Recaps

Leonard delivered books to Ahab Ishmael, who was actually Luther, and watched the Deacon study travel and architecture guides. Luther used illustrations from Groselle's Travels to identify the city where Ince Zangwill was hiding and concluded that he was in Feysac.

• Leonard pushed crates through St. Samuel Cathedral and asked Pallez whether he had remembered the ancient aura associated with Dwayne Dantès.
• Leonard brought the crates to Ahab Ishmael, hoping the Senior Deacon might detect something unusual about Dwayne Dantès.
• Luther sent Leonard away and searched books and albums for buildings matching the clues in Groselle's Travels.
• Luther considered Adam's secret involvement in events against him and debated whether to tell the Church of Evernight.
• Luther recognized a building in a Feysac architecture book as Saint Numa Cathedral in Saint Millon and located Ince Zangwill in Feysac.

Klein, posing as Dwayne Dantès, won Archbishop Anthony’s confidence and met Senior Deacon Ahab Ishmael without revealing his identity. After leaving the cathedral, Luther received the growing prayers of his new believers and sensed that their faith was anchoring him to the Phantom Tide.

• Klein spoke with Archbishop Anthony, who introduced him as a devout believer to Senior Deacon Ahab Ishmael.
• Leonard watched the cordial introductions and left, still believing the others had failed to detect Dwayne Dantès’s abnormality.
• Anthony invited Luther to ride with him to the next day’s ball, but Luther left the cathedral after hearing prayers directed at him.
• At his residence, Luther used protective measures before returning to the Phantom Tide, where M told him the prayers were increasing.
• Luther absorbed the worshippers’ prayers and realized their faith served as an Anchor that strengthened his connection to the Phantom Tide and helped stabilize his mental state.

Anderson and the King of Blood’s crew distributed supplies to islanders in exchange for reciting the Blood God’s Honorific Name. Afterward, a boy asked whether the god could grant him the power to kill his enemies, and Anderson told him to keep praying.

• Anderson and his sailors set up tables on a remote island and offered supplies to islanders who recited the Blood God’s Honorific Name.
• The islanders received food and other goods, though most showed little interest in the god beyond earning the supplies.
• Anderson kicked a sailor into the sea after the sailor questioned whether the islanders’ prayers would help fulfill the captain’s orders.
• A thin boy returned to Anderson and asked if offering his soul and life to the Blood God would give him the power to kill his enemies.
• Anderson told the boy to pray to the Blood God a few more times.

Luther considered his plans to spread his faith, earn merit, and pursue targets in Feysac before attending Earl Hall’s dance ball with Archbishop Anthony. At the ball, Earl Hall and his wife welcomed the two clergymen and introduced Luther to Audrey.

• Luther listened to his believers’ prayers, then decided to let Anderson spread his faith while he focused on earning merit and killing Ince Zangwill.
• Luther also resolved to seek an opportunity to visit Feysac, where Sophia’s aunt Ivanova Einhorn might be connected to Ms. M.
• Luther and Archbishop Anthony arrived at Earl Hall’s dance ball without partners and presented gifts to Earl Hall and the Countess.
• Earl Hall and his wife welcomed the clergymen, and the Countess appeared to study Luther’s face.
• Earl Hall introduced his daughter Audrey to Luther as she approached with a large golden-haired dog.

At Earl Hall’s ball, Audrey confirmed that Luther was Mr. Temperance while he kept his identity concealed from the other guests. Audrey began helping Luther observe Backlund’s nobles, leaving him with a list of prominent guests grouped by their religious affiliations.

• Audrey greeted Luther with a Tarot Club mannerism, and Luther recognized that she had discovered his identity and answered in kind without exposing it.
• Luther used his abilities to fade from the guests’ attention, then joined Audrey in a corner while Archbishop Saint Anthony noticed him.
• After Earl Hall’s toast began the ball, Audrey asked Luther to dance, but he declined and criticized the steak while Susie sniffed him and was struck by a black cat’s paw from his shadow.
• Audrey offered to introduce the guests, then identified representatives of the Goddess Church, the Church of Storms, and the God of Steam’s faction.

