Chapter Summaries

Chapter Summary: “You Are Wanted”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Luther confronts the dragon Gluttony in the streets, his newly integrated potion knowledge allowing him to wield the longsword with sudden mastery.
• Gluttony creates multiple illusory duplicates and hides them through Psychological Invisibility. Luther uses the Spectator Pathway’s vision to enter the Collective Subconscious and Spirituality Sky, where he detects the duplicates attempting to invade his Mind Island.
• The dragon attacks with a combination of a claw strike, dragon flames, and a powerful tail sweep. Luther recognizes the claw as a feint but is still struck by the tail, though his Black Knight armor absorbs much of the damage.
• Luther rapidly heals, repairs his armor with shadowy power, and takes to the air using wind. He catches Gluttony from behind and slashes through one of the dragon’s wings, sending him crashing into the street.
• Although Luther appears to have gained the advantage, Gluttony reveals that his real attack is taking place inside Luther’s mind, where his duplicates are closing in on Luther’s Mind Island.
• Meanwhile, Anderson attempts to flee through the chaos. He is intercepted by the bishop of the Church of Storms, several adventurers, Mandated Punishers, and soldiers.
• A government official named Carter identifies Anderson as a wanted criminal and accuses him of colluding with the “Blood Bishop,” demanding his surrender.

Character Developments

• Luther: Demonstrates the growing power and versatility of his Black Knight abilities. He quickly masters sword techniques, uses enhanced perception to analyze the spiritual world, withstands a devastating dragon attack, and learns to fly through control of the wind. His confidence and combat instincts are clear, though Gluttony’s mental assault exposes a potential vulnerability.
• Gluttony: Shows himself to be highly intelligent and tactically deceptive rather than relying solely on brute strength. He uses the claw attack as a feint, conceals his duplicates within the Subconscious World, and allows Luther to think he has won in order to set up a deeper attack.
• Anderson Hood: Reveals a practical instinct for survival by attempting to escape rather than remain near the battle. His reputation as the “Strongest Hunter of the Fog Sea” and a major criminal has made him the target of an organized pursuit.
• Carter: Appears outwardly polite but acts as an official representative of the authorities, formally declaring Anderson wanted and offering conditional leniency.
• Church of Storms bishop: Acts decisively against Anderson, using wind abilities to block his escape and leading the effort to capture him.

Significant Themes

• Physical strength versus mental warfare: The battle shifts from a direct clash of bodies and weapons to an invasion of Luther’s consciousness, emphasizing that supernatural combat occurs on multiple levels.
• Deception and misdirection: Both sides rely on hidden intentions. Gluttony masks his true plan behind apparent attacks and a seemingly failed defense, while Luther attempts to detect concealed threats through spiritual perception.
• Transformation and growing power: Luther’s mastery of new abilities reflects his continuing evolution into a more formidable supernatural being.
• The vulnerability beneath invincibility: Despite Luther’s armor, healing, and overwhelming presence, his Mind Island remains susceptible to infiltration.
• Law, reputation, and pursuit: Anderson’s past actions have made him a wanted fugitive, while the authorities frame his capture as a matter of justice and public order.

Character Interactions

• Luther and Gluttony engage in a tense battle defined by mutual assessment, feints, and counterattacks. Luther wounds the dragon, but Gluttony reveals that he has already launched a covert mental assault.
• Anderson is confronted by the Church of Storms and government forces. Carter speaks to him directly, identifying him as a wanted criminal and offering surrender, while the bishop and surrounding forces prevent escape.
• The chapter ends with both conflicts unresolved: Luther must defend his Mind Island from Gluttony’s duplicates, and Anderson is cornered by the authorities.

Chapter Summary: “Garden of Eden”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Luther’s consciousness divides during his battle with [Gluttony]. One part continues fighting physically, while the other observes his inner mind island.
• [Gluttony] sends multiple scaled avatars into Luther’s mind, hoping to invade and control his consciousness.
• Luther deliberately allows the avatars to enter before trapping them with the island’s black, chaotic tides. The avatars are swallowed, causing severe backlash to [Gluttony].
• Corruption spreads across [Gluttony]’s body, driving him toward madness. He saves himself by biting into his own back and forcibly tearing away the corrupted portion of his spirit.
• Realizing Luther is far more powerful than expected, [Gluttony] accuses Barros Hopkins of deceiving and manipulating him. He concludes that Barros deliberately pushed him into attacking Luther.
• [Gluttony] escapes through Dream Traversal, traveling through the dreams of a sleeping child. Luther recognizes the ability and follows him.
• The chase continues through several dream locations. [Gluttony] eventually enters the Garden of Eden, a strange nocturnal city populated by civilized, formally dressed animal-like beings. He transforms into a snake-like creature himself.
• Before [Gluttony] can confront Barros or recover, Luther arrives with his greatsword raised, carrying the remnant of one of [Gluttony]’s avatars.

Character Developments

• Luther demonstrates exceptional control over both his mind and the Spectator pathway. He successfully turns [Gluttony]’s invasion attempt into a trap and proves capable of tracking him through dreams.
• Luther’s calm confidence grows as he reveals that he understands [Gluttony]’s abilities and can counter them. His identity and capabilities appear to be much more significant than Barros led [Gluttony] to believe.
• [Gluttony] suffers a major psychological and physical setback. His failed attack damages his body and mind, forcing him to mutilate his own spirit to remove the corruption.
• [Gluttony] realizes he has been manipulated by Barros, whom he had trusted. His confidence collapses into panic, anger, and desperation as he tries to flee.
• Barros Hopkins remains off-screen but becomes increasingly important as the hidden manipulator behind the confrontation. His misinformation about Luther appears to have been intentional.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and betrayal: [Gluttony] discovers that his attack may have been engineered by Barros for unknown purposes.
• Control versus madness: Luther maintains complete command over his mind, while [Gluttony] nearly loses himself to corruption and must violently remove part of his spirit.
• Hidden identities and deception: Luther is not the “ordinary Black Knight” Barros described, and the Garden of Eden itself represents another layer of concealed reality.
• Predator and prey: Although [Gluttony] initially believes he is hunting Luther, the situation reverses; Luther traps, tracks, and corners him.
• Mind and dream as battlegrounds: The conflict moves beyond the physical world into consciousness, dreams, and supernatural mental landscapes.

Character Interactions

• Luther and [Gluttony] engage in a battle of mental invasion and counterattack, with Luther allowing [Gluttony]’s avatars into his mind before destroying them.
• Luther calmly confronts [Gluttony] about Barros, provoking the latter’s realization that he has been used.
• [Gluttony] flees through the dream of a sleeping child, disregarding the child and mother in his desperation.
• Luther pursues him across dream space and finally confronts him in the Garden of Eden, ending the chapter with [Gluttony] cornered and Luther ready to strike.

Chapter Summary: “Falling Dragon”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Luther uses a fragment of [Gluttony]’s mask—formed from the aura left in his body by [Gluttony]’s avatar—to enter a strange, dreamlike miniature world.
• He pursues [Gluttony] through a Gothic city populated by seemingly human pedestrians whose animal instincts emerge under stress.
• Luther attacks and apparently cuts [Gluttony] in half, but discovers he has only struck a discarded shell. [Gluttony] has escaped by shedding his body like a snake.
• [Gluttony] races toward a massive, horrifying cathedral constructed from corpses and skulls, hoping it will protect him.
• The cathedral’s influence overwhelms Luther with terrifying visions of hell and divine judgment, briefly distracting him.
• The cathedral’s radiance begins destroying [Gluttony]’s mask. The mask fragment in Luther’s possession also disintegrates and is drawn into the cathedral.
• As the mask vanishes, the entire miniature world starts to fade. [Gluttony] desperately asks why the mask has abandoned him, but his words are cut off as his body mutates uncontrollably into a dragon.
• The transformed [Gluttony] roars, causing the bizarre world to collapse and returning Luther to Toscarter Island.
• On the island, Anderson is surrounded by red-uniformed soldiers and Beyonders from the Church of Storms. He evades their steam-powered bullets and wind blades but remains focused on escape rather than killing his opponents.
• The local administrator, Carter, boasts that a mysterious powerful lord will defeat [Blood Bishop], allowing Carter to capture Anderson and gain political influence.
• Carter reveals that the lord can transform into a dragon—only for a gigantic dragon to crash onto the island moments later, with a black knight standing on its head.

