Chapter Summaries

Li Yifei negotiated with Virut on behalf of the Dark Faction of the Blue Star Federation for Knight Mechs, technical support, and a chance to fight alongside the Dark Empire. After signing a contract, Li Yifei declined Virut’s offer of a guided tour and planned to explore the fortress himself.

• Li Yifei told Virut that the Dark Faction wanted to establish a joint knight order and requested mechs, technical support, combat guidance, and the opportunity to fight alongside the Dark Empire.
• Virut agreed in principle but explained that the Dark Empire’s knight orders required extensive training and that many of Li Yifei’s knights might not meet its standards.
• Li Yifei said the conglomerates accepted the costs of learning through losses, and Virut agreed to urge production of their mechs and try to include them in an operation.
• Li Yifei and Virut haggled over the contract’s details until both sides signed the completed agreement.
• Virut offered Li Yifei two days to rest before a fortress tour, but Li Yifei declined and said he would explore on his own.

Li Yifei met Leon through unofficial channels to discuss acquiring customized mechs, technology, and Transcendent Potions for the Blue Star Federation. Leon agreed to explore the requested supplies and introduced potions from the Rosenblatt Family, though he remained unsure about the private products.

• Li Yifei arranged a private meeting with Leon through Dust's line, while Leon reported the meeting to the duke to build political trust.
• Richard approached Leon with the duke's permission to promote Transcendent Potions from the Rosenblatt Family.
• Li Yifei asked Leon to arrange customized mechs and access to related technology, and Leon offered to seek mechs and licenses for basic technologies.
• Li Yifei requested a stable potion supply, textbooks, and teachers, and Leon warned that potions alone would not create skilled Transcendent workers.
• Leon showed Li Yifei the Rosenblatt Family's potion list and vouched for its quality, despite privately doubting the products.

Li Yifei agreed to a trade partnership with Leon, while the Blue Star Federation’s Dark Faction secretly assembled a knight order and transported it to a newly discovered life-bearing planetary system. The force began preparing to conquer the civilization there, whose defenses could make an attack dangerous despite its technological disadvantage.

• Li Yifei accepted Leon’s recommendation and agreed to a long-term trade arrangement, with the Rosenblatt Family allowing him to defer payment for the shipment.
• Representatives from the conglomerates traded at Sirius Fortress as List monitored their transactions and the Dark Faction built up its resources.
• Simon led five large knight orders, including the North Wind Knight Order, toward the newly discovered planetary system after months of secretly transporting mechas.
• The conglomerates prepared to develop the life-bearing system, whose native civilization had not discovered an Interstellar Passage and was unaware that outsiders had found it.
• Mecha Knights emerged from the spatial passage and engineering ships began construction, while the Dark Faction waited for the full knight order before launching its conquest.

Simon sent Leon and a team of knights toward the Native Civilization to announce their arrival, while ordering preparations to gather information and language data. The Native Civilization prepared for war, and the chapter ended as the team deployed mechs that its command center could not understand.

• Simon reviewed evidence that the Native Civilization had detected the outsiders and was increasing its military preparations.
• Simon ordered Leon to lead knights toward the Native Civilization and told the Li Family representative to stop hiding their presence and gather information.
• Leon warned his team to stay alert and kept He Family apprentice knights close under his protection.
• The Native Civilization detected Leon's ship, prepared for war, and transmitted its language in hopes of opening communication.
• Leon ignored the request for peaceful contact and ordered the team to give the Native Civilization a shock.
• The ship opened its hatch and deployed mechs, leaving the Native Civilization baffled by the unfamiliar weapons.

Leon led the Mecha Knights through the Native Civilization’s planetary defenses, demonstrating how their concentrated firepower failed against Transcendent Mechs. The knights reached the outer defensive line, where Leon ordered them to dismantle its cannons.

• Leon led the knights through the first wave of planetary-cannon fire, and their formation took no losses.
• Leon reassured the inexperienced Blue Star Federation knights as they struggled to maneuver under fire.
• A Blue Star Federation knight fired a handheld Transcendent Laser Cannon at an out-of-range target, and Leon decided to address it later.
• Leon reached the front of the planetary defenses and ordered the knights to dismantle the defensive cannons.
• Leon and the knights swept along the outer defensive line, destroying the Native Civilization’s counterattack cannons.