Luther learned about the political factions among the ball’s guests while Audrey explained the Conservative Party and the New Party. As rain fell over Backlund, Luther warned Audrey that many people in the East Borough would probably die after tonight’s rain.

• Audrey introduced Framis Cage, an industrialist and believer of the God of Steam, and explained his ties to Baron Syndras.
• Audrey described the Conservative Party and the New Party, and said the Hall family dealt with both sides without taking sides.
• The opening dance ended, and Archbishop Anthony left Luther at the ball as the festivities grew livelier.
• Luther noticed the rain outside and told Audrey that many people in the East Borough would probably die after it.

At a Backlund gathering, Luther’s remarks about the East Borough’s suffering left Audrey ashamed and resolved to help. The party was then thrown into chaos when Duke Negan killed industrial magnate Framis Cage, and Earl Hall tried to contain the scene.

• Luther described how rain and disease threatened the East Borough’s poor, prompting Audrey to recognize her own failure to consider their plight.
• Luther encouraged Audrey to take practical action, and she agreed.
• A loud crash interrupted the gathering, and the guests discovered Framis Cage dead from a severe head wound.
• Luther identified Duke Negan as the killer, while Sival Negan muttered that he had only meant to teach Framis a lesson.
• Framis’s bodyguard accused the duke of murder, and the duke’s guards claimed Framis had attacked first.
• Earl Hall ordered the crowd to quiet down and apologized to the guests for the disturbance.

Leonard told Soest that a serious incident had occurred at Earl Hall’s villa, and the Machinery Hivemind arrived to investigate and question Ishmael. That night, Arrodes entered Klein’s dream and showed him Framis Cage’s corpse.

• Leonard told Soest that Earl Hall’s villa had been sealed off and its guests were being questioned after an incident at the ball.
• Soest warned the Red Gloves not to ask about confidential matters.
• Ikanser and the Machinery Hivemind visited the Nighthawks’ headquarters and went to question Ishmael.
• Arrodes entered Klein’s dream and showed him a corpse that Klein recognized as Framis Cage.

Klein learned that Framis Cage’s murder had sparked a clash between the Churches of Steam and Storms, while Arrodes hinted that Luther had been present. In the Forsaken Land of the Gods, Lovia prepared to advance using captured monsters as Derrick wondered whether to contact Mr. Temperance.

• Klein observed Framis Cage’s murder scene in Arrodes’s dream and saw the Churches of Steam and Storms arguing over the investigation and Duke Negan.
• Arrodes told Klein that the conflict had driven Ikanser to take the mirror away, and warned that Framis’s dealings with Klein might draw investigators to him.
• Arrodes hinted that Luther had been at the scene, and Klein reassured the mirror before sending it away.
• Joshua reported that the captured monsters were ready, and Colin Iliad said Lovia should proceed before they died.
• Lovia stepped into the center of the square as Derrick wondered whether the Council of Elders would succeed and whether he should contact Mr. Temperance.

Luther’s meeting with Ikanser was disrupted when Arrodes exposed the Machinery Hivemind members’ secrets, but an urgent message forced Ikanser to leave. In the Forsaken Land of the Gods, Lovia prepared to advance while Colin and her younger sister Rosanna stood ready to stop her if the ritual went out of control.

• Arrodes panicked in Luther’s presence and revealed embarrassing secrets about the Machinery Hivemind members.
• Luther blew Arrodes down, and Ikanser ordered it boxed before beginning his questions for Luther.
• Ikanser’s wristwatch displayed an urgent message, so he left with his team before the investigation could proceed.
• Mister rejoined his companions outside the square as Lovia entered the ritual site surrounded by monsters.
• Colin reminded Rosanna that she would have to kill Lovia herself if the advancement became uncontrollable.
• Lovia adjusted herself and began preparing the advancement ritual.

Luther received letters from Bernadette and Anderson confirming that Miss Magician’s novel had been published in Intis and the Sonia Sea, then read its opening with Antiya. Klein’s messenger arrived with another letter and silently faced off with Antiya before Luther paid her a gold coin to leave.

