Chapter Summaries

Li Yifei recruited Yin Sang as his hereditary knight and asked him to arrange armaments for their growing force. Yin Sang revealed Duke Palmer’s ties to House Augusta and the Great Xia Empire, leaving Li Yifei questioning the conflict between factions backed by brothers.

• Yin Sang pledged loyalty to Li Yifei and became his personal knight after learning of Li Yifei’s background and prospects.
• Li Yifei recruited several other knights and placed them under Yin Sang’s management.
• Yin Sang recommended applying for standardized Virtue Angel-class Mecha, and Li Yifei chose to seek modified models from research institutes.
• Yin Sang explained that Duke Palmer could connect them to top research institutes in the Great Xia Empire because he was an illegitimate son of House Augusta.
• Li Yifei realized that the Dark and Commoner factions were backed by Duke Palmer and His Highness Qin, who were brothers, and questioned what they were fighting for.

Li Yifei ordered Yin Sang to seek research partners and arm their forces while acknowledging the Dark Empire’s entrenched role in their plans. Daniel’s investigation located the Dark Faction’s secret development beyond the Magellanic Planetary System, but Lucas could not secure immediate action and instead arranged surveillance as he resolved to gain greater political power.

• Li Yifei told Yin Sang to contact research institutes in both the Empire and Great Xia, place orders, and find professionals to assist.
• Daniel’s team traced the Dark Faction’s secret planetary-system development to a location outside the Magellanic Planetary System using two decades of supply, personnel, and spacecraft records.
• Daniel went to Lucas for authorization, but Lucas said the Director-General had rejected restrictions on passage without evidence.
• Lucas revealed that he had sent Commander Cao Yang to the Magellan System to monitor the Dark Faction and gather evidence.
• Daniel grew frustrated and considered using another method, while Lucas resolved to seize more power after the cabinet’s term ended.

Lucas strengthened the Commoner Faction and sent Daniel back to Elvis to secure the Great Xia Empire’s support as conflict with the Dark Faction escalated. After Commander Cao Yang defected, Li Yifei urged the Dark Faction to stop hesitating and launch a decapitation operation against Lucas.

• Lucas told Daniel to return to Elvis’s side and seek the Great Xia Empire’s help for the Federation.
• Lucas’s appointment of Cao Yang as commander of the Magellanic Galaxy Fortress helped the Commoner Faction gain an advantage over the Dark Faction.
• The Dark Faction learned that Cao Yang had defected, threatening its supply routes and plans for the Zhongxin Planetary System.
• Li Yifei argued that the Dark Faction should rebel rather than let Lucas gradually strangle it.
• Li Yifei proposed eliminating Lucas, warning the leaders that the conflict had become a war in which one side would die.

Li Yifei won the conglomerates’ support for an assassination attempt on Lucas and revealed that Yin Sang’s knight squad could lead it. Yin Sang set out to attack the Ministry of Defense, unaware that Lucas had begun fortifying the building and requesting aid.

• The conglomerates unanimously approved Li Yifei’s proposal to kill Lucas and promised to compensate him for mission losses at double the amount.
• Li Yifei told the big shots that Yin Sang’s knight squad could carry out the decapitation plan with supporting forces.
• Li Yifei asked Yin Sang to lead the mission, and Yin Sang accepted without making further demands on his liege lord.
• Lucas sensed that the conglomerates’ silence was suspicious and realized he might be their target.
• Yin Sang and the conglomerates’ knights prepared to attack the Ministry of Defense, while Lucas mobilized troops to fortify it and requested aid from the Great Xia Empire.

Lucas sensed danger and moved to a safe house as Transcendent Knights attacked the Ministry of Defense Building. The assault overwhelmed its defenses, marking the arrival of the Transcendent Era on the Blue Star Federation’s Capital Star.

• Lucas recognized that the Ministry of Defense Building was vulnerable and ordered guards to take him to the safe house.
• Yin Sang blamed the Dark Faction liaison for a suspected intelligence leak, but rejected the order to abort the mission.
• Yin Sang ordered the Transcendent Knight Mechs to attack, making Lucas their primary target and everyone in the building their secondary target.
• The Ministry of Defense issued a maximum-alert warning as Transcendent activity was detected and the attackers charged the building.
• Transcendent Mecha Knights broke through the Ministry of Defense Building’s defenses, signaling the arrival of the Transcendent Era.