The Native Civilization’s Saike people were stunned by the Dark Empire’s Mecha Knights and Simon’s demand that they submit to Duke Palmer’s rule. On Blue Star, Elvis revealed to Dennis that the Dark Faction was working with the Dark Empire to develop a new planetary system, leaving Dennis to investigate.

• Leon’s team cleared obstacles and returned after the Dark Empire established communications with the Saike people.
• Simon demanded that the Saike people lay down their arms, accept the Lord’s faith and sacred rule, and decide within three days or face a devastating strike.
• The Dark Faction began building defenses and a fortress around the Interstellar Passage exit.
• Dennis approached Elvis to share news from his father, but Elvis surprised him by revealing that the Dark Faction had discovered a new planetary system.
• Elvis told Dennis that the Dark Faction was working with Duke Palmer and challenged the Commoner Faction to find the system’s location.

Dennis warned Lucas that the Dark Faction was building a knight force and might be developing a New Star System, threatening the Federation’s balance of power. Lucas mobilized the government under the Constitution and appealed to Qin for Great Xia’s support, leaving Qin unable to dismiss the danger without betraying his stated opposition to darkness.

• Dennis told Lucas that the Dark Faction’s knights and possible control of a planetary system could trigger civil war in the Blue Star Federation.
• Lucas ordered his secretary to investigate the Dark Faction’s unusual activity and directed the Federation Fleet to prepare for deployment.
• Lucas decided to seek support from the Great Xia Empire because the Federation lacked Transcendent Knights to counter the Dark Faction.
• Lucas visited Qin and warned that the Dark Faction’s expansion could bring dark banners over the Blue Star Federation.
• Qin recognized Lucas’s appeal to the opposing forces of light and darkness and understood that he could not refuse on those grounds.

Qin offered the Blue Star Federation help against the Dark Empire by bringing in the Sacrificial Civilization as a trusted third party. Lucas learned that Manhab’s civilization had trained more than ten thousand knights, and Qin urged him to use their intelligence to strike at the Dark Faction’s knights.

• Qin and Lucas disagreed over knight training and the Blue Star Federation’s need for immediate military support.
• Qin proposed that the Sacrificial Civilization enter the Blue Star Federation as a third-party ally, and Manhab agreed to help repel the invasion.
• Manhab explained that his civilization had trained its knights through years of faith-based selection and combat education.
• Lucas was shocked to learn the Sacrificial Civilization had more than ten thousand knights, while the Blue Star Federation had trained only a few.
• Qin argued that the Blue Star Federation’s resistance to the Lord’s power had hindered its knights and urged Lucas to strike directly at the Dark Faction’s knights.

Lucas signed a treaty with Manhab’s Sacrificial Civilization, agreeing to withdraw Blue Star Federation warships in exchange for its support against the Dark Faction. He used the alliance to launch surprise attacks on the Dark Faction’s bases and Knight Training Camps, leaving the Great Xia Empire involved only behind the scenes.

• Manhab demanded that the Blue Star Federation withdraw its warships from the Sacrificial Civilization and respect its sovereignty, and Lucas agreed to push through the withdrawal and signed a treaty with him.
• The Sacrificial Civilization eagerly prepared to fight the Dark Faction, hoping to prove its faith and secure the Great Xia Empire’s continued support.
• Lucas ordered strikes on confirmed Dark Faction Knight Training Camps and sent investigators to search for suspected hidden bases.
• Lucas submitted a military employment agreement for the Sacrificial Civilization’s knights and launched attacks before the cabinet could approve it.
• Knights from the Great Xia Empire secretly joined the Sacrificial Civilization’s contingent as observers, and Lucas tacitly accepted their involvement.

He Kai learned that a coordinated operation was targeting Dark Faction Knight Training Camps, while Shalier and Hadige led Sacrificial Civilization knights in an assault on his outpost. After He Wei offered him an escape route, He Kai decided to test himself against the attackers before retreating.

• Shalier and Hadige joined the Blue Star Federation forces, and Shalier warned Hadige to protect He Kai during the mission.
• Shalier surveyed the outpost and told the Sacrificial Civilization knights to stay close to Hadige and avoid risking their lives unnecessarily.
• The Sacrificial Civilization knights began their assault, and He Kai cursed at being targeted again.
• He Wei warned He Kai that the attackers were Sacrificial Civilization knights striking at the entire Dark Faction and offered him a prepared escape route.
• He Kai told He Wei he would fight the attackers first and then withdraw.

