Chapter Summaries

Colonel Robert led three thousand soldiers on a carefully prepared march to ambush the white-skinned folks’ gemstone convoy. The chapter ended as the escort heard an incoming shell and veterans hit the ground.

• Robert prepared the operation by surveying the route, arranging supply points, and training his soldiers while Count Little Jefferies watched skeptically.
• Robert led three thousand soldiers by ship up the inland river, then marched overland toward the designated battlefield.
• Robert warned his staff not to underestimate the disciplined white-skinned troops escorting the gemstone shipment.
• The gemstone convoy set out as usual with four or five hundred guards, unaware of any nearby threat.
• The escort heard a shell whistle through the air, and experienced veterans threw themselves to the ground.

Colonel Robert’s First Guards Brigade captured a gemstone convoy and attacked Gemstone Mine, destroying its equipment before withdrawing with gemstones, prisoners, and their dead. The mine was left in ruins as reinforcements from Gemstone Port arrived too late to stop them.

• The First Guards Brigade used artillery and gunfire to defeat the Red-coated Soldiers escorting the cargo, then captured the gemstones and prisoners.
• Colonel Robert led the brigade toward Gemstone Mine while the mine chief sent enslaved workers to the front as cannon fodder.
• The brigade bombarded and stormed the mine, destroying equipment and taking what it could carry.
• Colonel Robert ordered an orderly withdrawal when the allotted time was up, and the brigade left before reinforcements arrived.

Colonel Robert returned victorious to the colony, while Derek oversaw the completion of the Northern Duchy’s first railway and the delivery of its Type One locomotive. The chapter left Derek and his wife waiting to test the train after deciding its carriages needed further improvements.

• Red-coated soldiers blamed the Southern Nobles for the raid and destroyed a nearby Black Slave Tribe settlement after capturing several of its members.
• Colonel Robert returned to the colony, where Count Little Jefferies and other local leaders celebrated the First Guards Brigade’s victory.
• Abraham attended the banquet with Brack and became more convinced that he was pursuing the right path for the Booker Tribe.
• Colonel Robert asked Count Little Jefferies to arrange craftsmen to make a gemstone gift for the Duke and Duchess.
• Derek watched workers finish a railway from Swan Castle toward Pulan City as steel output in the Northern Duchy continued to rise.
• Technicians presented Derek with the Type One locomotive and three carriages, but Derek and his wife left the train without testing it and planned further carriage modifications.

The Northern Duchy tested its new train and began using it for passengers and freight while planning a railway between Pulan City, Augusta City, and Digen Port. In Swan Castle, Derek settled a dispute over education funding by approving both a comprehensive institution and church schools.

• Technicians and Augusta Knight Order guards tested the train, which reached the outskirts of Pulan City in forty minutes and completed a round trip in an hour and a half.
• Derek received the technicians’ report and required further safety tests before he and Tiona could use the train.
• The Northern Duchy extended the railway from Pulan City toward Augusta City and Digen Port, while trains began carrying goods and the Duke and Duchess made several trips.
• Archbishop John argued for church schools and a church institution of higher learning, while financial officials warned that the budget was already overextended.
• Derek decided that the ducal residence would fund a comprehensive institution in Pulan City and a separate church college, along with church schools.

Derek named the new university Hadley University in honor of Archbishop John, then agreed to gather both families at Swan Castle for the New Year. Tiona continued strengthening Qin’s family ties and received a ruby-studded gift from the First Guards Brigade, which reaffirmed its loyalty to the duke and duchess.

• Derek chose the name Hadley University, and Archbishop John accepted the honor.
• Tiona proposed a New Year gathering at Swan Castle, and Derek agreed to invite relatives from both sides of the family.
• Tiona planned to strengthen Qin’s bonds with relatives who held influence across the duchy.
• An envoy from overseas delivered Tiona a ruby-studded box and relayed Colonel Robert’s message that the First Guards Brigade would remain loyal to Derek and Tiona.

The Duke and Duchess received lavish gifts from the First Guard Infantry Brigade, prompting discussion of Colonel Robert’s merits and Virut’s return. Virut and his knights rode south through the snow toward Swan Castle, while a grateful merchant caravan wished the Duke and Duchy well.

