breeze stirred in the sealed hall.

• Bishop Yamiles refused to intervene in the Empire’s internal affairs, and the Mourning Bishop left Franklin Hall.
• Morodian threatened the people in the hall and demanded that Isis swear to let him escape and never attack him again.
• Isis struggled with Morodian’s terms while he began a countdown and Sigrid accepted that they could not defeat him without risking the hostages.
• As Morodian expected Isis to agree, a gentle breeze began to drift through the sealed parliamentary hall.

Loren’s wind magic shielded Parliament Hall and exposed Morodian’s plan, prompting Morodian to flee as Isis, Sigrid, Planai, and Sinora pursued him. With the nobles safe and the Bishop Election effectively decided in the Ba Tian Sect’s favor, Lanchi left Franklin Hall with Antanas as the Protos Empire faced a hopeful new era.

• Loren’s Holy Protection Wind shielded Parliament Hall, scattered the clouds over Helrom, and inspired cheers from the nobles and the city’s residents.
• Morodian panicked at Loren’s intervention, escaped through a window, and fled over Helrom.
• Isis and Sigrid pursued Morodian, while Planai and Sinora joined the chase after Lanchi’s signal.
• The Imperial Army evacuated the nobles, and the Bishop Election was effectively decided in favor of the Ba Tian Sect.
• Lanchi left Franklin Hall with Antanas after reflecting on the unexpected journey and the hall’s changed future.

After the Protos Bishop Election, Lanchi prepared to leave Helrom and return to the Southern Continent while planning how to protect Hughberlian and reunite the surviving members of the Great Demon Race. He and Planai discussed their journey and the unknown whereabouts of another demon general.

• Planai brought Lanchi Linden Flower Tea, guessed that he had been thinking about Talia and Sigrid, and explained how their expressions gave them away.
• Lanchi recalled that Duke Morodian had been executed, Sigrid was investigating matters in the north with Great Sage Isis, and High Priest Loren had become widely celebrated.
• Lanchi told Planai that they would soon return to the Southern Continent and asked him to protect Hughberlian at Cat Boss Restaurant.
• Lanchi planned to meet Hughberlian when she returned from the Aetherland Kingdom and travel with her and the others back to the Southern Continent.
• Lanchi and Planai discussed whether the seven members of the Great Demon Race might reunite, but Planai said Ice Almirs was unlikely to visit and the last member's identity remained unknown.

Chloris visited Lanchi after her release and thanked him for supporting her, while he told her he planned to retire and asked her to look after the Ba Tian Branch. The visit ended with news that Sigrid was waiting by the lake, and Lanchi hurried off to meet her.

• Chloris met with Lanchi and discussed her survival, the Emperor’s trust in him, and the conspiracy led by Duke Morodian and Askesang.
• Chloris thanked Lanchi for trusting her, and he clarified that he would soon become a Duchess and inherit House Berenhard.
• Lanchi said he planned to retire, proposed that the academy return to its former system, and asked Chloris to look after the Ba Tian Branch.
• Chloris told Lanchi that a light-haired girl was waiting for him by the lake and wanted him to dress casually and handsomely.
• Lanchi realized Sigrid was waiting for their date and hurried out of the office to meet her.

Lanqi and Sigrid went on a date through Helrom after Lanqi left the Principal’s Office, teasing each other about Sigrid’s Sid identity and Lanqi’s attention to other girls. The chapter ended as Sigrid discovered that Lanqi had planned their outing in a detailed travel guide.

• Lanqi told Planai that he and the others would leave the next day, then went to meet Sigrid by the lake.
• Sigrid warned Lanqi not to look at other girls, and the two walked together through campus until Antanas, Sinora, and Zestira passed them on a Fox Sledge and wished them a pleasant date.
• Lanqi and Sigrid left the academy for Helrom, where Sigrid asked how she looked and insisted that she was Sid, a nineteen-year-old second-year student.
• Sigrid corrected Lanqi when he congratulated her on approaching Tier 9, insisting that Sid was Tier 5, and told him he had lost favorability.
• Lanqi described their plans for the day and showed Sigrid his prepared Helrom travel guide, which made her laugh in exasperation.

Lanqi and Sigrid spent their date exploring Helrom, then visited the dangerous old district, where a magical teleportation sent them high above the city and into a free fall. At the lakeside, they faced Lanqi’s departure for the Southern Continent the next day, and Sigrid agreed to see him before he left so he could repay the painting he owed her.