Character Developments

• Luther: Demonstrates sharp combat instincts and an increased understanding of the mask fragment’s function. He successfully tracks [Gluttony], resists the cathedral’s supernatural visions, and returns to the real world as a major confrontation begins.
• [Gluttony]: Reveals his deceptive, survival-oriented nature by abandoning a shell instead of confronting Luther directly. His dependence on the mask becomes clear, and once it is destroyed, he loses control and transforms into a dragon.
• Anderson: Shows his extraordinary agility and combat instincts while deliberately restraining himself. His reluctance to kill the soldiers and Church Beyonders suggests caution, morality, or concern about escalating the situation.
• Carter: Becomes increasingly arrogant and politically motivated. He sees Anderson’s capture as a path to restoring his status and overestimates his control over events.
• The Bishop: Maintains a more realistic assessment of Anderson’s strength, warning Carter that Anderson could be extremely dangerous if he fought without restraint.
• The mysterious black knight/lord: Makes a dramatic entrance atop the dragon, confirming Carter’s claims about the lord’s power and setting up the next stage of the conflict.

Significant Themes

• Illusion versus reality: The miniature city is a false world, and [Gluttony]’s discarded body is another layer of deception. The collapse of the city exposes how unstable and dreamlike the entire confrontation is.
• Loss of control: [Gluttony]’s transformation shows the danger of losing mastery over one’s body and powers. His desperate reaction contrasts with his earlier calculated escape.
• Predation and survival: The animalistic behavior of the city’s inhabitants, [Gluttony]’s shedding of his body, and Anderson’s evasive fighting all emphasize instinctive survival.
• Power and political ambition: Carter views the battle primarily as an opportunity for personal advancement, while the bishop focuses more cautiously on the actual danger posed by Anderson.
• Monstrous divinity and judgment: The corpse-built cathedral, skulls, hellish visions, and radiant destruction of the mask suggest a terrifying sacred power associated with death, punishment, and judgment.

Character Interactions

• Luther and [Gluttony]: Their pursuit is dominated by deception and fear. Luther attacks directly, while [Gluttony] evades him and seeks refuge in the cathedral.
• [Gluttony] and the Corpse Cathedral: [Gluttony] treats the cathedral as a place of salvation, but its light instead destroys the mask that sustains him.
• Anderson and the Church forces: Anderson avoids killing his attackers, while the soldiers and Beyonders coordinate to trap him. The bishop recognizes that their apparent advantage depends on Anderson continuing to hold back.
• Carter and the bishop: Carter is confident and boastful, hoping to exploit the situation politically; the bishop is skeptical and reminds him of Anderson’s overwhelming potential.
• Carter and the mysterious lord: Carter’s admiration and confidence in the lord are immediately validated by the dragon’s arrival, though the lord’s appearance also transforms Carter’s boast into a moment of terror.

Chapter Summary: “First Victory”

Key Plot Points and Events

• The dragon [Gluttony], having lost control, releases an unrestrained demigod-level roar across the island. The sound terrifies ordinary people and alarms Beyonders, who witness a legendary dragon battling a black knight in the sky.
• Luther, newly advanced to the Black Knight level, confronts the dragon. The Red Angel—Medici—inside him encourages the fight.
• Using the Hunter ability Weakness Detection, Luther identifies a tiny vulnerable point on the dragon’s forehead.
• Luther provokes the dragon with several fireballs, then charges directly toward it rather than retreating from its attack.
• As the dragon prepares its transparent Dragon Breath, Luther pierces its forehead with the Blade of Flesh and Spirit, striking its fatal weakness and killing it instantly.
• Luther lands on the dragon’s corpse, causing a powerful impact that throws people nearby to the ground. The crowd, already frightened by the dragon, becomes even more terrified of the knight who killed it.
• Luther notices Anderson surrounded by Church of Storms Beyonders, adventurers, and Loen soldiers. He deliberately redirects the falling dragon toward Anderson’s location.
• He confirms that the dragon was indeed [Gluttony] and warns Anderson not to approach too closely because the dead demigod’s lingering spirituality could damage his sanity.

Character Developments

• Luther achieves his first major victory after becoming a Black Knight. The battle proves that he possesses a decisive advantage over ordinary Sequence 4 Beyonders, especially when he can exploit an opponent’s weakness.
• Luther displays greater confidence and combat decisiveness by confronting the dragon head-on instead of avoiding its charge.
• His victory also deepens his concerns about the Psychology Alchemists. He recognizes that his conflict with their organization may worsen and wonders about the mysterious name [Gluttony] cried out before dying—apparently the object of his faith or allegiance.
• [Gluttony] is shown to have completely lost his rationality. Once abandoned by his supposed support or faith, he becomes driven almost entirely by instinct and beastlike aggression.
• Anderson realizes that Luther’s public rescue and conversation with him effectively identifies them as associates. He expects to become wanted and considers joining Gascoigne’s pirate crew, but quickly recovers his usual composure and curiosity.

Significant Themes

• Power and control: [Gluttony] represents the danger of a demigod losing control, while Luther’s restraint and precision demonstrate the superiority of disciplined power.
• First victory and advancement: Luther’s successful battle marks an important milestone, validating his new Black Knight abilities.
• Fear and reputation: The islanders’ terror shifts from the dragon to Luther, showing how easily a powerful protector can also become a frightening figure.
• Faith and abandonment: [Gluttony]’s final cry suggests that belief or dependence on a higher power contributed to his desperation and madness.
• Public consequences: Luther’s actions save Anderson but also expose their connection, demonstrating that victories can create new political and social dangers.

Character Interactions

• The Red Angel, Medici, comments from within Luther and encourages him during the confrontation.
• Luther and [Gluttony] communicate primarily through battle: Luther deliberately provokes the dragon, while [Gluttony] responds with instinctive rage.
• Luther publicly addresses Anderson after landing, confirming that he deliberately came to his location.
• Anderson reacts with humor and excitement despite his precarious situation, while Luther warns him about the spiritual danger of approaching the corpse.
• The surrounding authorities and civilians do not intervene, intimidated by Luther’s overwhelming power and the spectacle of the dragon’s death.

Chapter Summary: “A Sigh”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Luther defeats and kills the Demigod-level dragon, [Gluttony], leaving its enormous corpse embedded in a smoking crater. The surrounding crowd is terrified of both the dead dragon and Luther, who appears in the form of a black knight.
• Luna, Luther’s black cat, boldly approaches the dragon, checks that it is truly dead, and slaps its head before returning protectively to Luther.
• Luther considers using his Grazing ability to absorb [Gluttony], but just as he prepares to do so, he senses an emotionless and dangerous gaze watching him from behind.
• Although Luther searches the surroundings with enhanced vision and asks M whether she noticed anything, no watcher can be found. He remains convinced that the presence was real rather than an illusion.
• Suspecting that [Gluttony] may have been deliberately sent to him as a trap, Luther decides to question the dragon’s soul before Grazing it. He forcibly extracts the soul and attempts to use Spirit Channeling.
• A mysterious figure, apparently dressed in white clerical robes, departs while an unseen presence emits a sigh. Immediately afterward, [Gluttony]’s soul explodes and is completely destroyed, preventing Luther from learning anything.
• Luther concludes that [Gluttony] was likely manipulated or used as a disposable pawn by the mysterious watcher.
• He questions the local bishop of the Church of Storms and learns that the ambush was organized by Carter, the island’s chief affairs officer.
• Luther awakens and hypnotizes Carter, discovering that the man’s memories have been altered and that he no longer remembers anything concerning [Gluttony].
• The bishop reveals that he had already reported the suspected appearance of the Blood Bishop to Bayam. Cardinal Kottman, known as the Sea King of the Rorsted Sea, has begun traveling to the island.

Character Developments

• Luther: Demonstrates overwhelming power by killing [Gluttony], but becomes cautious and suspicious when he senses an unseen enemy. Rather than blindly Grazing the corpse, he recognizes the possibility of a supernatural trap and tries to investigate first. His caution and strategic judgment grow, though he remains unsettled by the unknown entity capable of destroying a Demigod’s soul.
• Anderson: Though exhausted and injured, Anderson remains alert and helps assess the situation. He reacts with shock upon learning that Cardinal Kottman is coming, emphasizing the seriousness of the threat.
• Luna: Displays her fearless and affectionate nature. Her slap to the dragon’s corpse provides a brief moment of humor, while her return to Luther’s feet suggests loyalty and protectiveness.
• The local bishop: Cooperates with Luther and provides information about the ambush and the report sent to Bayam.
• Carter: Is revealed to be an unwitting or manipulated participant. His memories have been tampered with, indicating that a powerful Spectator Pathway figure may be involved.
• The mysterious watcher: Remains unidentified but is shown to possess frightening influence. The figure appears able to arrange [Gluttony]’s encounter with Luther, manipulate memories, and annihilate a Demigod’s soul remotely or through an unseen mechanism.