Yin Sang’s assassination team attacked the Ministry of Defense Building but failed to find Lucas and retreated after heavy losses. Lucas declared that the attack amounted to war and ordered the Federation’s forces to prepare for a counterattack.

• Yin Sang broke into Lucas’s office, learned his team had half an hour to complete the mission, and continued searching for Lucas.
• Lucas escaped to a secret room and waited as Yin Sang’s team slaughtered people and destroyed the Ministry of Defense Building.
• Yin Sang destroyed the arriving heavy shuttles with a javelin and ordered his knights to search nearby safe houses, but they did not find Lucas.
• Yin Sang called off the mission and withdrew with his team along the Dark Faction’s prepared route.
• After learning the enemy had retreated and the Ministry had suffered catastrophic losses, Lucas declared war and ordered fleets to enter a state of war and warships to the planet’s atmosphere.

After his failed assassination of Lucas, Yin Sang received a new mission from Li Yifei and turned back toward the Blue Star Federation. He and his team returned to Magellan Fortress, where the Dark Faction had hidden them near Commander Cao Yang’s residence.

• Yin Sang concluded that a series of coincidences, rather than a leak, had caused his assassination attempt to fail.
• Li Yifei contacted Yin Sang and assigned him another mission as war approached, and Yin Sang agreed to turn back.
• Yin Sang’s team reversed course and traveled safely back toward the Blue Star Federation.
• Yin Sang asked when his mech would be brought into the fortress, while his liaison explained the difficulties caused by Cao Yang’s appointment.
• The Dark Faction used concealed sewer routes and safe houses to hide Yin Sang and his team a few hundred meters from Cao Yang’s residence.

The Dark Faction launched an attack on Magellan Fortress to kill Commander Cao Yang and restore its prestige. Yin Sang led the Mecha Knights through the sewers, cornering Cao Yang and ordering him to kneel.

• The Dark Faction prepared to strike at Magellan Fortress while Cao Yang tightened security and reorganized his fleet.
• Cao Yang ordered guards to watch the sewers, but the Dark Faction secretly brought Yin Sang's mech into the fortress.
• Yin Sang put on his mech and ordered the operation to begin, leading the attackers through the sewer sentry posts.
• Cao Yang awakened to the alarm and ordered the fleet to seal off the fortress as the Mecha Knights emerged from the sewers.
• The Mecha Knights slaughtered Cao Yang's guards, and Yin Sang's forces demanded that Cao Yang get on his knees.

Yin Sang killed Cao Yang, allowing the Blue Star Dark Faction to seize Magellan Fortress before the Blue Star Federation could respond. Lucas received news of the fortress’s fall and cursed Cao Yang as he considered the war ahead.

• Yin Sang executed Cao Yang, and the fortress deputy commander took control amid the ensuing chaos.
• The Blue Star Dark Faction brought in its private fleet, replaced officers, and overcame the remaining resistance at Magellan Fortress.
• A Dark Faction representative thanked Yin Sang and told him to wait for Li Yifei, while reinforcements from the Dark Empire rushed to join the conflict.
• At the Blue Star Federation capital, Lucas reviewed intelligence about Magellan Fortress and condemned Cao Yang for its loss.

After the Dark Faction seized Magellan Fortress and assassinated Cao Yang, Lucas detained the Director-General and moved to impose military rule. Qin declined to officially support the Blue Star Federation Government but opened a route for it to hire knights from the Sacrificial Civilization, while Lucas began a crackdown and framed the conflict as a war between civilizations.

• Lucas learned that the Director-General had been detained while trying to flee and ordered him executed without a tribunal.
• Daniel offered Qin a newly discovered star system in exchange for the Great Xia Empire's support, but Qin questioned whether the Blue Star Federation Government was legitimate.
• Elvis reminded Daniel that the Federation could hire knights from the Sacrificial Civilization, allowing the Great Xia Empire to intervene indirectly.
• Qin personally said Lucas was more capable of representing the Blue Star Federation, and Lucas quickly began organizing an offensive with the available knights.
• Lucas ordered the arrest of anyone who refused to submit to Military Government control and declared the conflict a war between civilizations.

