Chapter Summaries

Shade used the Pepper Shaker and his Gluttony Rune to recreate part of the Lord of the Blood Feast’s power, devouring the Guardians’ corruption and ending their madness. After the cultists’ final sacrifice caused a massive explosion, Shade warned that an evil god was coming and said the feast needed five guests before the Chosen One Ritual could proceed.

• Shade consumed the seasoned bait, and the Lord of the Blood Feast asked whether it was enough; Shade answered that it was not.
• The Pepper Shaker shattered, and Shade’s Gluttony power spread a bloody mist and conjured a banquet that drew in the Guardians’ corruption and power.
• The Guardians awakened as their twelve clay avatars crumbled, while Luvia warned Siris that the danger had only begun.
• Weeper of Blood Hermons rushed toward the stone statue, which became blackened by mud and exploded as the cultists’ final sacrifice.
• The awakened Guardians shielded the clearing from the blast, and Iluna found Shade weakened beside the table.
• Shade told Iluna that the evil god was coming and that they needed five guests, including Luvia and the Church’s people, before the feast could continue.

Iluna used the Guardians’ Earth Power to unleash a devastating attack against the evil god’s Divine Advent Ritual, buying Shade time. As the ritual continued, Shade prepared for what he believed would happen next and called Grace and Helen to protect themselves and his allies.

• Cultists recovered three fragments from the destroyed statue and used them to complete Stone Osenfott’s statue, which opened its eyes as the priests prayed.
• Iluna rejected Shade’s attempt to intervene, drew on the Guardians’ Earth Power, and hurled a mountain-sized sphere of golden light at the distant mountains.
• Iluna’s attack created a vast explosion, dispersed some of the Earth Filth, and astonished observers across Randall River Valley.
• The Guardians told Shade that Iluna’s attack surpassed what they could achieve with Earth Power, though using it had drained her strength.
• Shade summoned Grace and Helen, learned they were relics blessed by the Old God Thousand-Eyed Phantom Butterfly, and gave them the Butterfly Summoning Flute to protect themselves and his allies.

Shade faced the evil god’s imminent arrival while the Orthodox Church prepared to summon the God of Sun and Earth. After returning the Heart of the Earth fragment to the Guardian, Shade walked into the petrifying forest to confront the approaching god, leaving the Witches to wait for him.

• Iluna’s attack destroyed the ritual altar and delayed the evil god’s descent, but the god still began to approach through the forest.
• The Guardian explained that the evil god could spread Twisted Earth’s petrifying influence across the western Old Continent.
• A beam of heavenly light and a hymn from the city revealed that the Church had begun summoning the God of Sun and Earth, though that god would arrive several minutes later.
• Shade returned the Heart of the Earth fragment to the Guardian and said he would attend the banquet afterward.
• Shade walked toward the evil god as golden cracks and embers spread across his body, while Luvia and the Witches bowed and promised to wait for him.

Shade burned his divinity and manifested as the ancient God of the Moon, then fought the Stone Heart Demon in the Material World. After Shade defeated the evil god, the God of Sun and Earth arrived, and the three gods walked toward the people as life returned to the scorched earth.

• Shade opened his eyes as the God of the Moon and challenged the Stone Heart Demon, which had possessed Haila Osenfott, to a wagered battle.
• Shade and the Stone Heart Demon clashed with their powers, and the Witches and Guardians protected the people from the shockwaves.
• Shade used the night as a curtain to strike the Stone Heart Demon from behind with Soul-Sucking Demon Blade, shattered the relic, and siphoned away its power.
• The God of Sun and Earth arrived and confirmed that Shade had won; the Stone Heart Demon gave up resistance.
• Shade, the God of Sun and Earth, and the defeated Stone Heart Demon descended together, while grass and flowers spread across the scorched earth.

The Guardians completed an ancient ritual that made them the Earth Mother God’s Chosen One, but the feast also manifested the earth’s madness. Shade sealed the madness in a Holy Grail and swallowed it, ending the crisis before departing into the night.

• Shade used his last Emperor's Banquet Copper Coin and ruby to create a feast, and the guests gathered around the table as the forest and its animals were restored.
• The Guardians swore to protect the land, and their Destiny Ring merged with the Holy Grail as the feast’s ritual spread the earth’s power across Randall River Valley.
• The ritual manifested Mad Earth as a black-mud figure in the twelfth seat, and Shade stopped the Guardians from seeking help.
• Shade drew the black-mud figure into the Flowering Holy Grail and drank the sludge, making the earth’s madness vanish for the time being.
• The gods departed, and Shade left as silver light while Siris Grand La Ses watched in despair.