Significant Themes

• Power and vulnerability: Although Luther has just defeated a Demigod, he is immediately reminded that greater or more mysterious powers may still threaten him.
• Suspicion of apparent fortune: The easy opportunity to Graze [Gluttony] seems too convenient, reinforcing the idea that “free” gains may conceal dangerous costs.
• Manipulation and hidden conspiracies: Altered memories, engineered encounters, and the destruction of evidence suggest a larger scheme operating behind the ambush.
• The limits of knowledge: Luther’s abilities cannot identify the watcher, and the destruction of [Gluttony]’s soul removes the one source that might have explained the trap.
• Fear and authority: The crowd’s submission to Luther, and Anderson’s alarm at Kottman’s arrival, show how supernatural rank determines social power and inspires instinctive terror.

Character Interactions

• Luther speaks gently and familiarly with Luna, contrasting with the fear he inspires in everyone else.
• Anderson questions Luther about Grazing [Gluttony] and later helps recognize the danger posed by the unseen presence.
• M confirms that she did not detect the watcher, deepening Luther’s uncertainty and suggesting that the entity operates beyond ordinary perception.
• Luther and the bishop exchange information, with the bishop identifying Carter as the ambush’s organizer and warning that Kottman is approaching.
• Luther uses Hypnosis on Carter to silence and interrogate him, but finds that another force has already erased or altered the relevant memories.
• The unseen figure’s sigh and destruction of [Gluttony]’s soul function as a direct, ominous intervention in Luther’s actions.

Chapter Summary: “Building a Fleet”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jahn Kottman, the Sequence 3 Sea King and powerful ruler of the Rorsted Archipelago’s Beyonder world, learns of the situation on Toscarter Island and is expected to arrive from Bayam within hours.
• Realizing they cannot risk confronting a Sea King, Luther and Anderson decide to leave immediately rather than spend time recruiting crew or purchasing a ship through normal means.
• Anderson, now wanted throughout the archipelago because of Carter’s telegram, accepts Luther’s earlier offer to join his crew. He becomes the second crew member and is appointed first mate.
• Luther’s group publicly humiliates the Toscarter authorities by parading a slain dragon through the slums. A local administrator is bound beside the corpse, while Loenese soldiers are forced to drag the float.
• Anderson throws money from the authorities’ treasury to the impoverished locals and announces that their fleet is recruiting. He emphasizes that their captain is the “Blood Bishop” who attacked the King of Loen, presenting the fleet as a force of resistance against Loenese oppression.
• The display inspires the islanders, including a young man named Philia, to seek freedom and join the fleet.
• At the same time, Luther takes over another pirate captain’s ship, meeting little resistance. In only a few hours, the group acquires both a vessel and new potential recruits.

Character Development

• Luther demonstrates decisiveness and strategic thinking. Instead of abandoning his plans because of the Sea King’s approach, he rapidly adapts and uses spectacle, propaganda, and intimidation to build a fleet.
• Anderson accepts his new identity as a pirate after becoming wanted. He embraces freedom over returning to the protection and restrictions of the Church of Knowledge, and quickly proves useful as a charismatic recruiter and propagandist.
• Philia changes from a frustrated, resentful young man into an inspired potential revolutionary. His anger at Loenese oppression is transformed into a desire to join the fleet and pursue a meaningful life.
• The local population shifts from fear and passivity to excitement and collective action after witnessing the authorities defeated and their wealth redistributed.

Significant Themes

• Freedom versus oppression: Anderson chooses piracy to escape institutional restrictions, while Philia sees the sea as an escape from colonial domination and poverty.
• Rebellion and resistance: The fleet is presented not merely as a pirate organization but as a symbol of resistance against Loenese rule.
• Power through spectacle: Luther and Anderson use the dragon’s corpse, the humiliated administrator, the forced labor of soldiers, and the public distribution of money to reshape public opinion.
• The awakening of the oppressed: The people’s fear gives way to joy, anger, and hope when they see their rulers defeated.
• Pragmatism and adaptability: Faced with the imminent arrival of a vastly stronger enemy, Luther finds an unconventional way to obtain ships and crew quickly.

Character Interactions

• Luther and Anderson establish a formal captain–first mate relationship, with Anderson pledging himself to Luther’s command.
• Anderson directly addresses the islanders in both Loenese and their local language, connecting the fleet’s cause to their grievances.
• Philia’s interaction with the public spectacle becomes the emotional center of the chapter: witnessing Anderson’s actions awakens his long-suppressed desire for freedom.
• Luther intimidates and takes control of a pirate captain’s ship, demonstrating the growing authority of his emerging fleet.

Chapter Summary: Fallen Shadow

Key Plot Points and Events

• At Toscarter Island’s harbor, Anderson’s recruits gather alongside pirates whom Luther has summoned from local gambling houses, bars, and pirate circles.
• Several pirate captains reluctantly present their ships to Luther, hoping to avoid losing them while also fearing that he may accept them into his fleet.
• Sea Serpent Walter Gout offers the best vessel: the Doe, a recently built, fast three-masted ship equipped with twelve rapid-fire cannons and plentiful ammunition.
• Anderson inspects the ship and confirms that it is seaworthy. Luther chooses the Doe as his initial flagship.
• Sea Serpent then offers his entire pirate crew to Luther, hoping to join what may become the fleet of a future Sea King. The other captains quickly imitate him and volunteer their crews.
• Luther asks Anderson about the pirates’ histories. Anderson exposes their brutality, listing atrocities such as massacres, sinking ships without survivors, and forcing innocent passengers to fight.
• Luther states that his fleet will target Loen officials and rival pirates but will not harm civilians. He rejects the captains as unsuitable.
• The pirates falsely promise to reform and claim they will follow Luther’s principles. Tumor Leg Flint privately intends only to deceive Luther until the fleet becomes powerful.
• Luther reveals that he can perceive the truth through their shadows. Their shadows animate, exposing a dark, degenerate aura and confirming that the pirates’ promises are insincere.

Character Developments

• Luther demonstrates growing authority and moral resolve. Though he is still inexperienced with ships and fleet management, he is decisive in selecting the Doe and firmly establishes ethical standards for his fleet.
• He also reveals a powerful supernatural ability: detecting hidden intentions through the behavior of people’s shadows. This makes him far more perceptive and intimidating than the pirates expect.
• Anderson acts as Luther’s knowledgeable first mate, inspecting the ship and providing detailed intelligence about the pirates’ crimes. His former experience as a Hunter makes him especially useful.
• Sea Serpent Walter Gout shows practical intelligence and ambition. He recognizes Luther’s overwhelming strength and attempts to secure a place in Luther’s rising organization by offering both his ship and crew.
• Tumor Leg Flint is exposed as especially cruel and manipulative. Although he loudly promises to reform, he privately plans to deceive Luther.
• Philia, one of Anderson’s recruits, becomes increasingly anxious that the experienced pirate crews will displace the ordinary recruits. She resolves to find a way aboard the ship, even by sneaking on.

Significant Themes

• Power and submission: The pirates’ fear of Luther demonstrates the enormous gap between his strength and theirs. Even powerful captains surrender their ships and independence to him.
• Morality versus self-interest: Luther wants to build a fleet with clear limits—one that fights officials and pirates without victimizing civilians. The pirates, however, are driven primarily by survival and opportunity.
• Truth hidden beneath appearances: The pirates’ polite smiles and verbal promises conceal greed, fear, and murderous intentions. Their animated shadows symbolize the corruption they attempt to hide.
• Redemption and moral standards: Luther offers the possibility of reform, but he demands genuine change rather than empty obedience. The pirates’ inability to sincerely accept his principles disqualifies them.
• The formation of a new power: Choosing a flagship and recruiting personnel marks the beginning of Luther’s fleet and his emergence as a major force at sea.

Character Interactions

• Luther questions and evaluates the pirate captains while they attempt to ingratiate themselves with him.
• Anderson supports Luther by inspecting the Doe and revealing the captains’ criminal histories.
• Sea Serpent’s offer to join Luther prompts the other captains to compete for positions in the new fleet.
• Luther repeatedly challenges the pirates to confirm their promises, giving them opportunities to be honest.
• The pirates respond with collective deception, but Luther’s shadow-based ability exposes the contradiction between their words and their true intentions.