He Kai led the surviving knights of his Elite Knight Order through a retreat as the Blue Star Federation Military Government seized systems and pursued the He Family. When the Sacrificial Civilization knights caught up, He Kai turned to fight, facing a Grand Knight who had ignored orders to continue the pursuit.

• He Kai’s Elite Knight Order suffered heavy losses in three days of fighting before the collapse of the main front forced the He Family to retreat toward the Magellan System.
• He Kai led a rearguard through an Interstellar Passage pursuit battle and counted only fifty knights left in his unit.
• He Wei told He Kai that Magellan Fortress was near and urged him to catch up with the main force, but the pursuers closed in again.
• He Kai rallied his knights to fight the Sacrificial Civilization forces, and they charged under his lead.
• A Sacrificial Civilization Grand Knight dismissed orders to abandon the small unit and advanced to challenge He Kai.

He Kai and his dwindling knight force faced certain defeat against the Sacrificial Civilization, but the North Wind Knight Order arrived and opened a path to rescue them. Leon led the elite reinforcements into battle, leaving the Sacrificial Civilization forces scrambling to respond.

• The Blue Star Federation commander let the Sacrificial Civilization knights pursue He Kai’s force while he prepared to approach Magellan Fortress.
• A Sacrificial Civilization knight asked He Kai’s name and exchanged words of respect with him before they prepared to fight.
• He Kai arranged his fifty knights into small teams, and they fought with fierce resolve despite being badly outnumbered.
• As He Kai’s force neared destruction, signals from the North Wind Knight Order reached his mech, and Leon ordered him to break through toward the reinforcements.
• Leon led the North Wind Knight Order onto the battlefield, where the elite knights crushed the Sacrificial Civilization fighters blocking their path.

Leon led the North Wind Knight Order in a retreating battle against the Sacrificial Civilization’s knights, while He Kai learned from their tactics and helped his family escape. He Kai reached Magellan Fortress safely, where He Wei thanked him for saving the He Family.

• Leon asked He Kai if he could keep moving, then brought him along as the North Wind Knight Order fought the Sacrificial Civilization’s knights.
• He Kai watched the North Wind Knight Order’s tactics and improved his understanding of squad and Knight Order command while struggling to keep pace.
• The North Wind Knight Order drove the Sacrificial Civilization’s knights toward the Blue Star Federation Military Government’s fleet, then avoided the fleet’s defenses and traded cautious attacks with it.
• Leon led the North Wind Knight Order away from the fleet, and He Kai reached Magellan Fortress without incident.
• He Kai returned to the fortress exhausted and visibly thinner, and He Wei thanked him for leading the He Family to safety.

He Kai reunited with his family before Leon brought him to the North Wind Knight Order and explained how dire the Dark Faction’s position had become. List ordered an offensive from Magellan Fortress and a major military buildup, leaving Leon and the other officers facing a brutal war.

• He Wei worried that the weakened He Family would struggle to recover, while He Kai offered him vague reassurance.
• Leon took He Kai to the North Wind Knight Order’s station, praised his survival, and explained why Magellan Fortress was vital to the Dark Faction’s remaining territory.
• Leon joined a conference where List announced an offensive from Magellan Fortress to pressure the Blue Star Federation Military Government and help the isolated Dark Faction hold out.
• List ordered military units to expand recruitment, doubled the North Wind Knight Order’s size, and called up auxiliary forces as military factories prepared for a wider war.

Leon told He Kai that Duke Palmer was preparing a Great Counterattack against the Blue Star Federation Military Government, while offering support to strengthen the He Family's Knight Order. He Kai returned to the family’s fortified refuge, where He Wei and He Yun awaited him.

• Leon told He Kai that the Knight Orders would expand for Duke Palmer’s Great Counterattack and advised him to survive the war and seize opportunities.
• Leon offered He Kai technical, logistical, training, and supply support, and He Kai decided to reform and strictly screen the He Family’s knights.
• A He Family driver took He Kai from Magellan Fortress to the family’s new base in a satellite city, where the family had installed self-defense weapons.
• He Wei welcomed He Kai and asked whether Leon had tried to recruit him; He Kai instead warned that the family should prepare for the counterattack.
• He Wei brought He Kai to meet He Yun, who had grown haggard from the upheaval.