After swallowing the earth’s distortion, Shade survived the divine descent but suffered severe injuries and was taken to Benanice Manor for treatment. He awoke the next morning, having gained the Stone Heart thaumaturgy, and reassured Luvia that he was fine.

• Luvia and Siris found the unconscious Shade, and the Witches treated him after he swallowed the source of the earth’s distortion.
• Miss Aurora said Shade was stable but badly injured, so Luvia, Siris, the Witches, and Sister Devlin returned through Miss Sylvia’s Teleportation Gate.
• Sister Devlin gave Luvia Shade’s Spring Flower keepsake before the group left the clearing.
• In a snowy dream, Shade learned he had gained the Stone Heart thaumaturgy and would need about a week to digest the distortion he had swallowed.
• Shade awoke at Benanice Manor on Sunday morning, and Luvia embraced him as Siris went to tell the others.
• Shade heard Luvia sobbing and told her he was fine.

After waking from the battle in Randall River Valley, Shade walked through the snowy manor grounds with Luvia and learned what had happened after the crisis. They ended their stroll sharing a quiet moment on a swing, with Shade promising they would keep walking together.

• Shade awoke at the manor and reunited with Luvia, while Siris examined him and Tifa arranged his breakfast.
• Shade and Luvia strolled through the snowy courtyard, where Luvia explained that the Guardians had become bound to Randall River Valley because the Heart of the Earth was damaged.
• Luvia told Shade that the Church had received an oracle to stop probing the God Summoner’s identity and that Iluna had discovered a concealed gold vein accessible with Lehmann’s key.
• Shade acknowledged that the Witches had likely identified him as the God Summoner and said their knowledge could help him gain influence over the Witch Council.
• Shade melted the snow from a courtyard swing and pushed Luvia on it, then promised they would continue walking together.

After the Chosen Ones of the Earth crisis ended, Shade and the others discussed their plans and celebrated together. The four Great Witches then asked Shade directly whether he had truly summoned a god.

• Siris and Tifa watched Shade and Luvia play in the snowy courtyard, and Tifa teased Siris about her feelings.
• At lunch, the women discussed their travel plans, and Luvia told Shade that Miss Danist would meet him that evening.
• Shade raised a toast to the end of the Chosen Ones of the Earth affair and said their story would continue as they protected the world.
• After lunch, the four Great Witches took Shade aside to discuss his identity while Luvia left for the Seer Association.
• Shade admitted that he was the person known as the God Summoner, and Miss Galina asked whether he had truly summoned a god.

Shade told the Witches that he could serve as a vessel for a god’s descent, and they agreed to protect the secret as the aftermath of the three gods’ appearance forced him to leave the area soon. Before their brief separation, the Witches gathered around him for an intimate farewell.

• Shade explained that he could serve as a vessel for a god and that only the Witches, Luvia, Iluna, and a few others knew the truth.
• Miss Sylvia warned that the secret was dangerous, while Shade said he trusted the Witches and wanted them to know.
• Miss Benanis planned to have those who witnessed the truth sign soul contracts, and Miss Aurora described the upheaval caused by the gods’ descent.
• Shade said he would leave after handling some remaining matters, and the Witches agreed to avoid contacting one another for now.
• Miss Aurora, Miss Sylvia, Miss Benanis, and the other Witches drew Shade into an intimate farewell while Mia watched from the tea table.

Shade returned home after the events in Randall River Valley, reunited with Dorothy and Leisha, and revealed the new ability of his Cinderella Mystic Lock. He then examined the Stone Mirror Demon’s remains and found three golden Demon Coins among its contents.

• Shade returned to 6 Saint Derain Square, where Dorothy welcomed him and told him Priest Augustus had visited to check on him.
• Shade confirmed that Luvia and the Doctor were safe, and Leisha asked whether he and Dorothy could help him in the future.
• Shade invited Leisha and Dorothy on a spring outing, then learned Dorothy had arranged research that afternoon and agreed to spend the night with her.
• Shade explained that his Cinderella Mystic Lock let him leave a Crystal Shoe behind and return home, and he demonstrated the ability by vanishing and reappearing inside the house.
• Shade went to the basement and searched the cracked Stone Mirror containing the Stone Mirror Demon-Goth’s spoils, discovering three golden Demon Coins.

Shade examined the rewards from the Demon and his other gains from the Randall River Valley adventure, choosing how to store or use each item. He kept the Philosopher's Stone for future emergencies, gave Mia her fifth ring, and held onto the Mithril Cube as he prepared to deal with the aftermath of the incident.

