Chapter Summaries

Lanchi prepared to leave Jerusalem for the Demon Realm to find Hughberlian and seek negotiations with the Great Demon Race. Before departing, he arranged for a trusted subordinate to impersonate him and launched the Shallem Plan as a deception to make the Honing Empire suspect the Plant Empire was developing a secret weapon.

• Lanchi decided to leave Jerusalem the next morning and travel through the Land of Eternal Night to the Demon Realm, where he would find Hughberlian and seek negotiations.
• Lanchi showed Cat Boss the Transformation Art: Human card he had made so a trusted subordinate could impersonate him while he was away.
• Cat Boss reviewed the Plant Empire's worsening situation and worried that Lanchi's planned three-to-four-week absence would leave Loren under pressure.
• Lanchi explained that the Shallem Plan would use the army and magical engineers to make southern spies believe the Plant Empire was developing a secret weapon.
• Lanchi planned to cross the Land of Eternal Night with Cat Boss after his secretary found them a Snowy Plains Driver.

Lanchi prepared to travel through the Land of Eternal Night to the Demon Realm and met Sigrid, the young guide hired to escort him. After confirming her ability and honesty, he agreed to her terms, and they prepared to set out.

• Lanchi waited with Cat Boss at a discreet departure point while the secretary arranged the final details of their journey.
• The secretary introduced Sigrid, a young but powerful guide familiar with the Land of Eternal Night, and Lanchi questioned whether she was experienced enough.
• Sigrid took offense at Lanchi's doubts and started to leave, but Lanchi asked to hire her after recognizing her confidence and abilities.
• After learning that Lanchi's destination was the Demon Realm, Sigrid agreed to escort him through the Land of Eternal Night but refused responsibility for him after they arrived.
• Sigrid promised to protect Lanchi even at risk to herself, and they prepared to depart once the final precautions were settled.

Lanchi arranged to travel to the Northern Border under another identity, taking a job repairing statues in six orc city-states so he could win their support and warn them of the Honing Empire's plans. After reaching the snowy plains with Sigrid, he asked her to find a spacious inn and buy ingredients so he could cook.

• Lanchi's secretary briefed Sigrid on the dangerous route through the Land of Eternal Night and gave her a Red Book of instructions for protecting him.
• Lanchi planned to repair statues for six orc city-states and use the journey to inform their Great Lords that the Honing Empire intended to attack.
• Sigrid muttered that the escort job was a hassle, and Lanchi told the secretary not to make things difficult for her.
• Lanchi and Sigrid traveled by flying dragon to the northern border, rented Snowy Plains Underworld Deer, and continued by sleigh across the snowy plains.
• Lanchi asked Sigrid to find a spacious inn and buy ingredients for him to cook at their stop that night.

Lanchi traveled across the snowy plains with Sigrid, learning about her interests, her need to return to Jerusalem early, and her abilities as a guide and protector. Sigrid agreed to try to get him back sooner, while warning that she might charge extra if he caused trouble.

• Sigrid asked Lanchi about his wealth and work, and he told her he was a painter who also knew sculpture and landscape design.
• Sigrid misread a painting of demons celebrating in hell as children around a bonfire, and Lanchi explained what it depicted.
• Sigrid asked to return to Jerusalem before the four-week deadline, and Lanchi said he would try because he also wanted to go back sooner.
• Sigrid secretly drank Goat Milk Wine while driving, but stopped after Lanchi lectured her about drinking as a minor.
• Sigrid told Lanchi she could get him away safely unless they encountered a very strong Tier 6, and said she understood public relations in lawless territories.
• Sigrid warned Lanchi not to cause trouble and said she might charge extra or refuse to intervene, depending on her mood.

Sigrid brought Lanchi to Small Stone City, where she warned him about possible vampire activity on the snowy plains and the dangers of the route ahead. Lanchi praised her analysis, and they reached the Snow Bear Hotel before their planned meeting with the Great Lord and repair of the city’s deity statue.

• Sigrid delivered Lanchi and their luggage to Small Stone City after traveling through the darkness and snow.
• Sigrid warned Lanchi that vampires might be moving toward the snowy plains as part of an invasion of the Plant Empire.
• Lanchi praised Sigrid’s political analysis and said she was more insightful than the noble lords in the Assembly.
• Sigrid warned Lanchi to stay by her side and not go off alone once they traveled farther into the Land of Eternal Night.
• Lanchi and Sigrid rode through Small Stone City and arrived at the Snow Bear Hotel.