• Colonel Robert’s envoy presented Derek with a ruby-encrusted cane and Tiona with a jeweled circlet, which she happily tried on.
• Tiona praised the gifts and asked Colonel Robert to remember Qin with a small gift next time, while the envoy worried about the omission.
• Derek and Tiona agreed that the First Guards Brigade’s record had silenced critics and that Colonel Robert’s promotion should be considered.
• Derek ordered Virut to return from Yanle Mountain Fortress now that the Duchy was stable and the earlier scandal had faded.
• Virut’s cavalry met a Guli Merchant Association caravan, learned they were near the Jefferies Family’s new territory, and continued toward Swan Castle.
• The caravan’s Steward watched the knights ride away and voiced his gratitude and hopes for the Duke and the Duchy.

Virut returned to the Northern Duchy after more than a year away, and Derek welcomed him warmly and assigned him a role in the coming army reforms. After starting as Derek’s personal guard, Virut traveled to Pulan City to receive the Ferrera Family, and news of his return spread among the nobles.

• Virut marveled at the train on his way to Swan Castle and hurried to meet Derek.
• Derek welcomed Virut, shared a meal with him, and asked him to form the Duchy’s First Infantry Division after the New Year.
• Derek told Virut to watch over their former comrades during the army reforms and deal leniently with anyone causing trouble.
• Virut began serving as Derek’s personal guard and spoke with the Duchess.
• Derek sent Virut to Pulan City to receive the Ferrera Family, where Virut visited old acquaintances as he waited.
• News of Virut’s return spread through noble circles.

Virut welcomed Baron Ferrera and his family on the duke’s behalf, then escorted them aboard a lavish train bound for the duke. Baron Ferrera was awed by the train’s luxury and fresh winter fruit, but grew concerned about Derek’s extravagance.

• Virut greeted Baron Ferrera and escorted him and his family toward the station.
• Baron Ferrera asked about Virut’s return and Derek’s plans for him, and Virut avoided revealing anything beyond what he was allowed to say.
• Virut showed the Ferrera family the train, and Baron Ferrera and the Baroness boarded despite their initial unease.
• The family was astonished by the train’s silver decorations, fur-lined floors, and fresh fruit.
• Baron Ferrera tasted a grape and decided he needed to speak with Derek about his apparent excess.

Baron Ferrera visited Derek at Swan Castle and warned him that his extravagance could lead to ruin. Derek explained that the apparent luxuries came from cheap resources, profitable experiments, and strategic intimidation, and promised he would stay vigilant.

• Baron Ferrera and his family traveled to Swan Castle in lavish comfort and were met by Derek, Tiona, and Sheriff.
• Derek showed his family the castle’s luxuries, including its warmth, armor, animal-powered lift, and extravagant dining hall.
• After dinner, Baron Ferrera told Derek the story of an indulgent monarch whose excesses brought down his kingdom and family.
• Derek agreed that he needed people to warn him when he made mistakes.
• Derek explained that the ornaments and food were inexpensive or experimental resources and that grandeur could intimidate enemies.
• Derek told Baron Ferrera that his hardships and experiences had taught him not to be led astray.

Derek resumed governing after the New Year and pushed railway construction while confronting the soaring cost of the duchy's new ironclads. He ordered the creation of separate army and navy ministries, as a new railway advanced at the cost of thousands of black slaves' lives.

• Derek reviewed the report that the railway between Augusta City and Pulan City was complete, and urged officials to finish the Augusta City–Digen Port line by midyear using the new slave-transport fleet.
• The new naval shipyard director told Derek that ironclad construction had exceeded its budget, and Derek approved more funds while ordering an investigation into possible embezzlement.
• Derek ordered officials to prepare the Ministry of Navy and the Ministry of Army so the military branches would manage their own budgets.
• Railway officials divided the new route into sections and drove tens of thousands of black slaves to work around the clock under armed guard.
• Officials hanged workers and surveyors for construction errors, and troops crushed several slave riots with collective executions as deaths continued along the railway.

The first thousand-ton Ironclad completed its trials, while a Railway Department official ordered a hundred black slaves buried alive after a riot at the construction site. In Pulan City, Derek awarded the first Ironclad to Captain Lawrence and warned the navy factions against lobbying and faction-building.