• Shade gave Mia the Elixir of Longevity Ring to wear, making it her fifth ring while noting that using its powers would erode emotions.
• Shade sampled the God of Wine Bottle and stored it in the basement, then put the dangerous Malbas Demon Book away to consult the Doctor.
• Shade placed the Eternal Fire in the lamp meant to collect unusual flames for Sister Devlin.
• Shade mounted the Philosopher's Stone in a silver pendant and kept it for future use.
• Shade stored Fiona's white glove and the Spring Flower petal among his keepsakes, then decided to keep the Mithril Cube with him for the Randall River Valley aftermath.

After the disaster in Randall River Valley, Shade met with Ms. Handel and Doctor Schneider, then arranged to visit Father Murphy with the doctor. He later reunited with Sister Devlin at the Forgotten Church and learned that her eye mask had been damaged in a battle against Hermons and the cultists’ statues.

• Shade met Ms. Handel, Doctor Schneider, and Joey Barton at the Bountiful Earth Inn, where Ms. Handel said she and Joey would leave Randall River Valley.
• Joey warned Shade that death was growing stronger in the Material World despite the apparent victory, and Shade gave Ms. Handel a generous wallet before she departed with Joey.
• Shade lent Doctor Schneider the Malbas Demon Book and arranged to visit Bishop Morpheus with him on Wednesday.
• Shade returned to the Forgotten Church and found Sister Devlin’s silver eye mask chipped and cracked.
• Sister Devlin explained that the mask was damaged during her confrontation with Hermons, Professor Danist, the Winter Singer, and the cultists’ statues early Saturday morning.

Shade gave Sister Devlin Mithril and the remains of Stone Mirror Demon-Goth so she could repair her eyepatch, and helped her handle the Eternal Fire. He and Iluna learned why the Blood Spirit School had come to the city before joining Sister Devlin at the Heart of the Earth, where the Guardians showed them new cracks in the central rock.

• Shade gave Sister Devlin a piece of Mithril to repair her damaged eyepatch and handed her the remains of Stone Mirror Demon-Goth and the Eternal Fire.
• Iluna arrived, and she told Shade that the Blood Spirit School had sought firsthand material about transforming non-life into life.
• Sister Devlin revealed that part of Hermons's body was mechanical, including brass structures replacing the bones in one arm.
• Shade, Iluna, and Sister Devlin traveled through Butterfly Cemetery to the Heart of the Earth, where Shade learned that the Guardians had promised to aid the Church only in a world-threatening crisis.
• The Guardians welcomed the group and granted Sister Devlin access to the Heart of the Earth, then explained that the cracks in the central rock were the earth's scars.

Shade allied with the Guardian of the Earth after learning that the world’s distortion could return, then brought him to Benanice Manor to meet Luvia. Later, Shade went to visit Miss Danist, carrying a gift prepared by Tifa, and interrupted the peaceful study gathering of the Sorceress and an Elf Girl.

• The Guardian warned Shade that Mad Earth, fossil creatures, and earthquakes could recur as the world entered a turbulent period.
• Shade proposed an alliance with the Guardian on behalf of himself, Luvia Annette, Iluna Bayes, and Sister Devlin, and the Guardian agreed to follow their arrangements when the legendary door appeared.
• The Guardian gave Shade a stone that could permanently establish a door to the Heart of the Earth Furnace at a suitable location.
• Shade brought the Guardian, Iluna, and Sister Devlin to Benanice Manor, where they met Luvia while Shade informed Tifa about the Guardian.
• Tifa gave Shade a gift box prepared by Luvia for his visit to Miss Danist, and Shade arrived at the professors’ residence to find the Sorceress speaking with an Elf Girl beside a Unicorn.

Shade explained to Miss Danist that his urgent search for Emilia had been preparation for a Time Key involving the founding of Saint Byron's, while concealing some details. He left with a report to write, a Thaumaturgy assignment still unfinished, and Miss Danist reassured by his claim that he walked Mia on a leash.

• Miss Danist told Shade that Emilia and the professors would return to Saint Byron's the next day, and Emilia admitted she would submit a private self-criticism.
• Shade gave Miss Danist a gift and explained that he had sought Emilia because of a Time Key connected to Fiona Drago's journey to secure the future site of Saint Byron's.
• Miss Danist asked Shade to submit a report about the Time Key and learned that he had advanced to the sixth ring with the Spirit Rune Enlightenment—Shadow.
• Miss Danist gave Shade until the end of the month to learn Moon's Dream and asked whether he would return with the professors, but he declined.
• Miss Danist asked whether Shade walked Mia, and Shade claimed he used a leash and sometimes a bell, reassuring her about her divination.

