Chapter Summaries

Viscount Barin returned to the Connor Family castle, where he discussed the Northern Duchy’s growing power and the family fleet’s prospects with Earl Connor. Earl Connor explained why Virut had earned the Northern Duke’s trust, then turned to settle accounts with Barin.

• Viscount Barin gave gifts to his siblings and presented Corison with a firearm, while both brothers maintained a show of affection.
• Viscount Barin told Earl Connor that the family fleet was profiting from booming maritime trade and described the Northern Duchy’s expanding commerce and military.
• Earl Connor explained that Virut’s battlefield service and loyalty, rather than political speculation, had earned him the Northern Duke’s trust and command of the First Infantry Division.
• Earl Connor said that trust and the people’s support were the true foundations of power, then asked Viscount Barin to settle the accounts.

Earl Connor accepted his growing dependence on the Northern Duchy’s wealth and bought modern weapons for the Connor Family while asking whether the Duke planned to go to war. At Swan Castle, Derek ordered the First Division to defend the railway and set an ambitious schedule for expanding the Duchy’s army.

• Viscount Barin reported that the Connor Family had earned fifty thousand gold coins in a month, and Earl Connor recognized that he had tilted toward the Northern Duchy.
• Barin told Earl Connor that he had obtained five hundred Type Zero Rifles, two infantry cannons, and two hundred shells, and Earl Connor approved the purchase.
• Earl Connor asked whether the Northern Duke intended to wage war, but Barin admitted that he could not predict Derek’s target.
• Virut urged Derek to let the First Division practice against the Barbarians, but Derek ordered the division to take over defenses along the Pulan City—Augusta City—Digen Port railway.
• Derek instructed Virut to form the Second and Third Infantry Divisions and establish frameworks for six infantry divisions by the Duchy’s fourth anniversary and ten Standing Divisions and five Garrison Divisions by the middle of the next year.

Derek delayed war until his forces were ready, gave Lawrence broad authority in the New Continent, and ordered limited shipyard support while protecting the Duchy’s naval technology. He then visited the newly opened Hadley University and found its chemistry lecture overwhelming.

• Derek told Virut that the Duchy would wait to fight until it could conquer its enemies decisively.
• After receiving Lawrence’s report of a battle and losses in the New Continent, Derek trusted him to handle the situation as he saw fit.
• Derek ordered the Military Shipyard to send craftsmen and engineers for warship maintenance, and the Factory Director agreed to send a limited group.
• Derek toured Hadley University, considered the purpose of its schools, and attended a chemistry class.
• Derek struggled to follow the chemistry lecture and admitted that academic research was beyond his abilities.

Derek reviewed Hadley University’s influence and the duchy’s finances while approving the formation of the Second Division. Dagu took command of its First Brigade and marched toward Walter in Melgen Province.

• Derek listened as Hadley University students debated whether the Northern Duchy’s future army should rely on firearms or knights, and he approved of the university’s cultural influence.
• Derek told Lawrence that New Continent projects had to raise part of their own funding, with the duchy subsidizing the rest.
• Derek approved Virut’s plan to form the Second Division using a core regiment from the First Division and a Guards Infantry regiment.
• Dagu completed a three-month course and became commander of the Second Division’s First Brigade, which initially had two battalions and junior officers.
• Dagu received supplies and orders to march with his brigade to Walter, the provincial capital and site of Melgen Province’s recruit training camp.

Dagu took command of a growing brigade as the Northern Duchy expanded its army, while reinforcements and new industry supported the colony on the New Continent. The chapter left Lawrence at Gemstone Port, where the arrival of immense new artillery promised to strengthen the fleet’s defenses.

• Dagu refused invitations from Walter’s Barbarian merchants, then received one thousand trained recruits for the First Brigade of the Second Division.
• The Northern Duchy continued expanding and equipping new military units according to its buildup plan.
• Lawrence received engineers and craftsmen at Gemstone Port to establish a warship maintenance base, while specialists and equipment went on to support development around Gold Mountain Town.
• Lawrence escorted a shipment of heavy artillery to Gemstone Port, where engineers replaced the existing emplacement foundations and installed the guns.
• An artillery engineer explained that the 204-millimeter guns could fire nine thousand meters, and Lawrence realized that even the Ironclads could not yet carry them.