Chapter Summary: “Setting Sail”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Luther unleashes his supernatural power on the pirates in the harbor. Their shadows rise and consume them, transforming them into shadowy beings that become his Flesh Puppets.
• Sea Serpent Walter survives because he had generally followed the King of the Five Seas’ rule against killing and abusing women. He surrenders and is allowed to join Luther’s fleet as boatswain.
• Anderson, now acting as Luther’s first mate, helps recruit the remaining locals and pirates. Most flee in terror, while those who stay are motivated by desperation, resentment toward Loen, or a lack of alternatives.
• Luther decides to compensate for the shortage of crew by using the transformed pirates to operate additional captured ships.
• Anderson assigns roles to the survivors:
  • Walter becomes boatswain.
  • A fat man becomes the cook.
  • Several people serve as sailors.
  • An alcoholic former Loen navy sailor, secretly a Sequence 8 Beyonder, is accepted aboard despite his suspicious background.
• Luther’s ship, the Doe, becomes the flagship of his new pirate crew. Anderson commands the crew as they raise the anchor and set sail.
• A favorable wind carries the Doe out of the harbor, followed by the other pirate ships, which are crewed by stiff, corpse-like Flesh Puppets.
• Philia leaves Toscarter Island for the first time. His initial fear gives way to excitement as he imagines that his legendary life is beginning.

Character Developments

• Luther displays his terrifying ruthlessness and supernatural authority. He treats the defeated pirates as resources, turning them into Flesh Puppets and calmly building a fleet from the ruins of the harbor’s pirate forces.
• Anderson adapts quickly to life as Luther’s first mate. He embraces Luther’s frightening methods, manages recruitment and crew assignments, and shows confidence and humor even while intimidating the new cook.
• Walter shifts from pirate captain to submissive survivor. His pragmatic explanation for following the no-killing rule earns Luther’s approval, and he accepts the lower-ranking position of boatswain to remain alive.
• Philia experiences a major emotional transition, moving from paralysis and terror to wonder and excitement. Leaving the island awakens his ambition and sense of adventure.
• The former Loen sailor is introduced as a mysterious and potentially important figure. His navy background and Sequence 8 status suggest hidden motives or a troubled past.
• The surviving pirates and locals are reduced to frightened, obedient recruits, while the dead pirates lose their individuality and become extensions of Luther’s will.

Significant Themes

• Power and fear: Luther’s ability to annihilate and reanimate an entire pirate force establishes overwhelming supernatural dominance.
• Sin and judgment: Luther claims that shadows reveal the corruption within a person’s heart, presenting the pirates’ destruction as a supernatural punishment for their sins and lack of repentance.
• Pragmatism and survival: Walter’s defense of his behavior emphasizes practical self-interest rather than morality, while the survivors accept dangerous conditions simply to live.
• Transformation and loss of humanity: The pirates’ conversion into Flesh Puppets symbolizes the complete destruction of their identities and autonomy.
• Freedom and new beginnings: Philia’s departure from Toscarter Island represents both physical escape and the beginning of a new life.
• The creation of authority: Luther’s fleet is formed not through loyalty or shared ideals, but through terror, coercion, and the forced organization of the defeated.

Character Interactions

• Luther judges Walter’s restrained conduct and permits him to join the crew after Anderson recommends him.
• Anderson acts as an intermediary between Luther and the survivors, questioning them about their skills and organizing them into roles.
• Anderson’s teasing threat toward the cook demonstrates how he uses humor to reinforce Luther’s intimidating authority.
• Luther and Anderson accept the former navy sailor despite his suspicious identity, choosing to investigate him later rather than reject a useful recruit.
• Philia observes the horrifying power of Luther and Anderson’s control over the group, then becomes caught up in the crew’s departure and emerging sense of adventure.
• The final image contrasts the living crew aboard the Doe with the lifeless Flesh Puppets operating the trailing pirate ships, emphasizing Luther’s unnatural and oppressive fleet.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• In Backlund’s East Borough, Xio Derecha meets the mysterious Gold Mask, who offers her a new commission. It is not related to the Blood Bishop, who has apparently left Backlund and appeared in the Sonia Sea.
• The Gold Mask asks Xio to investigate the disappearance of Feysac’s third princess, Sophia Einhorn. He offers at least 1,000 pounds for reliable information but refuses to explain why MI9 is interested in her disappearance.
• Newspapers report that the Blood Bishop is now using the name Alexander Gascoigne. With the help of a former pirate hunter, he attacked Toscarter Island, assaulted its government, injured or killed soldiers, incapacitated the local administrator, stole money, and recruited pirates and rioters.
• The Blood Bishop publicly declares his intention to form a pirate crew and oppose the Loen Royal Family. Kingdom Navy Admiral Amyrius Levitt vows that the Royal Navy will capture him and bring him to justice.
• Xio is shocked by the scale and boldness of the Blood Bishop’s actions, realizing why the MI9 investigator appeared so troubled.
• Elsewhere in the Sonia Sea, Luther reads a City of Silver account of the Mythological Era. It describes the Creator entering slumber and the Ancient Gods dividing His remaining authority among themselves.
• Luther compares this version of history with the simpler creation myths recorded in the Seven Gods’ Holy Bibles. He asks Medici which account is closer to the truth, but the Red Angel remains silent.

Character Developments

• Xio Derecha: Continues working as an investigator and bounty hunter while becoming increasingly curious about both the Blood Bishop and Sophia’s disappearance. Her physical strength is emphasized when she forces her way through a crowd to obtain the newspaper.
• The Gold Mask: Reveals that he has access to sensitive intelligence and MI9 connections. His unusually secretive attitude concerning Sophia suggests that her disappearance involves important political or supernatural matters.
• The Blood Bishop/Alexander Gascoigne: Evolves from a wanted criminal hiding in Backlund into an openly defiant revolutionary and pirate leader. His attack demonstrates growing ambition, resources, and willingness to challenge Loen directly.
• Luther: Shows scholarly curiosity and skepticism toward official religious history. He recognizes discrepancies between the City of Silver’s records and the Seven Gods’ scriptures and seeks Medici’s ancient knowledge.
• Medici: His silence is notable, implying either reluctance, uncertainty, or a deeper reason for refusing to comment on the origins of the world and the Ancient Gods.

Significant Themes

• Rebellion against authority: The Blood Bishop’s public opposition to the Loen Royal Family escalates the conflict from criminal pursuit to open political defiance.
• Political intrigue and secrecy: Sophia’s disappearance and MI9’s refusal to explain its interest suggest hidden international or supernatural schemes.
• Conflicting versions of history: The differences between the City of Silver’s mythology and the Seven Gods’ official scriptures raise questions about propaganda, lost knowledge, and the true history of the world.
• The danger of forbidden knowledge: Luther’s investigation into creation myths hints that uncovering the truth about the Creator and Ancient Gods may be significant—and potentially dangerous.
• Growing disorder: The Blood Bishop’s actions disrupt both the authorities and the underground Beyonder world, contributing to broader instability.

Character Interactions

• Xio and the Gold Mask: Their meeting establishes Sophia’s disappearance as a new mystery while also confirming that the Blood Bishop has moved overseas.
• Xio and the public: Her attempt to obtain the newspaper places her directly amid the public reaction to the Blood Bishop’s shocking actions.
• Blood Bishop and the Loen authorities: His attack on Toscarter Island and declaration against the Royal Family create an explicit confrontation with the Kingdom Navy.
• Luther and Medici: Luther seeks Medici’s superior historical knowledge, but Medici’s refusal to respond creates suspense and suggests that the ancient truth may be personally significant to him.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Luther reads ancient City of Silver records to Medici, revealing that after the Creator awakened, He reclaimed the authorities of fallen or defeated Ancient Gods.
• The records describe eight Kings of Angels who once surrounded the Creator, including an Angel of Time—possibly Amon—and an Angel of Fate, likely Ouroboros.
• Luther learns that the City of Silver still worships the Creator, despite having become a struggling city-state in the Forsaken Land of the Gods after the Cataclysm.
• He questions Medici about his connection to the Creator and whether the True Creator is the degenerated form of the original Creator.
• Medici reacts violently to Luther’s provocations, injuring Luther through the connection between their bodies and warning him never to question the Lord in his presence.
• Anderson enters the captain’s cabin and reveals that he originally came from the Church of Knowledge. He left because its rigid, classroom-like environment was suffocating, though he still provides the church with occasional assistance.
• Anderson then asks Luther what organization or power stands behind him, leaving Luther momentarily caught off guard.