He Kai led the Blue Star Federation knights against the Sacrificial Civilization, but Hadige overwhelmed him and his forces. He Kai escaped aboard a warship as He Wei revealed that the He Family had suffered another major loss and showed a battle targeting the family’s other assembled knights.

• He Kai rallied his knights to counterattack and fight for a chance to escape the Sacrificial Civilization’s assault.
• Hadige marked He Kai as his target and easily pressured him in their duel while the Sacrificial Civilization’s knights suppressed He Kai’s subordinates.
• After reports of heavy casualties, He Kai ordered the stronghold to unleash its full firepower and the warships to retrieve the survivors.
• Hadige kicked He Kai away and deliberately let his shot miss, allowing He Kai to flee through the stronghold and board a warship.
• He Wei told He Kai that the family had suffered heavy losses and showed him a battle after the Blue Star Federation government discovered the location of the He Family’s remaining Knight Order.

The He Family's knight order was crushed in a surprise attack by the Blue Star Federation military and the Sacrificial Civilization, while He Kai escaped and was entrusted with building a new training camp. Simon refused Li Yifei's request to punish Lucas, but ordered his forces to begin dealing with the troubles before them.

• Warships and knights from the Sacrificial Civilization attacked the He Family's stronghold and overwhelmed its knight order.
• He Wei told He Kai that the family would expand its Knight Training Camp and tasked him with establishing one in the New Star System.
• He Wei lamented the destruction of the He Family's knight order and prepared to contact the other families.
• Li Yifei asked Simon to intervene against Lucas, but Simon refused to act without an order from the Duke.
• Simon announced that his men had trained enough and ordered them to begin tackling the troubles before them.

Simon led a massive knight deployment against the Native Civilization and revealed the Six-Winged Power Angels’ transcendent combat strength. After their formation survived a direct Fortress Cannon blast, Leon saw Simon as a glimpse of his own future.

• Simon mobilized thousands of knights to launch a far larger assault on the Native Civilization than before.
• Li Yifei suggested summoning the Fallen Angel, but Simon rejected the idea and led the charge himself in the Six-Winged Angel Armament.
• Simon and the other Six-Winged Power Angels took control of the Knight Order’s local network and advanced toward a Fortress Cannon.
• Leon warned that attacking the Fortress Cannon head-on was suicidal, but Simon dismissed his objection.
• Simon’s knights linked their Energy Shields and emerged unharmed from the Fortress Cannon’s blast, leaving Leon awed by Simon’s power.

Simon led the Mecha Knights through the Native Civilization’s collapsing planetary defenses after its Fortress Cannons failed to stop the Six-Winged Power Angels. As the Native Civilization began considering surrender, Simon rejected its offer and continued the attack.

• The Native Civilization panicked when its Fortress Cannons failed to destroy the Six-Winged Power Angels, and Simon ordered the knights to attack.
• Li Yifei and the others witnessed the angels’ energy shields and questioned their scientific understanding.
• Simon destroyed the weakened Fortress Cannon, then identified gaps in the enemy’s defensive line.
• Simon led his high-ranking knights on a diagonal charge through the planetary defenses, drawing fire away from the main force.
• The Native Civilization considered surrender, but Simon rejected it and continued his steady advance.

Li Yifei and the other Blue Star Federation conglomerates committed to the Angel Civilization by offering a planetary system to Duke Palmer. List decided to accept the offer and, following Virut’s advice, grant the territory back as a fiefs while retaining administrative and taxation rights.

• Li Yifei and the other leaders agreed to drive out the Federation Government’s troops, establish their own territory, and sever their ties with it.
• Li Yifei offered the planetary system to Simon as thanks for Duke Palmer’s generosity, and Simon agreed to report the offer to the Duke.
• List learned of the offer and decided that protecting the Angel Civilization’s reputation mattered more than refusing the territory outright.
• Virut advised List to accept the planetary system and grant it back as a fief while retaining administrative and taxation rights.
• List accepted Virut’s plan and decided to reward his subordinates with a share of the territory.

Simon’s forces conquered the New Star System, where the Dark Empire established control and began converting and exploiting the native population. After returning to the Sirius Galaxy, Li Yifei prepared to meet Duke Palmer and train as a knight.