• The shipyard group visited the railway construction site, where a riot broke out and soldiers quickly subdued the participants.
• A Railway Department official ordered the rioters buried alive, and the shipyard group watched as the black slaves filled in the pit.
• Captain Lawrence and representatives from navy factions gathered in Pulan City to lobby for the first Ironclad.
• Derek learned that Captain Lawrence had refrained from pulling strings and awarded him the first Ironclad.
• Derek prioritized regular navy forces for Ironclads, assigned the first batch of Ironclad cargo ships to auxiliary forces, and warned against faction-building.

Derek appointed Lawrence the first commander of the Ganard Naval Command and urged him to use the Duchy’s Ironclads to control key sea routes and expand its influence. Inspired by Derek’s vision of a world-spanning empire, Lawrence set out for the Military Shipyard.

• The shipyard delegation returned home after the Duke warned them to work properly and avoid arrogance and impatience.
• Derek praised Lawrence and appointed him commander of the Ganard Naval Command, promising him additional Ironclads.
• Lawrence said the command should protect the New Continent colonies, but Derek challenged him to think more ambitiously.
• Derek described plans to use naval superiority to control sea routes, collect tolls, and expand the Duchy’s power across the world.
• Derek promised Lawrence that he might one day become a Duke, and Lawrence left for the Military Shipyard.

Lawrence handed over the ironclad Imperial and gave the Military Shipyard a voucher for five hundred black slaves, winning the workers' favor. He then set out with the reorganized Ganard Naval Command, intending to seize Gemstone Port from the white-skinned colonists.

• Lawrence completed Imperial's handover and, after it sailed from the harbor, gave the shipyard a voucher for five hundred black slaves at cost.
• The Factory Director accepted the voucher and promised to assign the slaves as a benefit according to the workers' contributions.
• A shipyard worker vowed to work hard on the Ganard Navy's ironclads, and the Factory Director sent everyone back to work.
• Aboard Imperial, Lawrence admired its armor and guns and decided to attack the white-skinned colonists first.
• Lawrence led the Ganard Naval Command's fleet toward Gemstone Port, which he had chosen as its base and planned to take back.
• As Lawrence's fleet passed the White Sand Archipelago, the local disputes and resource conflicts stopped.

Lawrence took the first Ironclad to the White Sand Archipelago, where the Northern Duchy's display of naval power changed the balance among the competing forces before his fleet continued toward the New Continent. There, Gemstone Port's leaders prepared to investigate and counter the Northern Duchy, while Count Little Jefferies worried that foreign scouts and ships threatened his growing colony.

• Lawrence made the Imperial his flagship and led the Northern Duchy's fleet on a show of force around the White Sand Archipelago before continuing south.
• General Amanda learned that the Northern Duchy had attacked Gemstone Port's transport convoys and ordered warships to investigate its territory and military strength.
• General Amanda planned to report to the council and request more manpower for Gemstone Port.
• Count Little Jefferies expanded settlements around the Gold and Silver Mine, promoted immigration and local production, and enacted laws to protect and breed black slaves.
• Count Little Jefferies grew increasingly uneasy as White-skinned folks scouts and reconnaissance ships appeared near the colony's coastline.

The United Kingdom fleet destroyed the fort guarding the Northern Duchy's colony and advanced upriver toward the Ganard Silver Mine. Lawrence received Count Little Jefferies's plea for help and hurried toward Ganard, hoping to arrive before the colony fell.

• Count Little Jefferies sent for reinforcements as the United Kingdom fleet threatened the colony, while Captain George reported another warship lost.
• The United Kingdom fleet tested the river-mouth fort with a probing bombardment, then blockaded the coast as Baron Kallen celebrated the Northern Duchy's troubles.
• General Amanda led a fleet of more than fifty warships to the colony and ordered the fort destroyed.
• The United Kingdom fleet entered the river and advanced toward the Ganard Silver Mine, prompting Brack to withdraw miners and the First Guard Infantry Brigade to prepare inland defenses.
• Lawrence received Count Little Jefferies's letter while resupplying and hurried toward Ganard, fearing the colony would fall before he arrived.