Character Developments

• Luther: Demonstrates growing curiosity about the ancient history of the Creator, the Kings of Angels, and Medici’s past. He deliberately provokes Medici to expose information and takes some satisfaction in retaliating against Medici’s former mockery. His reaction to Anderson’s confession is calm and unsurprised, showing his ability to read people and conceal his own thoughts.
• Medici: Reveals that he followed the Creator who awakened, confirming a direct connection to the ancient divine order. His otherwise arrogant and irreverent personality gives way to intense loyalty and anger when Luther insults or questions the Creator, hinting at deep faith and unresolved pain.
• Anderson: Shows honesty and concern by confessing his affiliation with the Church of Knowledge. His nervousness suggests that he values his relationship with Luther and fears being distrusted. He is portrayed as knowledgeable, somewhat informal, and uncomfortable with institutional restrictions.

Significant Themes

• Faith and degeneration: The chapter raises the possibility that the True Creator is the original Creator after falling into corruption, challenging the distinction between divine salvation and monstrous degeneration.
• Lost history and surviving belief: The City of Silver’s records preserve knowledge of a forgotten mythological age, while its people continue worshiping the Creator despite catastrophe and decline.
• Loyalty versus skepticism: Medici’s unwavering devotion contrasts sharply with Luther’s probing doubts and mockery.
• Hidden identities and affiliations: Both Medici’s ancient allegiance and Anderson’s ties to the Church of Knowledge show that characters carry concealed histories and loyalties.
• Trust among companions: Luther and Medici’s relationship is marked by mutual antagonism, while Anderson’s confession tests whether his partnership with Luther can withstand the revelation.

Character Interactions

• Luther questions Medici about the Creator, the Kings of Angels, and the True Creator, using deliberate provocation to force a response.
• Medici refuses to discuss certain matters until Luther’s insults become unbearable, then lashes out and warns him to show respect.
• Anderson discovers Luther injured but is reassured when Luther heals himself.
• Anderson confesses his past affiliation with the Church of Knowledge; Luther responds without suspicion, surprising Anderson.
• The chapter ends with Anderson turning the question back on Luther, asking about his own backing and potentially threatening Luther’s carefully maintained secrecy.

Summary: “To Oravi Island”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Anderson asks Luther whether a powerful organization or force is supporting him. Luther vaguely mentions the Fool and internally reflects on his uncertain relationship with the Church of the Evernight Goddess and the Tarot Club.
• Anderson then asks where the fleet should go. Since the pirates fled Toscarter Island to avoid Sea King Jahn Kottman, they now need a clear destination and purpose.
• Luther summons Sea Serpent Walter to ask about nearby shipping routes. Walter identifies two possibilities: southwest toward Symeem Island or northwest toward Oravi Island.
• Oravi Island is important because Anderson needs to find a Fate Councilor there to resolve the misfortune caused by Ouroboros.
• After confirming that the fleet has sufficient supplies and that both routes may encounter the Loen Navy, Luther chooses Oravi Island. The sailors celebrate because they finally have a definite objective.
• Luther questions Walter about his pathway and potion progression. Walter reveals that he belongs to the Lawyer Pathway and has already digested his current potion but lacks the next formula.
• Luther hints that he may reward Walter with a Sequence 7 Potion if he performs well, and extends the same promise to Anderson.
• When Anderson jokes that he needs a Demigod-level formula, Luther reveals a Card of Blasphemy containing the complete formulas for the Hunter Pathway, including the Sequence 0 Red Priest formula.
• Anderson is immediately awed and changes his attitude, solemnly declaring his loyalty to Luther. Luna silently observes humanity’s quick change in behavior.

Character Developments

• Luther demonstrates increasing authority and confidence as captain. He carefully weighs navigation, supplies, and possible naval encounters before selecting Oravi Island. His possession of the Card of Blasphemy also reveals that he has access to extremely rare and powerful resources.
• Anderson shows both practical dependence on Luther and personal urgency. He is eager to travel to Oravi Island to cure his Ouroboros-related misfortune. His reaction to the Card of Blasphemy reveals his deep interest in advancement and his readiness to flatter Luther when valuable rewards are offered.
• Walter gains greater importance as a useful and knowledgeable subordinate. His expertise in shipping routes helps determine the fleet’s next move. He is also reminded that loyalty and competence may earn him advancement along the Lawyer Pathway.
• The sailors regain morale once Luther announces a clear destination, emphasizing their need for leadership and direction.
• Luna acts as an amused observer, highlighting the absurdity of Anderson’s sudden change in attitude.

Significant Themes

• Leadership and purpose: A pirate fleet cannot function without a destination or mission. Luther’s decision restores order and morale.
• Power and loyalty: Anderson’s immediate shift from casual conversation to solemn devotion shows how strongly extraordinary power influences people’s allegiance.
• Pragmatism and manipulation: Luther withholds information, evaluates risks, and uses the Card of Blasphemy to control the situation and reinforce his authority.
• Advancement and supernatural hierarchy: Potion formulas, Pathways, and Sequence levels remain central to the characters’ ambitions and social relationships.
• Faith and independence: Luther distinguishes between being a “follower” of the Fool and possessing genuine religious faith, reflecting his cautious attitude toward gods and organizations.

Character Interactions

• Luther and Anderson discuss the mysterious force behind Luther, the fleet’s destination, and possible rewards. Their conversation mixes strategic planning with teasing and negotiation.
• Luther questions Walter about both navigation and his supernatural advancement, establishing expectations between captain and subordinate.
• Luther’s revelation of the Hunter Pathway Card of Blasphemy dramatically changes Anderson’s demeanor, turning his joking request for a potion formula into an exaggerated declaration of loyalty.
• Luna’s quiet reaction provides a humorous contrast to Anderson’s opportunistic behavior.

Chapter Summary: “King of Blood”

Plot Points and Events

• Anderson asks Luther to choose a pirate title now that he has become a pirate captain and Demigod. He argues that Luther needs a powerful name to rival the famous rulers of the seas.
• Luther chooses “King of Blood,” building on his established reputation as the Blood Bishop.
• Anderson enthusiastically begins redesigning the ship to match the new title, planning blood-red sails. His excitement causes chaos when the ship turns and he crashes into a spar, leading to a humorous argument with the helmsman.
• The crew sails toward Oravi Island. Luther withdraws to the captain’s cabin because the noisy, disorderly atmosphere distracts him from studying ancient texts.
• With the weekly Tarot Club meeting approaching, Luther reviews the spoils from the battle on Toscarter Island. His most valuable acquisition is the Sequence 4 Manipulator Beyonder Characteristic taken from Gluttony.
• Luther reflects on why he did not Graze Gluttony, sensing that an unknown force may have manipulated Gluttony’s actions and possibly altered the Beyonder Characteristic.
• The crew has also seized considerable wealth from Toscarter Island’s administrator and merchant association. Some of it was distributed to the locals, while the remainder remains aboard the ship.
• Luther considers how to act as a Black Knight. He interprets the role as one who guards and spreads degeneration, noting that contaminating pirates’ shadows has already produced slight potion digestion.
• He identifies Vice Admiral of Ailment Tracy, likely connected to the Demoness Sect, as a possible target whose defeat could help advance his Acting and provide information about the Demonesses.
• Luther also remembers the key to the Black Throne and considers the Ghost Ship from the Solomon Empire a more suitable future flagship than the Doe.
• Near the Tarot Club’s meeting time, he summons M and has her create a Virtual Personality to ascend above the Gray Fog.

Character Developments

• Luther embraces his new identity as a pirate ruler by accepting the title King of Blood. He remains cautious and analytical, especially regarding Gluttony’s suspicious Beyonder Characteristic.
• His understanding of the Black Knight potion develops: he concludes that degeneration must be actively protected and propagated, not merely inflicted randomly.
• Luther’s hostility toward the Demoness Sect deepens, motivated by the deaths they owe him and his desire to uncover their secrets.
• Anderson quickly adapts to life as Luther’s first mate. He is ambitious, energetic, and eager to promote the crew’s new image, though his reckless behavior creates comic disorder.
• Medici remains withdrawn and uncooperative, staying silent in the corner of the cabin.
• Luna, the black cat, displays its usual mysterious behavior by claiming the treasure chests as its preferred resting place.