• Simon received approval for his temporary rule over the New Star System, which was named Loyalty and Trust.
• Simon ordered the natives to be converted to the faith and planned to send those who agreed back as flesh slaves, while Li Yifei offered more supplies.
• The Dark Empire quickly stabilized its occupation by restoring order and improving some conditions for ordinary natives, even as it spread its faith and enforced its laws harshly.
• Simon announced that the Duke had summoned the group to return for rewards, and they encountered Sacrificial Civilization knights guarding the main passageways on their way back.
• Li Yifei and his allies reached the Sirius Galaxy and found Duke Palmer’s residence established on a resource planet.
• While waiting to meet the Duke, Li Yifei said he would enter seclusion and train to become a knight.

Li Yifei received a barony and substantial rewards from List for his service in the Zhongxin Star System, leaving him eager to learn how to manage his new noble status. He sought advice from Leon, who agreed to look over his rewards.

• List praised Li Yifei and the others for their service and announced that they would receive titles and rewards.
• List knighted Li Yifei as a Baron with a fief in the Zhongxin Star System, along with a sword, clothing, mecha, businesses, and other provisions.
• List awarded the other recipients according to their merits, and they celebrated their new status at a banquet.
• Li Yifei received an estate, land, and slaves but realized he did not know how to manage a noble household.
• Li Yifei found Leon at the North Wind Knight Order camp and asked for help understanding his rewards.
• Leon briefly felt jealous of Li Yifei's promotion, then composed himself and offered to inspect the rewards.

Leon explained that Duke List’s rewards to Li Yifei included devout believers, Sword Forgemasters, and a faith-powered mecha, revealing their value and the Empire’s exploitation of its rules. Li Yifei recognized that the rewards tempted him to claim independence from his family’s control and resolved to grow strong enough to make his title his own.

• Li Yifei gave Leon the transfer inventory, and Leon explained that the Duke’s three most valuable gifts were one hundred households of believers, five Sword Forgemasters, and a mecha.
• Leon told Li Yifei that the believers could provide faith resources to enhance special items, including the Duke’s God-granted mecha.
• Leon explained that the Sword Forgemasters were trained retainers who could craft customized supernatural weapons, and he showed Li Yifei his own transcendent sword.
• Li Yifei realized that although the title was his by law, his family would likely control its territory and benefits, leaving the Duke’s gifts as the only assets he could negotiate over.
• Li Yifei acknowledged that Duke List’s offer tempted him, accepted the costs of seeking Transcendent Power, and resolved to become strong enough to claim his title in truth.

Li Yifei negotiated with the Li Family over his rewards, surrendering control of five Sword Forgemasters in exchange for a title, a fief, and limited rights to their output. Leon explained that the Empire’s unspoken rules made Sword Forgemasters easier to obtain than Li Yifei had thought, and he offered another idea in exchange for ten cases of wine.

• The Li Family elders claimed control of the five Sword Forgemasters, while agreeing that Li Yifei would keep his baronial title and fief.
• Li Yifei negotiated for ten percent of the Sword Forgemasters’ products and one apprentice slot, and the Li Family Board accepted.
• Frustrated by the settlement, Li Yifei invited Leon out and explained what had happened.
• Leon told Li Yifei that a baron with a fief could likely obtain Sword Forgemasters through Imperial channels, making his deal a bargain.
• Li Yifei offered Leon ten cases of wine, and Leon promised another idea in return.

Leon advised Li Yifei to divide his fief and grant Knight Fiefs to recruit powerful knights, and Li Yifei decided to pursue the plan. After investigating his options, Li Yifei focused on talented young and middle-aged knights who lacked fiefs.

• Leon told Li Yifei to carve Knight Fiefs from his territory so he could recruit knights, and explained the differences between experienced knights, veterans, and promising academy students.
• Li Yifei decided to trade some of his territory for knightly combat power and began planning how to recruit several powerful knights.
• Li Yifei ordered fifty crates of wine from the hotel after it ran out of stock, and Leon privately grumbled about his wealth.
• Li Yifei learned that dividing his territory was easy, but veteran knights and their descendants were difficult to recruit because they already had titles, prospects, and connections.
• Li Yifei settled on seeking talented young and middle-aged knights who had no fiefs, hoping to gain both potential and immediate fighting strength.