Lanchi and Sigrid checked into the Snow Bear Hotel in Small Stone City, where he gave her a shopping list and money for supplies. Before she left for the market, Lanchi warned her to be careful at the next morning’s restoration ceremony, but their exchange left Sigrid annoyed with him.

• Sigrid and Lanchi checked into a two-bedroom suite at the Snow Bear Hotel, and Sigrid carried their luggage upstairs while Lanchi waited in the lobby.
• Lanchi thanked Sigrid for carrying the bags, gave her a shopping list and local currency, and told her to buy food and other necessities.
• Lanchi cautioned Sigrid to show respect when they met the Great Lord and other dignitaries at the restoration ceremony the next morning.
• Sigrid refused Lanchi’s offer to teach her proper etiquette and said she would avoid speaking at the ceremony.
• Sigrid suspected Lanchi had steered her toward that answer, became angry, and left the hotel alone for the market.

Lanchi and Sigrid settled into their suite in Small Stone City, where Cat Boss cooked them dinner before Sigrid warned Lanchi about the risks of repairing the Beastmen’s sacred statue. In the Real World, Sigrid woke from a dream of traveling with the Holy Son and looked forward to visiting the Wilford family during her coming holiday.

• Lanchi showed Sigrid their suite, introduced her to Cat Boss, and left the cat to prepare dinner.
• Cat Boss cooked a lavish meal, and Lanchi encouraged Sigrid to eat her fill.
• Sigrid warned Lanchi that a poor repair of the statue could provoke the people of Small Stone City, and offered to protect him for a fee.
• Sigrid went to bed, while Lanchi adjusted the shopping list to buy more ingredients for the next day.
• In the Real World, Sigrid woke from a dream of being a child traveling with the Holy Son and recalled how he had tricked her into promising to behave during the restoration ceremony.
• Sigrid thought about her upcoming holiday and the gifts and marriage amulet she had obtained from the Goddess of Fate Church for a visit to the Wilford family.

Lanchi arrived at the Temple of Rock in Small Stone City to begin restoring the God of Rock and Shelter Statue, while the gathered orcs welcomed him as a celebrated artisan from the Plant Empire. Sigrid doubted his ability to repair the Sacred-grade statue, and the chapter ended before he began the work.

• Orcs gathered at the Temple of Rock as Great Lord Algom and Priestess Ilena prepared for the statue restoration ceremony.
• Lanchi entered the temple, greeted Great Lord Algom, and met the attending priestesses, nobles, and merchant Sebastian.
• Great Lord Algom presented Lanchi to the crowd as a court artisan whose skills were vouched for by the Plant Empire's prime minister, prompting cheers from the orcs.
• Sigrid inspected the statue's Sacred-grade properties and worried that Lanchi might damage it, while hoping he could complete the job.

Lanchi restored the God of Rock and Shelter Statue in the beastmen temple, earning the Bear Orcs’ admiration and changing Sigrid’s impression of him. The successful restoration left the statue displaying its Divine quality, while Saibas planned to report Lanchi to Earl Gregory after he departed.

• Lanchi entered the temple barrier and began restoring the statue as Saibas questioned his identity and Great Lord Algom defended him.
• Lanchi carefully repaired the statue, and the Bear Orc priests’ doubts gave way to astonishment as its former splendor returned.
• Sigrid watched Lanchi work, revised her impression of him, and left the temple to wait outside.
• Great Lord Algom praised Lanchi’s craftsmanship while Saibas concealed his suspicions and decided to inform Earl Gregory.
• Lanchi finished restoring the statue, and the Bear Orcs celebrated as its Divine quality and magical benefits became apparent.

Lanchi repaired the God of Rock and Shelter Statue and earned Great Lord Algom’s gratitude and friendship before leaving Small Stone City with Sigrid. Their conversation about her gambling left Sigrid quietly considering his advice as they continued toward the next city-state.