He Yun interpreted Duke Palmer’s Great Counterattack as a test of loyalty and cooperation, but expected the weakened He Family to be spared from fighting. Duke Palmer’s envoy confirmed that the family would receive a barony and resources, while warning that it would have to earn lasting noble honor through its own achievements.

• He Yun explained to He Wei that the Great Counterattack would shape the families’ future standing, and He Kai offered to lead the family’s knights into battle.
• He Yun gave He Kai the remaining elite knights and responsibility for training recruits, while saying he would try to keep the family out of this counterattack.
• An envoy arrived with Duke Palmer’s message that the He Family would receive a baronial title, a fief, money, weapons, and armor, and did not need to fight in the counterattack.
• The envoy warned that the He Family had to earn its noble honor through achievement, and He Yun pledged that the family would not disappoint Duke Palmer.

He Kai watched Duke Palmer’s forces launch a counteroffensive against the Blue Star Federation Military Government, but the fighting settled into a prolonged war of attrition. As the He Family rebuilt its strength, He Yun warned He Kai that another star system had fallen to the Military Government.

• The He Family and allied conglomerates received titles and rewards from Duke Palmer, then supplied his army for its counteroffensive.
• He Kai saw the North Wind Knight Order deploy as part of a large fleet, and Dust spotted him aboard Magellan Fortress.
• The fleet fought its way through the Interstellar Passage, where knights and unmanned units clashed with the Military Government’s forces.
• The North Wind Knight Order waited without seeing action, while the conflict became a drawn-out war of attrition and Leon withdrew after a relieving Knight Order arrived.
• He Kai helped rebuild the He Family’s knight forces and warship assets while the front remained quiet.
• He Yun told He Kai that the Military Government had captured another star system, further strengthening its position.

He Kai learned that the He Family had sent him to the front with a hastily assembled force of expendable knights, despite its claims of concern. After Leon offered him a place in the North Wind Knight Order, He Kai refused and vowed to survive and make the He Family feel abandoned.

• He Wei told He Kai that a defector had handed a star system to the Blue Star Federation Military Government, strengthening its position.
• He Kai agreed to join the battle, and He Yun placed the He Family's remaining knights under his command while asking him to return alive.
• He Kai realized the He Family's affection and promises had been a way to keep him compliant, and he took command of its hastily assembled knights.
• Leon visited He Kai's camp, recognized the force as cannon fodder, and invited him out for a drink.
• Leon offered He Kai a place in the North Wind Knight Order, but He Kai refused and vowed to return alive and make the He Family feel abandoned.

He Kai led the He Family's Knight Order into a massive assault against the Blue Star Federation Military Government's fortress, knowing his family had sent them as cannon fodder. As the fleet cleared a path through the fortress defenses, He Kai prepared to lead his trusted old brothers into the charge.

• Leon sensed He Kai's change and told him he could come to the Knight Order if he had nowhere else to go.
• The He Family's Knight Order received orders to join the offensive, and He Kai calmly took command of the large force gathered for the attack.
• He Kai warned his knights about communication interference and privately urged his trusted old brothers to stay close and focus on surviving.
• He Kai ordered his formation forward as the knights and fleet advanced under the fortress's heavy fire.
• The temporary battlefield command concentrated naval artillery on one area, destroying many Fortress Cannons and opening an opportunity for the knights to charge.

He Kai led the He Family knights in an assault on the Sacrificial Civilization fortress, organizing his forces and drawing the enemy’s attention. Friendly reinforcements helped repel a decapitation squad, giving He Kai room to break through the fortress’s Steel Bulwark.

• He Kai charged with his knights and organized them into small squads to fight the Sacrificial Civilization forces.
• He Kai ordered his knights to attack the fortress’s defensive weapons and enemy fighters, drawing concentrated artillery fire.
• Sacrificial Civilization knights launched an assault after failing to identify He Kai as the battlefield commander.
• Friendly forces arrived to support He Kai, and together they forced back the enemy squad, leaving nearly half of it dead.
• He Kai regained the chance to organize his men and break through the fortress’s Steel Bulwark.