Significant Themes

• Identity and reputation: Luther’s new title formalizes his public image and marks his transition into a major force on the seas.
• Power and ambition: Anderson’s comparison to the great sea rulers emphasizes the political and symbolic importance of titles.
• Corruption and degeneration: Luther’s Black Knight Acting centers on spreading and controlling moral or spiritual decay.
• Suspicion and hidden manipulation: Gluttony’s strange Beyonder Characteristic suggests unseen schemes and warns Luther against blindly using his gains.
• Chaos versus control: Anderson and the crew bring rowdy pirate energy, contrasting with Luther’s disciplined planning and long-term strategy.
• Preparation for greater conflict: Luther’s plans involving Tracy, the Demoness Sect, and the Black Throne indicate that larger confrontations are approaching.

Character Interactions

• Anderson acts as both adviser and flatterer, encouraging Luther to choose a grand title while hoping to gain the Card of Blasphemy.
• Anderson’s reckless sail-climbing leads to a profane exchange with the helmsman, while the sailors cheer them on.
• Luther maintains a distant, supervisory relationship with the crew, tolerating their disorder but retreating from it when he needs to think.
• Luther’s unspoken concern about Medici reflects their tense and unreliable alliance.
• His thoughts about Tracy and the Demoness Sect reveal a personal vendetta that is beginning to influence his strategic goals.

Chapter Summary: “New Member”

Key Plot Points and Events

• A new member joins the Tarot Club above the Gray Fog. Justice welcomes her as Admiral of Stars Cattleya, though her identity is not explicitly revealed to the others.
• Cattleya uses her Eyes of Mystery Prying to partially see through the Gray Fog and observes the appearances and clothing of the existing members.
• She is shocked when she recognizes Temperance’s red robe and terrifying aura as resembling the mysterious Blood Bishop responsible for the recent incident on Toscarter Island.
• Temperance—Luther—realizes Cattleya is examining him through the Gray Fog and coldly asks, “What are you looking at?” This immediately creates tension around the table.
• Meanwhile, beneath Saint Samuel Cathedral in Backlund, the Red Gloves receive two important reports:
  1. The Church of Storms has identified and drawn the Blood Bishop’s appearance using witnesses’ memories and a ritual.
  2. A person falsely claiming to be a Blessed of the Fool was killed by lightning after reciting the Fool’s Honorific Name, confirming that the Fool is likely a genuine mysterious existence.
• The Red Gloves joke about the Blood Bishop’s handsome appearance. Leonard joins in but fails to recognize that the wanted poster depicts his former colleague, Luther, because Luther has altered his face using Flesh and Blood Magic.
• Leonard becomes serious when he reads the report concerning the Fool, suggesting that the information has personal significance or confirms his suspicions.
• Back above the Gray Fog, Justice and Hanged Man notice the sudden hostility between Temperance and the new member. Justice suspects Cattleya’s observational ability may be the cause, while Hanged Man remains cautious because he already recognizes her as Admiral of Stars.

Character Developments

• Cattleya is introduced as a powerful and observant demigod-level figure. Her ability to see through the Gray Fog makes her unusually perceptive, but it also immediately places her in danger by exposing her awareness of Temperance’s identity.
• Luther/Temperance demonstrates his vigilance and sensitivity to being observed. His hostile reaction suggests that he recognizes Cattleya as a potential threat and is determined to protect his identity.
• Justice/Audrey continues to be highly perceptive and curious, quickly analyzing the emotional shift within the Tarot Club.
• Hanged Man/Alger shows caution and political awareness. He recognizes Cattleya and avoids speaking unnecessarily, waiting to see how the confrontation develops.
• Leonard remains outwardly humorous and confident, joking that he is still the most handsome member of the Red Gloves. However, his serious reaction to news about the Fool reveals deeper interest and concern.
• Luther’s disguise is shown to be effective: even Leonard, who once knew him, cannot identify him from the wanted poster.

Significant Themes

• Identity and concealment: Luther’s altered appearance allows him to evade recognition, while Cattleya’s ability threatens to expose hidden identities within the Tarot Club.
• Observation and suspicion: Cattleya’s scrutiny triggers Temperance’s hostility, highlighting the danger of knowing too much in the supernatural world.
• The growing influence of the Fool: The incident involving the false Blessed confirms that the Fool is a real and powerful entity, intensifying the attention of both the Aurora Order and the Church-affiliated organizations.
• Public reputation versus hidden truth: The Red Gloves discuss the Blood Bishop as a handsome criminal without realizing his true identity or motives, emphasizing the gap between official portrayals and reality.
• Tension beneath ordinary interactions: Casual greetings and jokes conceal significant danger, political maneuvering, and unresolved personal connections.

Character Interactions

• Justice warmly welcomes Cattleya and introduces her to the Tarot Club.
• Cattleya silently examines the members, especially Temperance, whose appearance and aura remind her of the Blood Bishop.
• Temperance confronts Cattleya directly, causing the meeting’s atmosphere to become tense.
• Justice and Hanged Man privately interpret the confrontation, with Justice remaining curious and Hanged Man choosing caution.
• The Red Gloves tease Leonard about the Blood Bishop’s looks, and Leonard jokingly defends his own appearance.
• Soest interrupts the joking to focus on official intelligence.
• Leonard’s attitude changes when he reads the report about the Fool, revealing that the Fool’s existence matters to him.

Summary

• Luther confronts the new member, Miss Hermit (Cattleya), at the Tarot Club gathering after noticing that she is surrounded by the Eyes of Mystery Prying, bestowed by the Hidden Sage. He suspects the eyes allow her to see through the Gray Fog and potentially identify the members’ appearances.
• The revelation alarms the entire club, especially Justice Audrey, whose identity is highly sensitive, and Hanged Man Alger, whose Church of Storms background could expose him to a dangerous pirate. Sun Derrick is confused because he lacks knowledge of Luther’s recent activities, while Moon Emlyn remains cautious.
• Audrey breaks the tense silence by asking whether something is wrong with Cattleya. Luther confirms that there is and directly informs Mr. Fool of the problem, prompting Klein to reveal Cattleya’s codename and demand an explanation.
• Cattleya explains that the eyes were forcibly imposed on her and that she cannot control or close them herself. She apologizes, but Luther continues to criticize her, arguing that she should have immediately reported the situation to Mr. Fool rather than relying on his tolerance.
• Audrey supports Luther’s position, emphasizing that the Tarot Club depends on mutual respect. Cattleya, intimidated by Luther, Mr. Fool, and the powerful aura of the newly acquired Sea God’s Scepter, humbly apologizes.
• Alger takes some satisfaction in seeing the normally formidable Admiral of Stars humbled and asks Mr. Fool to decide her punishment. Klein privately worries that Cattleya might be expelled after only one meeting—making it both her first and last gathering.

Character developments and interactions

• Luther/Mr. Temperance is shown to be increasingly powerful, perceptive, and protective of the club’s privacy. He also uses Mr. Fool’s authority to pressure Cattleya.
• Cattleya/Miss Hermit is revealed as both dangerous and vulnerable: although a powerful Admiral and member of the Moses Ascetic Order, she becomes anxious and submissive when exposed.
• Klein/Mr. Fool maintains his calm, omniscient persona despite privately not having noticed the Eyes of Mystery Prying. His possession of the Sea God’s Scepter gives him confidence that he can control the situation.
• Audrey/Justice displays her strong sense of ownership and responsibility toward the Tarot Club by defending its rules and demanding transparency.
• Alger/Hanged Man reacts with brief amusement at Cattleya’s discomfort before appealing to Mr. Fool for judgment.
• The gathering highlights the growing tension between the club’s ideals of trust and mutual aid and the dangerous secrets carried by its members.

Significant themes

• Privacy and trust: Cattleya’s involuntary surveillance threatens the foundation of the Tarot Club.
• Authority and submission: Luther and Klein reinforce Mr. Fool’s authority, while Cattleya is forced to acknowledge the club’s rules.
• Hidden power: The chapter emphasizes the increasing strength of both Luther and Klein, especially through Luther’s special perception and Klein’s Sea God’s Scepter.
• Public identity versus concealed identity: The members’ fear of being recognized underscores how dependent they are on secrecy for survival.