• Lanchi explained how he repaired the statue, and Great Lord Algom thanked him and promised the Bear Orcs would help him whenever he needed it.
• Lanchi and Great Lord Algom discussed faith and craftsmanship until dawn, then Algom gave Lanchi a Commemorative Badge as they parted.
• Lanchi changed back into his Protos Empire clothes and found Sigrid playing cards with young beastfolk delinquents outside the temple.
• As they walked toward the Post Station, Lanchi told Sigrid that she could choose whether to improve herself, and she hurried after him in silence.

Lanchi and Sigrid rested in Little Night City after Lanchi repaired the final statue of the God of Night and Silence, preparing to travel on to the Demon Realm. As Sigrid woke from an exhausted nap, Lanchi told her lunch would soon be ready.

• Lanchi silenced Cat Boss while it reported that Sigrid was worried about news from the front line in the neighboring Bliss Kingdom.
• Lanchi and Sigrid took a break in Little Night City after completing the statue repairs across the six prosperous city-states, with the Demon Realm as their next destination.
• Cat Boss asked Lanchi about reincarnation, and Lanchi explained that whether it existed depended on one's beliefs and outlook.
• Sigrid woke and apologized for falling asleep, and Lanchi told her the food would be ready soon.

Lanchi helped Sigrid write a heartfelt letter to her younger siblings while they waited out the snow in Little Night City. The chapter left Sigrid writing with growing confidence as Cat Boss reflected that Lanchi seemed well as long as he did not have an episode.

• Lanchi reassured the sleepy Sigrid that Little Night City was safe, and she fell asleep at the table.
• After lunch, Sigrid prepared to write one last letter to her younger siblings before entering the Demon Realm.
• Lanchi encouraged Sigrid to express her feelings rather than worry about perfect writing, and he taught her unfamiliar characters.
• Sigrid wrote that she missed her siblings and wished they could see the beautiful scenery she encountered.
• Cat Boss watched Lanchi help Sigrid and thought he seemed almost normal as long as he did not have an episode.

Lanchi and Sigrid mailed her letter in Little Night City, then continued by sleigh across the snowy plains toward the Demon Realm. As they traveled through the night, Sigrid praised Lanchi for using his courage and skills to change people’s hearts, while Lanchi urged her to return safely to the city.

• Lanchi finished helping Sigrid write a letter, and they walked to Little Night City’s historic mailing building.
• Sigrid filled out the mailing form, then she and Lanchi headed to the post station to retrieve their sleigh and Underworld Deer.
• Lanchi recited a poem about a thorn-covered throne as they traveled for hours across the snowy plains toward the Demon Realm.
• Lanchi estimated that dawn was still two or three hours away and told Sigrid to return to Little Night City and rest after reaching the border.
• Sigrid told Lanchi he was amazing because he had used his efforts to improve the beastfolk lords’ regard for humans.

On the sleigh ride toward the Demon Realm, Lanchi asked Sigrid about her birthday wish before she warned that she would leave him at their destination. Their journey was interrupted when Earl Gregory ambushed them on the Eternal Night Snowy Plains, leaving them trapped before a powerful Blood Race Earl.

• Lanchi realized it might be Sigrid's birthday and asked what she wished for.
• Sigrid wished that no one else would be like her and that everyone could live prosperous, carefree lives, then reminded Lanchi she would accompany him only as far as the Demon Realm.
• Sigrid spotted danger, seized Lanchi, and leapt from the sleigh just before the nether deer were killed.
• Earl Gregory emerged through the snow and revealed that he had tracked the pair, while Sigrid prepared to face him.

Lanchi refused to let Sigrid sacrifice herself to Earl Gregory, who had trapped them and revealed his role in destroying the wolf race. Gregory prepared to attack them both as Lanchi stood his ground beside Sigrid.

• Sigrid's wolf ears appeared beneath the moonlight, and Earl Gregory recognized her as the wolf survivor he had been hunting.
• Earl Gregory trapped Lanchi and Sigrid in a blood-magic cage, demanded that Lanchi hand Sigrid over, and recounted his part in the wolf race's destruction.
• Gregory taunted Sigrid about her parents and threatened to kill Lanchi unless she chose to die alone or with him.
• Sigrid said goodbye to Lanchi and walked toward Gregory, intending to protect him by giving herself up.
• Lanchi grabbed Sigrid's hand, pulled her back, and told her not to compromise with criminals.
• Earl Gregory grew hostile and concentrated blood magic around them as he prepared to attack.