Shade reassured Luvia that the effects of devouring the earth’s distortions would be minor, and Luvia returned to Tobesk after her work in Randall River Valley. Hoping to surprise Shade at home, she found Princess Angelina and several maids in his house instead.

• Miss Danist advised Shade not to let romance distract him from his future, and Shade said he understood.
• Shade said goodbye to Emilia, who promised to keep searching for the Hidden Wall and bring him more Ancient Elvish poems.
• Luvia confronted Shade about the danger of his condition, and he promised the effects would be minor as Her had devoured the distortions.
• Luvia left Randall River Valley and returned to Tobesk, where the Seer Association gave her two days off.
• Luvia went to Shade’s house to surprise him, but found Princess Angelina, maids, and several pairs of unfamiliar shoes inside.

Luvia returned to Shade’s home and surprised him by waking him beside Leisha, then shared breakfast with the princesses before leaving. Shade drew an ordinary law book from God’s Gift Box and traveled to Randall River Valley’s cemetery, where a coachman described the earthquake’s heavy death toll.

• Luvia entered Shade’s bedroom, woke him with a kiss, and startled him and Leisha while Angelina watched from the doorway.
• Luvia, Leisha, Angelina, and the maids shared breakfast, where Luvia showed off her Unicorn-hair White Hairband and Leisha discussed her relationship with Shade.
• Leisha and Angelina left by carriage for Galina Manor, and Leisha promised to take her younger sister to see a Unicorn someday.
• Shade received a copy of the Dellaireon Kingdom Great Charter from God’s Gift Box and read the weekly task attached to it.
• Shade traveled to the Public Cemetery, where his coachman said the earthquake had killed more than five thousand people in Randall River Valley and an entire family of his old neighbors.

Shade attended Siris’s father’s funeral, transformed Mr. Lathers’s statue into a corpse, and used Breath of Time to mummify it before the burial. As the funeral began, Thomas Granger arrived and sat beside Shade.

• Shade arrived at the cemetery and comforted Siris before the funeral.
• Shade learned that Margaret had altered Mr. Lathers’s records and that Miss Benanis had prepared the coffin with a gravity rune.
• Shade used Active Mud to turn Mr. Lathers’s statue into a corpse, and Siris placed her ring in his hands before saying goodbye.
• Shade used Breath of Time to preserve the body as a mummy, with the Elixir of Longevity Ring offsetting the spell’s lifespan cost.
• Siris delivered her eulogy at the church, and Shade prepared to give one of his own.
• Thomas Granger arrived and sat beside Shade.

After Weilon Lathers’s funeral, Shade reassured Siris that those she remembered would always remain with her. He then met the Guardians, who asked about a way to treat the Petrification Plague and sludge-contaminated Ring Arcanists, and Shade explained his Active Mud thaumaturgy.

• Shade and the others buried Weilon Lathers, then said farewell as the Church prepared to intensify its investigation in Randall River Valley.
• Shade exchanged farewells with the young ladies, and Siris told him she understood her father’s choice before they promised to remember one another.
• Shade met the Guardians in the cemetery, where the Guardians said the Church needed a scalable treatment for the Petrification Plague and sludge contamination.
• Shade explained that he could cure petrification with Active Mud but lacked the power to treat the whole city and did not want to reveal himself.
• Shade described Active Mud to the Guardians and realized that it was not an Earth Power they could learn or use.

Shade and the Guardian enchanted Shade’s Earth Runestone to help treat the Petrification Plague, and Shade delivered it to Iluna, who shared news of the church’s plans and her return to Tobesk. After dinner with Luvia, Shade went to the Wilde Opera House for Miss Benanis’s private performance and waited for her to finish preparing.

• Shade and the Guardian turned the Earth Runestone into an Alchemy Item that could restore petrified body parts for two weeks.
• Shade met Iluna near the Sun and Earth Church and gave her the runestone; she told him one Holy Grail of Conservation remained and that she would return to Tobesk with the Saint Perry’s Sun Holy Emblem.
• Iluna planned to return to Tobesk by the weekend and promised to visit Shade and Luvia to discuss their gains.
• Shade had dinner with Luvia at the Golden October Restaurant, and she said she would wait for him at home after the performance.
• Shade arrived early at the Wilde Opera House, where Siris told him Miss Benanis was still applying makeup and asked him to wait in the hall.