Lawrence learned that civilian steamships would soon connect the homeland and the New Continent more cheaply, while Year Four of the Duchy began amid rapid growth. Derek marked spring plowing with promises to protect farmers and a public demonstration of Steam Seeders, leaving the Duchy’s modernization on display.

• Lawrence learned that Steam Turbines had been licensed to civilian shipyards and that steamships would soon improve travel and trade with the New Continent.
• The Duchy entered Year Four after New Year celebrations, while its army, railways, and steam-powered industries continued to expand.
• Derek visited the fields for spring plowing and promised farmers low agricultural taxes, no additional levies, and inspections to prevent exploitation.
• Derek posed with the new camera as it recorded his visit and his promises to the farmers.
• Derek ordered the Steam Seeders to begin, and the machines rumbled into the fields as photographs captured the demonstration.

Newspapers and public debate brought the Northern Duchy’s Steam Age into the open, prompting rapid industrial expansion and new laws. Derek revealed that his experimental island had already developed better machines and planned to unveil them after other nations invested in Steam Engines.

• Northern Duchy newspapers published photographs of Derek and reports on the Steam Seeder, land consolidation, and the duchy’s industrial ambitions.
• A Hadley University lecturer praised the Steam Age, while students debated what would happen to farmers displaced by machines.
• The Duke’s Mansion drafted the Land Consolidation Act and Worker Recruitment Act, and Derek’s private holdings invested heavily in factories.
• Factories multiplied around Pulan City, prices fell for many goods, and industrial profits drew nobles, merchants, and commoners into investment.
• At Swan Castle, Tiona questioned Derek about revealing steam-powered machines, and he said his experimental island had already made new breakthroughs.
• Derek planned to let other nations invest in Steam Engines before introducing better machines, weakening the old nobles of the Southern Three Kingdoms.

At Hadley University, visitors watched a steam drill bore a flawless gun barrel as lecturers praised the power of knowledge and machinery. Alarmed by the Northern Duchy’s technological lead and open learning environment, Andre decided to seek negotiations on behalf of the Griffin Kingdom.

• Hadley University lecturers demonstrated a steam drilling machine that bored a smooth gun barrel in minutes.
• The lecturer assembled a crude firearm and told students that knowledge, rather than steam alone, would shape the future.
• Andre observed the demonstration and concluded that steam technology represented a sweeping transformation that threatened the Griffin Kingdom.
• After studying at Hadley University and speaking with Griffin Kingdom students, Andre ordered his people to contact the university and the Duke’s Mansion so he could negotiate.

Andre visited Hadley University to arrange machinery purchases and seek academic support for the Griffin Kingdom. He secured help buying equipment and books, but could not persuade lecturers or scholars to leave the university.

• Andre arrived at Hadley University, where Vice Principal Delong welcomed him and heard his request for assistance.
• Delong agreed to connect Andre with machinery manufacturers, recommend professors for research projects, and let Andre seek out willing teachers himself.
• Andre submitted a list of machinery, and Delong arranged for an assistant to contact manufacturers.
• Andre hired university students as consultants, bought goods, and shipped large quantities of machinery to the Griffin Kingdom by rail and sea.
• Andre purchased many books but failed to recruit lecturers or scholars, who were unwilling to leave Hadley University's academic center.

Andre left Pulan City impressed by the Northern Duchy’s industrial growth and traveled by train to Digen Port, where he saw how quickly modern transport had transformed the region. He arranged to return to the Griffin Kingdom aboard the steam Ironclad passenger ship Pearl, eager to witness its capabilities firsthand.

• Andre departed Pulan City by train, studying a book about steam engines during the journey to Digen Port.
• At Digen Port, Andre reflected that the Griffin Kingdom needed to change and learned that commercial steam Ironclads were beginning passenger service.
• Andre booked passage for himself and his companions aboard the Ironclad, leaving trusted men to escort most of their purchased machinery home by other ships.
• Andre saw the 3,000-ton passenger ship Pearl and marveled at its size, speed, and ability to carry more than a thousand people.

Andre boarded the Pearl and experienced the comforts of its first-class accommodations, resolving to modernize the Griffin Kingdom with lessons from the Northern Duchy. Meanwhile, engineers struggled to build a new four-thousand-ton warship as fleet representatives pressed the shipyard to deliver their orders on time.