Lanchi rescued Sigrid from Earl Gregory’s deadly attack by summoning Radiant Virtue, a little sun whose light weakened the Blood Race Earl. With Gregory screaming beneath its radiance, Sigrid wondered if the sun and the person who brought it to her were real.

• Earl Gregory refused to wait any longer for Lanchi to join the Blood Race and unleashed a deadly spell against Lanchi and Sigrid.
• As the blood-colored magic descended, Sigrid took Lanchi’s hand and accepted that they would die together.
• Lanchi summoned the Roar of the Storm Dragon, which shattered Earl Gregory’s spells and hurled him into the sky.
• Lanchi summoned Radiant Virtue, flooding the snowfield with sunlight and weakening Earl Gregory’s power to one-tenth.
• Lanchi covered Sigrid’s eyes and joked about the Blood Race’s unhealthy sleep schedule while Gregory screamed in the light.

Lanchi illuminated the Land of Eternal Night with sunlight to celebrate Sigrid’s birthday and weaken Earl Gregory. With Poet of Great Love’s song and Lanchi’s boxing lessons, Sigrid battered Gregory and struck his neck.

• Lanchi gave Sigrid sunglasses and revealed a sunlit, moonlit snowy landscape as her birthday gift.
• Sigrid attacked the blinded and weakened Earl Gregory, landing repeated punches.
• Lanchi had Poet of Great Love play “Hymn to the Moon Goddess,” whose Demonic Voice strengthened Sigrid.
• Lanchi taught Sigrid Lan Fist Style while she fought Gregory.
• Sigrid dodged Gregory’s claws and drove a punch into his neck.

Lanchi and Sigrid overwhelmed Earl Gregory beneath a conjured sun, then Lanchi prepared to drain the Blood Race Earl’s blood before the sun vanished. The chapter left Gregory pinned down and facing Lanchi’s oversized syringe.

• Sigrid battered Earl Gregory with a relentless series of attacks while Lanchi used spells to draw his aggro and force him to kneel.
• Lanchi recalled Poet of Great Love to conserve mana, while Sigrid continued beating Gregory and even knocked him briefly awake with her new technique, “Brain Reboot.”
• Lanchi told Sigrid to stop attacking once Gregory could no longer move, explaining that the blows could not truly kill a member of the Blood Race.
• Lanchi brought out a gigantic Blood Pressure Resuscitator and explained that draining Gregory’s blood would weaken him more effectively than Sealing Art.
• Lanchi handed the syringe to Sigrid and prepared to begin his team’s treatment before withdrawing the sun.

Lanchi and Sigrid weakened Earl Gregory by drawing his blood, but a Demon Realm patrol arrived and ordered them to release him. The chapter ended with Sigrid facing the elite soldiers, outnumbered and exhausted.

• Lanchi taught Sigrid to draw blood from Earl Gregory’s artery while Radiant Virtue weakened him in the sunlight.
• Sigrid repeatedly pulled blood from Gregory, draining his mana as Lanchi planned to make it into blood curd for hotpot.
• Gregory warned that the demons would arrive, and an elite patrol on bone wyverns surrounded the snowfield.
• The patrol officer Luka introduced himself and assessed the scene while Sigrid prepared to defend herself.
• Gregory claimed protection under the North-South Treaty and demanded the demons drive the humans away.
• Luka ordered Lanchi and Sigrid to leave Gregory, and the demon soldiers prepared to fight when Sigrid remained alert.

Lanchi refused to abandon Sigrid when the Demon Realm officer moved to capture her and revealed a powerful Great Demon Race form, forcing the demons to recognize his authority. Sigrid held onto him as he claimed Earl Gregory as his spoils of war.

• Lieutenant Colonel Luka Zhongxiao invoked the North-South Treaty and ordered Sigrid to surrender while allowing Lanchi to leave.
• Earl Gregory urged the demons to capture Sigrid and threatened to kill her and everyone connected to her.
• Lanchi reassured Sigrid and refused to leave her behind, prompting the Demon Realm troops to prepare to stop him.
• Lanchi revealed a radiant demonic form whose aura made the soldiers drop their weapons and kneel.
• Lanchi declared the matter an internal Demon Race affair and claimed Earl Gregory as his spoils of war, and Luka Zhongxiao accepted his authority.
• Sigrid clutched Lanchi's coat, trusting him to protect her.