• Lanqi and Sigrid dined at Helselen Restaurant, explored Helrom’s art district, and watched the Helrom Late Night Show.
• Sigrid took Lanqi to the old district and held his hand as they explored its strange streets and climbed toward an ancient tower.
• The district teleported Lanqi and Sigrid above the Starry Sky Theater, and Sigrid dragged him into a free fall while testing whether she could frighten him.
• Lanqi told Sigrid that he had been frightened when she and Askesang began their deadly battle, and they flew together to a lake by the Protos Royal Magic Academy.
• Lanqi told Sigrid he would leave for the Southern Continent the next afternoon and be gone for at least a year; she reluctantly accepted and arranged to meet him at the old place before his departure.

Lanchi visited Sigrid in Helrom to fulfill his promise and finish her painting before returning to the Southern Continent. After revealing his real name and inviting her to visit Ikelite, he received the Primordial Slab-Seal, but Sigrid fell asleep before he could leave, and an afternoon interview at her gallery threatened to delay him.

• Lanchi arrived at Sigrid's gallery with Cat Boss and told her his real name was Lanqi Wilford and that he lived in Royal Capital Ikelite.
• Lanchi invited Sigrid to visit Ikelite, and she asked to see his true appearance before judging him fairly.
• Sigrid gave Lanchi the Primordial Slab-Seal, explaining that she could hand it over now that they were alone and protected by barriers.
• Lanchi told Sigrid he planned to take Antanas and the others to Lilom City before sailing back to the Southern Continent.
• Sigrid said she had not agreed to let Lanchi leave but fell asleep from exhaustion, then reminded him that Helrom Broadcasting Company was scheduled to interview her at the gallery that afternoon.

Lanchi painted a portrait of Sigrid while she slept, and the artwork was revealed during a Helrom Broadcasting Company gallery tour. As the painting captivated people across Helrom, Lanchi and his companions continued toward the Magic Energy Rail Train to Lilom City.

• Lanchi quietly painted Sigrid as she slept in her gallery, then left with Cat Boss before she woke.
• Sigrid welcomed Gloria and Leola Franklin and led the Helrom Broadcasting Company crew on a tour of her gallery.
• Leola and the crew discovered Lanchi's portrait of Sigrid, an Epic artwork that could restore spirit and stamina and increase admiration for her.
• The portrait appeared on screens at Helrom South Station, where Antanas recognized Sigrid and guessed that Lanchi had painted it.
• Lanchi, Antanas, Sinora, and Planai headed for the train to Lilom City, and Lanchi mentioned another painting at home.

Rotten Decay Bishop Farmer delivered an alchemical creature to the Blood Race and discussed their plans to kill Duke Miss Hughberlian and break Duke Migaiya. In Helrom, Sigrid discovered that her Bishop's Certificate had changed into a dual seal, suggesting that Lanchi had unknowingly become a Cardinal Bishop, and decided to visit him when she could.

• Rotten Decay Bishop Farmer delivered a sealed test tube to Marquis Heliti'er and Somerset Marquis, who promised to make his Rotten Decay Branch part of the Krui Di Empire.
• Farmer asked why the Blood Race wanted Duke Miss Hughberlian dead, and Somerset explained that her death would help them break Duke Migaiya and claim his dark magic.
• Marquis Heliti'er asked Farmer about changes in the Rebirth Church, and he reported that a bishop on the Northern Continent seemed to have changed.
• Sigrid examined her Bishop's Certificate and found that its holy seal could split into a Silver Moon Crown and a Radiant Corona, with the latter identifying her as the Crazy Love Bishop.
• Sigrid realized that Lanchi's Saint Certificate - Ba Tian was gone and suspected that he had become a Cardinal Bishop after they defeated Askesang together.
• Sigrid decided to return the Bishop's Certificate to Lanchi on the Southern Continent when her duties in the Protos Empire allowed her to travel.

Lanchi and his companions arrived in the Royal Capital Ikelite after a long journey and traveled toward Cat Boss Restaurant, where Hughberlian hoped to reunite with Talia. The group admired the city’s peaceful streets, while Antanas teased Hughberlian about becoming a Duchess and supporting Lanchi.