Chapter Summary: “Omniscience and Omnipotence”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Klein ends the Hermit’s attempt to probe the Tarot Club members by thinning the Gray Fog around Cattleya, temporarily exposing her appearance to everyone. He identifies this as a warning rather than a punishment, preserving the Fool’s image of measured judgment.
• The members recognize Cattleya as the famous Admiral of Stars. Klein then releases her and has her create glasses that prevent her from repeating the incident.
• The Tarot Club begins its diary-reading session. Four pages from Roselle’s diary are examined:
  • The first two concern Roselle’s self-reflection after entering a Sage-like state.
  • The latter two reveal information about Zaratul’s search for the Antigonus Notebook and the Twilight Hermit Order’s opposition to the Solomon Empire.
• Klein becomes especially interested in the Twilight Hermit Order’s connection to the True Creator and the concept of “Omniscience and Omnipotence.” He considers whether the Shepherd Pathway’s ability to Graze other gods could allow the True Creator—or Luther, if he replaced Him—to become a new Creator.
• During the trading session, Luther offers jewelry, financial documents, and valuable artworks obtained from raids. Alger and Audrey cannot assist because the items are too conspicuous and potentially traceable.
• Emlyn agrees to sell some of the jewelry and art through Sanguine channels for a commission. Cattleya offers to dispose of the rest at thirty percent below market value, waiving her commission as an apology for her earlier behavior.
• Luther asks the members to search for powerful Beyonder Items, specifically ones at the demigod level, since his current equipment is becoming inadequate after his advancement to Sequence 4.

Character Developments

• Klein/Fool: Demonstrates authority, restraint, and control. He disciplines Cattleya without seriously harming or humiliating her, then smoothly redirects the meeting. His reflections on the True Creator reveal growing concern about the hidden structure and ultimate purpose of the Beyonder pathways.
• Cattleya/Hermit: Learns that the Fool will not tolerate attempts to investigate the identities of fellow members. She becomes more cautious and tries to establish her usefulness by offering access to her pirate crew’s stolen-goods network.
• Luther/Temperance: Displays his growing wealth and confidence after advancing to Sequence 4. He is unaware of Klein’s speculation about him potentially replacing the True Creator, but actively seeks stronger equipment to match his increased power.
• Alger/Hanged Man: Correctly identifies Cattleya as Admiral of Stars and recognizes the danger of handling stolen luxury goods. He remains interested in Luther’s valuable resources but is careful about legal and practical risks.
• Emlyn/Moon: Uses his Sanguine background and wealth to offer a practical solution for selling the jewelry and artworks, while proudly emphasizing his people’s refined tastes and financial resources.
• Audrey/Justice and Fors/Magician: Both recognize the danger and impracticality of handling Luther’s stolen goods. Fors also asks for clarification about the strength of the Beyonder Items Luther wants.
• Derrick/Sun: Remains largely bewildered and unable to contribute to the trading discussion.

Significant Themes

• Authority and controlled disclosure: Klein reinforces the Fool’s dominance by deciding exactly how much information about Cattleya is revealed and by controlling the meeting’s direction.
• Trust, boundaries, and punishment: Cattleya’s violation of the Tarot Club’s unspoken rules leads to a measured warning, establishing that membership requires restraint and respect for privacy.
• Omniscience and omnipotence: The diary entries raise the possibility that the True Creator could obtain power over all pathways, suggesting that the Beyonder system may conceal a deeper design.
• Power and preparation: Luther’s desire for demigod-level artifacts reflects the need for increasingly powerful individuals to upgrade their equipment as they advance.
• Wealth and criminal logistics: The trading session shows that valuable goods can be as difficult to manage as supernatural items, especially when they are stolen and traceable.

Important Character Interactions

• Klein and Cattleya establish a clear hierarchy when he exposes her identity and then limits the punishment to a warning.
• Klein’s reading of Roselle’s diary indirectly connects Luther to the possibility of becoming a future Creator, though Luther does not realize the significance of the discussion.
• Luther negotiates with Alger, Audrey, Emlyn, and Cattleya, ultimately receiving help from Emlyn and Cattleya in selling his stolen valuables.
• Luther’s request for demigod-level Beyonder Items prompts the others to recognize the extraordinary level of his current strength and ambitions.

Chapter Summary

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• The Tarot Club’s trading session concludes:
  • The World (Klein) seeks the eyeballs of a Six-Winged Gargoyle to advance to the Marionettist sequence.
  • The Sun (Derrick) seeks fruit from the Radiant Spirit Tree to advance to Solar High Priest.
  • The Hermit (Cattleya) can provide both materials.
• During the exchange, Cattleya realizes that The Sun originates from the Forsaken Land of the Gods, greatly increasing her awe of Mr. Fool.
• In the free discussion, The Hanged Man (Alger) reports two major events at sea:
  1. An incident on Toscarter Island involving a dragon.
  2. The collapse of Kalvetua, the Sea God of the Rorsted Archipelago, after archaeologist Leticia explored an ancient elven ruin on Symeem Island and removed an artifact.
• Alger explains that Kalvetua’s believers can still occasionally receive responses despite the Sea God’s apparent death.
• The members connect this information to the milky-white scepter beside Mr. Fool and realize that Klein has likely inherited or replaced Kalvetua as the new Sea God.
• Klein confirms this implication, telling the members that they may use the Sea God’s honorific name to pray to him in the future.
• The members congratulate Mr. Fool, recognizing his new authority and the protection it may offer, especially to those active at sea.
• Audrey asks Luther about the Toscarter Island incident. Luther reveals that the dragon was Gluttony, a Demigod of the Psychology Alchemists’ Council, and that he killed him.
• Luther then asks Alger whether his organization’s Artisan can convert Demigod materials into Beyonder Items, setting up the chapter’s main practical question.

2. Character Developments

• Klein / The Fool: Publicly establishes his new connection to the Sea God’s authority. By displaying the scepter and allowing the members to infer its meaning, he strengthens his divine image and offers practical protection to his followers.
• Alger / The Hanged Man: Demonstrates political awareness and courage by deliberately mentioning Kalvetua in a way that helps reveal Klein’s new status. He is initially nervous but realizes that Klein approves of his actions, increasing his confidence and sense of divine favor.
• Cattleya / The Hermit: Becomes increasingly reverent toward Mr. Fool after learning The Sun’s origins and recognizing that Klein has apparently replaced Kalvetua. She also confirms that the members possess unusually deep knowledge and connections.
• Audrey / Justice: Shows her sharp observational skills by noticing Cattleya’s reaction to the scepter and correctly interpreting Alger’s intentions. She also takes the initiative in questioning Luther about the dragon.
• Luther / Temperance: Reveals his considerable strength by stating that he killed a Psychology Alchemists’ Demigod. His question about transforming Demigod materials suggests he may have acquired valuable remains and is seeking a way to use them.
• Derrick / The Sun: Continues preparing for advancement by obtaining the Radiant Spirit Tree fruit.
• The World / Klein: Pursues the materials necessary to advance to Marionettist, maintaining his separate identity within the Tarot Club.

3. Significant Themes

• The construction and recognition of divine authority: Klein’s power is reinforced not merely through direct declarations but through symbols, rumors, and the members’ interpretation of events.
• Faith and legitimacy: Kalvetua’s continued responses confuse the believers, while Klein’s acquisition of the scepter suggests that divine authority can be transferred or inherited.
• Political intelligence and indirect communication: Alger carefully frames his report to help Klein achieve his goal without openly exposing Klein’s plans.
• Power concealed beneath ordinary interactions: A routine Tarot Club discussion reveals that multiple members are involved with Demigods, secret organizations, and major supernatural events.
• The practical value of supernatural remains: Luther’s final question introduces the issue of whether Demigod materials can be crafted into powerful Beyonder Items.
• Mutual support among the Tarot Club: Klein’s Sea God identity may provide protection to the club’s members, particularly those traveling or operating at sea.