• Antiya delivered letters from Bernadette and Anderson and settled on the sofa with Luna.
• Luther read that Bernadette had arranged for the novel to be serialized in an Intis newspaper and that Anderson had helped publish it in the Sonia Sea.
• Luther and Antiya read the story’s opening, which depicted Gascoigne leading soldiers to attack George III’s palace, and Antiya complained that she had not appeared.
• Klein’s messenger arrived with a letter, stared at Antiya, and departed after Luther gave her a gold pound.

Luther read Klein’s advice about Luna’s Clown acting and the Magician Potion, along with news about the Churches of Steam and Storms and a plan to show Klein the Antigonus Family’s notes. In the Forsaken Land of the Gods, Lovia used the Fallen Flute to drive the caged Monsters into Degeneration and then drank her advancement Potion.

• Luther learned from Antiya that Klein’s four-headed messenger was an Angel who had experienced death but persisted through special means.
• Luther read Klein’s guidance for helping Luna digest her Clown Potion and learned the Magician Potion formula.
• Luther learned that the Churches of Steam and Storms had clashed over the incident at Earl Hall’s residence, and he planned to show Klein the Antigonus Family’s notes on Wednesday.
• Lovia played the Fallen Flute, spreading its corrupting sound and her shadows across the square until the caged Monsters were swallowed by Degeneration.
• Lovia drank the pitch-black Potion after completing the ritual, beginning her advancement.

Lovia’s advancement failed when the Potion’s soul imprint of fanatical faith in the Fallen Creator clashed with her doubts. As the shadows consumed her and the True Creator turned His attention toward her, Derrick urged Colin to wait because he believed there might still be a way to save her.

• Lovia drank the Potion, but her black armor shattered as the shadows demanded that she believe in the Lord and her body began to disintegrate.
• Colin identified a powerful soul imprint in the Potion as the cause, and Derrick realized Lovia had not fully accepted the Fallen Creator.
• Lovia clung to the skull of her husband, and Colin rushed into the square to suppress the shadows with his sword.
• Lovia admitted that her doubts made her incompatible with the Potion and insisted she had never meant to betray the City of Silver.
• As the True Creator’s attention turned toward Lovia, Derrick hurried over and asked Colin to wait because there might still be a way.

Klein learned that Lovia was resisting the True Creator’s attempt to control her during her advancement and called on Luther to help save her. Luther decided he wanted to rescue her, but still needed a way to reach her in the Forsaken Land of the Gods.

• Derrick prayed to Klein for help as Lovia’s advancement went awry and her body began to collapse under the True Creator’s influence.
• Klein divined that Lovia was not a true believer of the True Creator and suspected she valued the City of Silver more than serving Him.
• Klein concluded that the Gray Fog could not stop the pollution from Lovia’s potion and sent Derrick’s plea to Luther.
• Luther chose to save Lovia and considered having her pray to the God of Blood and Shadows.

Luther asked Mr. Fool to pass the Honorific Name of the God of Blood and Shadows to Derrick so Derrick could try to save Lovia. Derrick recited it to Lovia as she neared losing control, while Luther’s power stirred the chaotic tide.

• Luther decided to share his Honorific Name with Lovia and asked Mr. Fool to relay it through Derrick.
• Mr. Fool passed Luther’s three-part Honorific Name, the God of Blood and Shadows, to Derrick.
• Derrick saw Lovia close to losing control and rushed to the square to stop Colin Iliad from attacking her.
• Derrick told Lovia to recite the Honorific Name; Lovia realized he had encountered more than one god and began reciting it as the Great Will descended.
• Luther touched a point of light above the chaotic tide, and the sea roared and trembled in response.

Luther used the sea tide to wash the True Creator’s soul imprints from Lovia’s potion and keep the deity’s will at bay. Lovia completed her advancement to Sequence 4 Black Knight, while Derrick wondered about the God of Blood and Shadows.