• Andre boarded the Pearl, found his first-class cabin, and learned that first-class passengers could remain on deck while other travelers were sent to their cabins.
• Andre watched the Pearl prepare to depart and decided to learn from the Northern Duchy and transform the Griffin Kingdom.
• Engineers at the Military Shipyard revised designs and construction plans for a new four-thousand-ton warship, including its layout and externally mounted armor.
• The Factory Director boasted about the warship’s defenses while fleet representatives demanded updates on construction.
• The Colonial Fleet representative accused the Factory Director of taking money and favors, then insisted the fleet’s warships be delivered by year’s end.
• The Factory Director denied embezzlement and ordered the shipyard workers to speed up construction and revisions.

Andre returned to the Griffin Kingdom and warned the King that the Northern Duchy’s Steam Engines would irreversibly transform society, but the King chose to begin with a Royal Steam Factory rather than broader reforms. Andre left to establish the factory on the coast and prove its value.

• The Factory Director returned to his office after his anger at the Military Shipyard, where private shipyard representatives crowded the corridor seeking access to technology transfers.
• Andre’s passenger ship, the Black Pearl, reached the Griffin Kingdom, where its size and Ironclad design alarmed the navy; Count Joseph ordered the fleet to await directions from the Royal Capital.
• The Black Pearl fired its cannons at fish, startling nearby Griffin Kingdom sailors, while Andre traveled over the kingdom’s poor roads and reflected on its backwardness.
• Andre met the King and explained the Steam Engine’s potential, recommending that the kingdom send students to Northern Duchy University and undertake reforms.
• The King appointed Andre Royal Steam Factory Official and approved his request to build the factory in a coastal region.
• Andre departed for the coast to establish the factory and demonstrate the results of steam machinery.

After losing his position and facing the nobles’ suppression, Count Andre accepted Mr. Peter’s offer of machinery, technical support, and buyers in exchange for supporting academic progress. Meanwhile, Lawrence arrived at Digen Port aboard the Imperial and saw Griffin Kingdom goods being unloaded as the Northern Duchy prepared its expanding fleet for the fourth winter.

• The nobles’ pressure led the King to dismiss Count Andre, leaving his factories under hostile suppression and Andre without most of his power.
• Mr. Peter visited Andre, claimed Principal Delong had introduced him, and offered machinery, technical support, and purchases for Andre’s factory goods.
• Andre accepted Mr. Peter’s offer to advance academic progress after losing faith in the King’s loyalty.
• Lawrence brought the battle-worn Imperial into Digen Port and noticed Griffin Kingdom cargo being unloaded at a commercial berth.
• The Duchy’s fourth winter arrived as a new four-thousand-ton warship began sea trials, with the fleet’s budget providing for one capital ship and seven other warships.

Lawrence brought the Colonial Fleet’s gold to the Military Shipyard and reserved docks for four warships, stunning the Factory Director. News of the fleet’s wealth drew Derek and his family to the coast for the gathering, where Derek arrived and ordered plans for a separate platform to avoid closing the station.

• Lawrence brought chests of gold ashore and carried them to the Military Shipyard to buy warships.
• After seeing the gold, the Factory Director agreed to reserve docks for two Warrior-class ships and two entry-level ships.
• News of Lawrence’s purchase spread, prompting naval officers to pressure Derek to attend the gathering.
• Derek traveled with his wife and son aboard the Duke’s special train to the Military Shipyard.
• Derek saw that the train station had been sealed for his arrival and ordered his attendants to plan a separate platform for special occasions.

Derek arrived at the Military Shipyard with his family and established the Ministry of Navy, appointing Adrian as its first minister. The chapter ended with the Colonial Fleet taking delivery of the Warrior-class battleship Pioneer, signaling the end of the sailing battleship era.

• Derek arrived in Saint Peter Province with his wife and Qin, making a political statement about the succession.
• Derek told naval leaders he intended to dominate the seas and establish the Ministry of Navy.
• Derek appointed Adrian as the Ministry of Navy’s first minister, and Lawrence and the other officers recognized his appointment.
• Adrian began organizing the fleets and assigning their stations and responsibilities.
• Derek approved several fleets’ shipbuilding plans and attended the handover ceremony for the Warrior-class battleship Pioneer.
• Colonial Fleet sailors boarded Pioneer as reporters documented the ceremony and the new battleship’s arrival.