Lawrence led the Northern Duchy fleet toward the colony as United Kingdom patrol ships tried to stop it at the estuary. After a fierce clash, the patrol ships withdrew, and Lawrence ordered the fleet to leave its damaged ships behind and block the river mouth.

• Southern Alliance ships fled from United Kingdom patrol ships, then spotted the Northern Duchy fleet approaching from the north.
• The southern captain identified the Two-Headed Dragon Banner and blue dragon banner, and followed the fleet from a distance to watch the coming battle.
• Lawrence ignored the southern ship pursuing him and continued toward the colony, while the United Kingdom patrol ships alerted General Amanda to the approaching fleet.
• Amanda ordered his fleet to break out of the inland river after learning it might be trapped, as the patrol ships charged the Northern Duchy fleet.
• Lawrence's fleet suffered damage in the close-range battle but sank most of the patrol ships, and he ordered his ships to block the estuary while the damaged vessels repaired in place.

Lawrence led the Imperial ahead of his fleet and blocked the United Kingdom ships trying to leave the inland river. After reinforcements joined the battle, the trapped fleet suffered heavy losses and broke into a rout.

• Lawrence guessed that the enemy had sent its main force up the inland river and ordered his fleet to hurry toward the river mouth.
• Lawrence drove the Imperial ahead of the fleet and ordered it to block the United Kingdom ships emerging from the river.
• Lawrence turned the Imperial broadside and fired its cannons as the two sides began exchanging fire.
• General Amanda ordered his ships to attack the Imperial, but the United Kingdom fleet remained trapped at the river mouth as Ganard reinforcements arrived.
• United Kingdom ships sank, sailors fled or surrendered, and the fleet routed after its losses broke morale.

Lawrence defeated the Ganard Naval Command fleet, established plans for a naval base, and captured Gemstone Port for the Northern Duchy. He secured the port’s defenses and sent reports requesting reinforcements and supplies.

• Lawrence ordered his fleet to seize the defeated ships, guard prisoners, and rescue sailors after the naval battle.
• Colonel Robert’s First Guard Infantry Brigade captured sailors who had fled ashore, and Lawrence announced the establishment of the Ganard Naval Command to colonial leaders.
• Lawrence and Count Little Jefferies compromised on using inland rivers and sea routes to supply the planned naval base at Gemstone Port.
• Lawrence sailed south and captured Gemstone Port by sending warships into the harbor under their original flags, then taking the fort and city.
• Lawrence left the gem mines untouched, secured the port’s defenses, and wrote reports requesting reinforcements, weapons, and equipment.

Gemstone Port was secured and preparations began to expand its waterways, while the completed railway fueled the duchy's growth and spread cheap manufactured goods into neighboring markets. In the Holy Cross Kingdom, imported cloth undercut farmers’ handmade goods, leaving a farmer forced to sell at a loss and uncertain how his family would survive.

• The Navy took control of Gemstone Port, sent captured White-skinned folks to the gemstone mines, and began construction of wharves and waterways.
• The Railway Department completed the railway linking Digen Port, Augusta City, and Pulan City, and the Duke rewarded its officials before assigning them more railway projects.
• Cheap goods from the Northern Duchy entered foreign markets, while the Holy Cross Kingdom’s nobles profited from trade and ignored growing shortages among ordinary people.
• A farmer found that imported cloth was cheaper and finer than his handmade cloth, and the shopkeeper offered him a price below his costs.
• The farmer agreed to sell at a loss but wondered how his family would manage afterward.

Viscount Barin arrived in Connor Family territory with a shipment of Northern Duchy goods and gave Knight Kane an ornate pistol while bringing weapons for his father. He left Kane accepting the gift and discussing the rifles and cannons Barin had purchased for the family.

• A struggling farmer sold his family's handwoven cloth at a loss as rising grain prices and foreign goods worsened the smallholders' hardship.
• Viscount Barin crossed into Connor Family territory openly with a large shipment, welcomed by Knight Kane and no longer treated as an overlooked young master.
• Barin presented Knight Kane with an ornate gold-and-silver pistol, and Kane accepted it despite recognizing its great value.
• Barin told Kane that five hundred rifles and two Infantry Cannons were for his father and urged Kane to accept additional goods as complimentary gifts.