• Luther sensed Lovia’s prayer and used seawater under his control to wash the soul imprints from her potion without harming her soul.
• The True Creator’s will attacked Lovia, but Luther redirected the sea tide and drove the remaining imprints from her body.
• Lovia’s potion fused with her and she advanced successfully to Sequence 4 Black Knight.
• Derrick and Colin Iliad confirmed Lovia’s advancement, and the people of City of Silver cheered.
• Derrick wondered where Mister Temperance had learned about the God of Blood and Shadows, while a young man in the crowd repeated, “Blood God? Interesting...”

After Lovia advanced, Colin confined her for observation, but she soon met the God of Blood and Shadows in a vision. Luther learned why she had rejected the True Creator and revealed the truth about her dead husband, leaving Lovia grieving as the sea surrounded her.

• Colin ordered Lovia confined in the dungeon despite her successful advancement, and she accepted the order while suggesting a new balance might emerge between the Fool and the Blood God.
• Lovia entered the metal dungeon and was drawn into a vision of the God of Blood and Shadows, whom she thanked for saving her from the True Creator's corruption.
• Luther asked Lovia why she had rejected the True Creator, and she said her loyalty to City of Silver outweighed her faith in any deity.
• Luther revealed that Lovia's husband had given his life for her and that his flesh and will remained within her.
• Luther told Lovia that her husband's soul had dissipated and could never be brought back, and Lovia lowered her head and sobbed.

Luther learned that the True Creator’s Divine Kingdom lay within the Forsaken Land of the Gods and suspected the pilgrims’ route could lead inside. Klein returned to Backlund and prepared to host the Tarot Club.

• Luther told Lovia to return to her duties in the City of Silver and report unusual events to him rather than offer sacrifices or spread his faith.
• Luther traced Lovia’s surroundings through the mist, saw the inverted figure on a cross in the Forsaken Land of the Gods, and realized it had noticed him.
• Luther concluded that the True Creator’s Divine Kingdom was in the Forsaken Land and that the pilgrims’ route from the Sonia Sea might provide a way in.
• Klein, disguised as Dwayne Dantès, returned from St. Samuel Cathedral after hearing of a conflict involving police and Church of Steam and Church of Storms priests.
• Klein dismissed his servants and went Above the Gray Fog to begin the Tarot Club gathering.

At the Tarot Club meeting, Klein learned from Roselle’s diaries about the dangers Anchors helped an Angel resist and about the King of Angels. Cattleya confirmed Roselle had joined an ancient secret organization, then failed to buy information about the Abraham Family from Fors.

• Audrey greeted the Tarot Club and reflected on buying Bicycle Company shares and pledging their value to fund aid for East Borough civilians.
• Cattleya gave Klein three pages from Roselle’s diary, including his reflections on his cold, emerging personality after becoming an Angel.
• Klein connected Roselle’s experience to the corruption he and Audrey had suffered in the Hall of Truth and considered how Anchors helped preserve an Angel’s humanity.
• Klein read Roselle’s account of speaking with Mr. Door about the King of Angels and his recollections of an expedition to a strange Primitive Island.
• Cattleya asked whether Roselle had joined an ancient secret organization, and Klein confirmed that he had.
• Cattleya offered Fors one thousand pounds for information about the Abraham Family’s direct descendants, but Fors refused because she could not contact them soon.

At the Tarot Club, Alger revealed that he had advanced to Sequence 5, while the members arranged several exchanges and discussed their needs. The gathering ended with Audrey asking Temperance and World for permission to share what they had experienced in Groselle's Travels.

• Cattleya offered Fors up to 1,000 pounds to pass a message to Dorian Gray, and Fors agreed to relay it if she could find him.
• Audrey asked for a Hallucinatory Wind Chime Tree fruit, and Alger said he had a lead and would provide it the following week.
• Cattleya offered two items in exchange for Angel blood, and Temperance and World each accepted a trade for one drop.
• Emlyn requested his Sequence 5 potion formula but received no response before the gathering moved to free discussion.
• Temperance gave Fors her royalty payment and account details, pressed her to finish the next installment within a week, and asked her to introduce the Black Throne soon.
• Audrey asked Temperance and World whether she could tell the gathering about their experience in Groselle's Travels.