The Northern Duchy’s Warrior-class Battleship prompted a rush of concern and interest from foreign powers, while Derek approved Virut’s plan to attack the Barbarians. The new army secretly assembled in Yanle City, where the Northern Expeditionary Legion was officially formed and war became imminent.

• Newspapers announced the launch of the Warrior-class Battleship, and kings began asking the Military Shipyard about buying warships.
• Andre considered buying an ironclad for the Griffin Kingdom as part of his effort to promote reform.
• Virut asked Derek for permission to attack the Barbarians, and Derek approved the plan and allocated war funds.
• Virut and the Staff Department secretly mobilized all five new infantry divisions and began assembling troops and supplies in Yanle City.
• Walter realized the deployment was not a drill when he saw the supplies and troops arriving, and the Northern Expeditionary Legion was officially established.

Dagu led the First Brigade into the Barbarian Kingdom, where nearby tribes defected to Duke Leopold and the army advanced on the Kory Tribe. After artillery set the tribe ablaze, the infantry began its assault, leaving the battle underway.

• Dagu's brigade crossed the Yanle Mountain Corridor, and several nearby tribes joined Duke Leopold's side.
• Dagu's forces advanced toward the Kory Tribe and planned to seize its settlements before the tribe could organize.
• Dagu urged his soldiers to fight swiftly to liberate their compatriots, and officers issued the attack orders.
• The Artillery Regiment bombarded the Kory Tribe, setting parts of it on fire.
• The First Regiment charged, blasted open the wooden wall, and stormed into the Kory Tribe as shells landed nearby.

The Northern Duchy’s forces defeated the Barbarian tribes and advanced to the Royal Capital, where the Barbarian King prepared for a final stand. His subjects surrendered before the battle began, and Virut entered the capital without bloodshed.

• The First Regiment commander led his recruits in an assault on the Kory Tribe, which surrendered within an hour.
• Dagu arrived at the captured tribe, and the main force later gathered there as the Second Brigade eliminated nearby resistance.
• Virut ordered the divisions and brigades to continue their offensive as a training operation, and the Northern Duchy’s army reached the Royal Capital within a month.
• The Barbarian King admitted that defeat was inevitable, while most tribal chiefs and families fled north.
• As the Barbarian King vowed to fight, the city erupted in revolt and its people called for his capture.
• Virut entered the Royal Capital without bloodshed after the Barbarian King’s subjects surrendered.

Virut executed the captured Barbarian King after conquering the Barbarian capital, and Derek approved the decision and rewarded the victors. As the Southern Three Kingdoms scrambled to strengthen their defenses, Adrian began establishing a maritime order by bringing the new Duchy Navy Fleet to the White Sand Archipelago.

• Virut entered the Barbarian capital, ordered the Barbarian King executed, and sent his head to the Duke.
• Derek approved Virut’s decision and ordered rewards distributed according to merit.
• King Bruno and the other rulers of the Southern Three Kingdoms increased investment in firearms and steam power after the Barbarian Kingdom fell.
• Adrian stayed in Digen Port over the New Year and began organizing the Ministry of Navy to address disorderly maritime trade.
• Adrian took the newly formed fleet of more than ten Ironclads to the White Sand Archipelago.
• Port Governor Knight Ben welcomed Adrian, and the two reunited as former comrades from the Augusta Knight Order.

Adrian ordered Ben to use White Sands Port as a base to blockade the White Sand Archipelago and collect taxes from passing fleets. The Northern Duchy fleet began enforcing the levy by inspecting ships, and it left the chapter sinking and seizing vessels that tried to evade the blockade.

• Adrian told Ben that the White Sand Archipelago had to be brought under Northern Duchy control and ordered him to blockade its sea routes and collect taxes.
• The Northern Duchy fleet stopped a Locke Kingdom fleet, demanded its details and cargo manifest, and ordered it to report to White Sands Port and pay a Bandit Suppression Tax.
• The Locke Kingdom captain submitted to inspection and paid the tax at White Sands Port.
• A second fleet tried to slip through the archipelago at night rather than pay, but the patrol fleet spotted it and opened fire.
• The Northern Duchy fleet sank eight ships, captured the remaining vessels, and seized their cargo.