• Lanchi welcomed the group at Iketerite Central Station and arranged to take them to their lodgings.
• The group rode through Ikelite, admiring its architecture and the Royal Botanical Garden.
• Sinora thanked Hughberlian for helping the travelers enter Hutton Kingdom as guests of her family.
• Antanas teased Hughberlian about becoming a Duchess and having Lanchi rely on her, leaving Hughberlian to reflect on her feelings toward him.
• Planai remarked on Ikelite’s orderly streets, and Cat Boss explained that residents had fed the Wild Wolves until they had stopped attacking people.

Lanchi, Hughberlian, Antanas, and Sinora rode through Ikelite while discussing sightseeing plans, recent attacks, and the threat of a Cardinal Bishop. The afternoon ended as their vehicle passed near Ikelite Academy.

• Antanas and Sinora invited Hughberlian to explore Ikelite with them, and Lanchi told them to restrain themselves if anyone bullied her.
• Lanchi read that the Destruction Branch's attack on the Goddess of Fate Church had failed after High Priest Loren appeared.
• Lanchi reported that a mysterious Cardinal Bishop was heading south, possibly toward the Hutton Kingdom or the Krui Di Empire.
• Lanchi reassured Hughberlian and told her that the failed attack had eased defense pressure, allowing events between eastern kingdoms to resume.
• Lanchi read news of Ikelite's summer festivals as the vehicle passed near Ikelite Academy.

Lanchi returned to Cat Boss Restaurant with Hughberlian and learned that Tata had gone to South Wantina Territory to see one of his paintings. Alarmed, he rushed home, leaving the story poised for trouble there.

• Hughberlian brought Lanchi and Cat Boss back to Cat Boss Restaurant, where Asina welcomed them and explained that she had been running the shop.
• Cat Boss learned that Tata had taken a few days off and gone toward South Wantina Territory to see Lanchi's painting, Poor and Impoverished Old Woman.
• Lanchi panicked when Asina said Tata had left four or five days earlier and declared that something was happening at home.
• Lanchi ran off with Cat Boss, and Hughberlian followed to help him.
• Antanas, Planai, and Sinora stayed at the restaurant, where Asina told them that Tata was doing well.

Lanchi brought Hughberlian to the Wilford Family estate in South Wantina Territory, where he learned that Tata had arrived before him. He rushed to his bedroom to hide a painting, but found Talia standing before it, and froze when she turned toward him.

• Lanchi and Hughberlian traveled by train to South Wantina Territory and rode to the Wilford Family estate.
• Hans welcomed them and told Lanchi that Tata had arrived for breakfast and was being shown around by Francine.
• Lanchi panicked and hurried upstairs, hoping to reach his bedroom before Tata and hide a painting.
• Lanchi opened his bedroom door and found Talia studying the portrait, then froze as she turned to face him.

Talia confronted Lanchi after discovering her portrait in his bedroom, and Hughberlian tried to protect him as the confrontation turned into a compromising pileup. Noe, Hans, and Francine walked in on them, leaving everyone inside mortified.

• Talia and Hughberlian saw Talia’s portrait hanging in Lanchi’s bedroom, and Hughberlian realized Lanchi had lied about who it depicted.
• Talia grabbed Lanchi and demanded to know whether the portrait was his early work, while Tata knocked him down and pinned him before he could explain.
• Hughberlian tried to make Tata release Lanchi, then squeezed between them and shielded him with her body.
• Noe, Hans, and Francine arrived at the bedroom doorway and found the three tangled together on the floor.
• Noe asked if they were playing a fighting game, and Hans shut the door while Talia and Hughberlian blushed in embarrassment.

After Talia caught Lanchi and Hughberlian in an intimate position, Hughberlian persuaded her to let Lanchi go and explain himself. Lanchi’s confession that he had been captivated by Talia softened her anger, but Hughberlian was left unsettled by the closeness she sensed between them.

• Hughberlian hugged Lanchi and begged Talia to give him a chance to explain.
• Talia released Lanchi, though she continued to look at him, demanding an answer.
• Talia asked whether Lanchi had always hated her, and Lanchi explained that he had been captivated by her beauty when he first saw her beneath the Gray Cloak.
• Talia softened and told Lanchi not to say such things again, hoping he would focus on Hughberlian.
• Hughberlian felt relieved by Talia’s calmer mood but became troubled by the intimacy she sensed between Talia and Lanchi.