Klein and Luther shared information about the Kings of Angels, and Luther identified Adam and Amon as the Creator’s sons. Mr. Fool warned the Tarot Club to beware Spectators and Adam, leaving Luther to suspect that the Twilight Hermit Order was connected to Adam.

• Klein explained that Kings of Angels surpassed ordinary Sequence 1 Beyonders by possessing extra Sequence 1 characteristics, accommodating a Uniqueness, or both.
• Luther showed the Tarot Club a mural found in an Amon noble’s burial chamber and identified Adam as the Angel of Imagination and Amon as the Angel of Time, the Creator’s eldest and second sons.
• Luther speculated that Adam was still alive and secretly driving changes in the world.
• Mr. Fool warned the Tarot Club, “Beware Spectators, beware Adam,” and explained that all spoken words could be known.
• Luther asked whether the Twilight Hermit Order was related to Adam.

Luther and Klein discussed Adam, the Twilight Hermit Order, and the young Duke Negan’s troubles, while Luther revealed that Klein’s messenger was an Angel. The chapter left Klein and Luther planning to examine the Antigonus Family Notebook during Klein’s visit to a bishop the next day.

• Luther explained the Twilight Hermit Order to the Tarot Club and suggested Adam and the Psychology Alchemists might be influencing events, alarming Audrey.
• Luther and Klein began their Transmigrators’ Gathering and agreed that the Psychology Alchemists and the Royal Family might have worked together to target the young duke.
• Luther told Klein that Reinette Tinekerr was an Angel, leaving Klein astonished.
• Fors procrastinated on her writing and went out with Xio to withdraw 30 pounds from an anonymous account.
• Klein and Luther agreed that Klein would visit a bishop the next day so Luther could show him the Antigonus Family Notebook.

Xio followed a noble carriage to a volatile confrontation between the Churches of Steam and Storms, then was ambushed and captured by a hidden Demoness. Fors arrived just as Xio was in danger, carrying an ancient booklet and a black greatsword.

• Fors asked Xio about her MI9 assignment, and Xio said she had been monitoring a noble’s troubles near a villa in Empress Borough.
• Xio spotted a carriage linked to her father’s subordinate and followed it toward the villa while Fors waited at Bavat Bank.
• An explosion erupted near the villa, where members of the Churches of Steam and Storms clashed after a Beyonder was shot.
• Xio pursued a suspicious carriage, dodged an invisible attack, and fought a hidden Demoness who trapped her in magical threads.
• Fors rushed to Xio’s aid with an ancient booklet and a black greatsword.

Fors rescued Xio from a Demoness with a Demigod ability, then scolded her for acting alone. Meanwhile, Klein visited St. Samuel Cathedral as a cover while Luther went behind Chanis Gate to retrieve the Antigonus Family notebook.

• Fors used divination to find Xio in danger and arrived in time to fight the Demoness with the Blade of Flesh and Spirit.
• The Demoness was affected by the blade's influence, then retreated as Church Beyonders approached.
• Fors disrupted divination and escaped with Xio using Leymano's Travels, then scolded Xio for leaving alone.
• Xio explained the circumstances of the encounter, and Fors connected them to an organization known through the Tarot Club.
• Klein went to St. Samuel Cathedral under the pretense of studying with Bishop Elektra while signaling Luther to act.
• Luther used a document to enter Chanis Gate and went behind it to retrieve the Antigonus Family notebook.

Luther retrieved the Antigonus Family Notebook from Chanis Gate, and his illusory tide suppressed the dangerous visions and prayers it unleashed. When he entered the library, he found Arianna there instead of Klein and Bishop Elektra.

• Luther noticed a sealed room glowing with the same deep blue light as the hooded woman, then continued toward the notebook.
• Bishop Elektra began teaching Klein from Night's Revelation, and Klein expected Luther to hypnotize the bishop when he opened the library door.
• Luther found the Antigonus Family Notebook on a bone bookshelf and endured visions and prayers that the illusory tide in him silenced.
• Luther took the blank notebook, carried it out of Chanis Gate among other files, and went to the library to find Arianna waiting there.