After an awkward entanglement witnessed by Cat Boss, Lanchi, Hughberlian, and Talia decided where to stay in South Wantina Territory. Talia accepted Lanchi’s invitation to remain at the Wilford Family home, hoping to stop avoiding the complicated feelings between them.

• Lanchi asked Hughberlian and Talia to get off him, and the three separated before Cat Boss barked and fled after watching them.
• Talia suggested they go home, while Lanchi proposed staying in South Wantina Territory to rest; Hughberlian chose to stay at his house and Talia planned to stay at an inn.
• As Talia prepared to leave, she reflected on her regret over hurting Lanchi and her mistaken belief that he belonged only to her.
• Lanchi invited Talia to stay at his home, and Hughberlian worried that his closeness to Talia could bring trouble.
• Lanchi tempted Talia with the household’s food and desserts, and she remembered he had made the same offer a year earlier.
• Talia agreed to stay at the Wilford Family home, believing its residents would keep the day’s embarrassing events private.

In a hidden temple in the Nox Mountains, Salomon prepared the Destruction Branch’s plan to kill Duke Miss Hughberlian and warned the high priests to watch for a Cardinal Bishop from the Northern Continent. In Ikelite, Loren read a report claiming he had traveled to the Northern Continent and dismissed the rumor as ridiculous.

• Salomon told the high priests that Duke Miss Hughberlian had left the capital, allowing them to move their assassination plan forward near the Wilford Family estate.
• Salomon warned the high priests not to underestimate Loren after Phoenix’s failed attempt and defection.
• Salomon ordered the high priests to track the Northern Continent Cardinal Bishop and avoid provoking priests from unknown branches.
• Salomon directed the high priests to infiltrate the Wilford Family and pursue useful intelligence at any cost.
• Loren read a confidential report in Ikelite and found a rumor claiming that he had personally gone to the Northern Continent.

Loren learned that the new Cardinal Bishop was heading toward the Hutton Kingdom’s border and decided to investigate South Wantina with Ikelite’s cleric team. Before leaving, he asked Asina to help manage the Sage Institute and planned to visit the Lanqi Family while in the territory.

• Loren read a secret letter reporting that the new Cardinal Bishop was traveling south and might stop near the Hutton Kingdom’s border.
• Loren recalled his friendship with Mi Gaiya and prayed for his return, despite fearing the rumors that could arise from their association.
• Asina reported on the Sage Institute’s affairs and told Loren that three new employees had joined her master’s restaurant.
• Loren asked Asina to assist Vice Dean Ron while he was away and directed her to seek Professor Bora Ao’s approval when needed.
• Loren prepared to take Ikelite’s cleric investigation team to South Wantina and planned to visit the Lanqi Family.

At lunch at the Wilford Family residence, Noe tried to understand the awkward relationship between Lanchi, Tata, and Hughberlian after finding them tangled together that morning. Lanchi proposed taking both women to explore South Wantina, leaving Noe bewildered by his son’s innocent answer.

• Noe welcomed Tata and Hughberlian to the Wilford Family residence, and Lanchi hosted them through an elaborate lunch.
• After the meal, Tata said she would check Lanchi’s card-making progress and teach Hughberlian magic that afternoon.
• Noe’s puzzled thoughts about the three of them made Hughberlian blush and Tata clench her fist, while Lanchi stopped trying to order more snacks.
• Lanchi suggested that they explore South Wantina and set aside their lessons for a few days.
• When Noe asked whom he wanted to go with, Lanchi said he wanted to go with both Tata and Hughberlian, leaving Noe stunned.

Lanchi, Hughberlian, and Talia went for a walk together, and Hughberlian tentatively grew closer to Talia while working through her anxieties about their relationship. Lanchi offered to help Hughberlian find Mi Gaiya and Ifatia, and the outing ended with Talia openly admitting she worried about his safety.

• Lanchi led Hughberlian and Talia from the Wilford Family estate along Guardian's Path toward the eastern side of the city-state.
• Hughberlian wrestled with her fear of losing Talia's affection and uncertainty about acknowledging Talia as her aunt.
• Talia switched places with Hughberlian, and Hughberlian linked her arm through Talia's; Talia accepted the closeness.
• Lanchi reassured Hughberlian and promised to help her find Mr. Mi Gaiya and Miss Ifatia.
• Talia told Lanchi that safety came first, then firmly admitted she was worried about him when he asked.