4. Character Interactions

• Cattleya offers advancement materials to both Klein and Derrick, demonstrating her usefulness and strengthening her ties to the group.
• Alger and Audrey interact indirectly when she notices his glance toward Cattleya and prompts him to explain the second sea-related event.
• Alger’s report causes Cattleya and the others to connect Kalvetua’s collapse with the scepter beside Mr. Fool.
• Klein reassures the group by granting permission to pray to him under the Sea God’s honorific name.
• The members collectively show respect by standing and congratulating Klein, reinforcing the hierarchy between Mr. Fool and the Tarot Club.
• Audrey questions Luther about the dragon, leading to Luther’s revelation that he killed Gluttony.
• Luther then redirects the discussion toward Alger, asking whether the Artisan can transform Demigod materials into Beyonder Items.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Alger confirms that a Sequence 6 Artisan cannot safely create or process Demigod-level Beyonder materials. Luther decides to keep the material for now and later consult the Queen, whose connections and treasury may provide a solution.
• Audrey asks whether the Demigod Luther encountered came from the Psychology Alchemists. Luther says the man claimed to belong to them and displayed traits consistent with the organization’s higher-ups, reinforcing Luther’s suspicion that the group is connected to the mysterious force observing him.
• Alger reports that witnesses on Toscarter Island saw a black knight kill a giant dragon. The description clearly identifies Luther’s new identity as a Black Knight.
• Luther openly reveals to the Tarot Club that he has advanced to Sequence 4, making him a Demigod. The revelation produces a stunned silence, as Demigods are extremely powerful and occupy the highest ranks of Churches and secret organizations.
• Luther asks Derrick about Elder Lovia’s progress. Lovia has not yet advanced, but the City of Silver’s Chief has been leading expeditions to capture Monsters, presumably to use them as substitutes in her advancement ritual. Luther asks Derrick to observe her closely, believing her actions might reveal information about the True Creator’s possible “Sanctuary” in the Forsaken Land of the Gods.
• Audrey describes her exploration of the collective unconscious. Emlyn disputes the City of Silver’s historical accounts concerning the Sanguine, leading to an argument with Derrick.
• Klein asks whether anyone recognizes a red-haired woman named Helene. Cattleya identifies her as a descendant of Intis’s Sauron Family and a former maritime merchant who was reportedly captured by Tracy, the current Vice Admiral of Ailment.
• Luther becomes immediately interested because he already intends to confront Tracy, making Helene’s disappearance a potentially useful lead.
• The chapter shifts to Bayam in the Rorsted Archipelago, emphasizing the colony’s wealth and the exploitation of its native population. Governor George Negan anxiously attempts to mediate between Admiral Amyrius Rieveldt and MI9 Deputy Director Qonas Kilgor, who face each other with obvious hostility.

Character Developments

• Luther/Temperance: His successful advancement to Sequence 4 marks a major transformation in power and status. He remains calm and pragmatic, using his new strength to investigate the Psychology Alchemists, the True Creator, and Tracy.
• Audrey/Justice: She shows greater emotional control and restraint, choosing not to press Luther after sensing his hostility toward the Psychology Alchemists. Her continued exploration of the collective unconscious demonstrates her growing abilities.
• Alger/Hanged Man: He provides practical knowledge about Beyonder craftsmanship and identifies the significance of Luther’s “Black Knight” appearance.
• Derrick/Sun: He remains cooperative and dutiful, agreeing to monitor Lovia despite not fully understanding Luther’s larger plan.
• Klein/World: He quietly advances his investigation into Helene and Tracy, using the Tarot Club’s access to information while maintaining his double identity.
• Cattleya/Hermit: She contributes important maritime and historical information, identifying Helene’s background and connection to Tracy.
• Emlyn/Moon: His confidence in Sanguine history brings him into open disagreement with Derrick.
• George Negan: His nervous behavior reveals his awareness of the political tension between the powerful officials gathered in Bayam.

Significant Themes

• The emergence of higher life: Luther’s advancement illustrates the immense significance of becoming a Demigod and the gradual separation of high-Sequence Beyonders from ordinary humanity.
• Knowledge, secrecy, and investigation: The characters exchange partial information while pursuing hidden organizations, ancient beings, and political conspiracies.
• The dangers of power: Lovia’s advancement ritual and the use of captured Monsters highlight the disturbing sacrifices and moral compromises involved in gaining higher power.
• Colonial exploitation: Bayam’s prosperity is contrasted with the suffering of its native people, exposing the injustice behind the kingdom’s wealth.
• Political tension and competing authorities: The uneasy meeting between Amyrius and Qonas suggests an impending conflict between military and intelligence factions.

Character Interactions

• Alger and Luther discuss the technical limitations of creating Demigod-level items.
• Audrey cautiously questions Luther about the Psychology Alchemists, while Luther reveals his distrust of the organization.
• Luther and Derrick discuss Lovia’s advancement and the possible connection between the City of Silver and the True Creator.
• Audrey and Emlyn contribute competing information during the meeting, while Emlyn and Derrick argue over Sanguine history.
• Klein consults Cattleya and Alger about Helene; Cattleya’s answer catches Luther’s attention because of Tracy’s involvement.
• In Bayam, Governor Negan attempts to ease the hostile atmosphere between Amyrius Rieveldt and Qonas Kilgor, setting up a likely political confrontation.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• In the Governor’s Mansion in Bayam, Admiral Amyrius Rieveldt and Major General Qonas argue over control of an upcoming operation in the Sonia Sea. The operation is intended to target “usurping kings and generals,” but both men insist that their own organization should lead it.
• Amyrius, a Sequence 4 Imperative Mage of the Arbiter Pathway, insists that the navy must command the operation because the Sonia Sea is its traditional sphere of influence. Qonas, a Sequence 4 Fallen Earl of the Lawyer Pathway and representative of MI9, argues that MI9’s involvement is required to fulfill the king’s orders.
• Qonas privately exploits Amyrius’s concern for his younger brother, Aston Rieveldt, the governor of Oravi Island. He suggests that the king may force Aston to resign and return inland for an official post. Amyrius’s subtle hesitation reveals that the threat affects him deeply, and he appears likely to compromise.
• At the Tarot Club gathering above the gray fog, Fors reports that Sophia, the third princess of Feysac, has disappeared. The members suspect that her disappearance may be politically significant because Feysac’s emperor is reportedly ill and Sophia may rank highly in the succession.
• The group connects Sophia’s disappearance with the recent disappearance of Red-haired Helene and the presence of a descendant of Medici. These events may involve the descendants of the major Hunter Angel families.
• After the regular gathering ends, Klein and Luther hold their private Transmigrators’ Gathering. Luther asks Klein what he intends to do about Red-haired Helene, whom they believe is connected to the Demoness Sect, the Great Smog disaster, and possibly the Loen Royal Family.
• Klein agrees to investigate Helene and cooperate with Luther. He reveals that he has arrived in Bayam, killed the second mate of the Admiral of Blood and his followers, and recruited a Spirit World creature as a messenger. He promises to use this new messenger to contact Luther if he uncovers reliable information.

Character Developments

• Amyrius Rieveldt: His stern and authoritative exterior is contrasted with his strong loyalty to his family. His reaction to the threat against Aston reveals a personal vulnerability and gives Qonas leverage over him.
• Qonas: He demonstrates political cunning and an ability to manipulate negotiations. Rather than confronting Amyrius directly, he follows an apparent strategy prepared by another person and uses Amyrius’s family ties to pressure him.
• Fors: She becomes more cautious after hearing about Sophia’s disappearance, recognizing that a possible succession crisis makes the matter extremely dangerous. She resolves to warn Xio not to become involved recklessly.
• Klein: He continues consolidating his position in Bayam, dealing with powerful enemies and acquiring a Spirit World messenger. He also commits to investigating Red-haired Helene and the Great Smog’s deeper conspiracies.
• Luther: He takes a proactive role in pursuing Helene and offers cooperation to Klein, showing that his interests and investigations increasingly overlap with Klein’s.
• Sophia: Though absent, her disappearance establishes her as an important political figure because of her possible position in Feysac’s line of succession.

Significant Themes

• Political power and manipulation: The dispute between the navy and MI9 reflects the struggle between military factions and the Royal Family’s efforts to coordinate them. Personal leverage proves more effective than formal authority.
• Family loyalty as both strength and weakness: Amyrius’s concern for his brother humanizes him but also makes him vulnerable to political coercion.
• Hidden conspiracies: Sophia’s disappearance, Helene’s activities, the Great Smog, and the involvement of angelic family descendants suggest a broad supernatural and political scheme.
• Cooperation against greater threats: Klein and Luther agree to share intelligence and work together, emphasizing the value of alliances in a dangerous supernatural world.
• The collision of personal and national stakes: Individual investigations are linked to royal succession, international power struggles, and disasters affecting entire cities and nations.

Important Character Interactions

• Amyrius and Qonas: Their hostile negotiation shifts when Qonas invokes Aston Rieveldt, revealing Amyrius’s weakness and likely forcing him toward compromise.
• Qonas and his unseen superior: Qonas follows prior instructions to use Amyrius’s family as leverage, implying a larger political plan behind the dispute.
• Tarot Club members: Fors, Audrey, Alger, and the Hermit discuss Sophia’s disappearance and its possible connection to Feysac’s succession and the Hunter Angel bloodlines.
• Klein and Luther: Their private meeting develops into a cooperative investigation. Luther raises the Helene issue, and Klein agrees to pursue it while using his newly recruited Spirit World messenger for communication.

Chapter Summary: “I Should Get a Messenger Too”

Key Plot Points and Events

• While traveling across the Sonia Sea from Toscarter Island to Oravi Island, Philia scrubs the deck and reflects bitterly on pirate life. He is disappointed that piracy involves seasickness, repetitive travel, strict rules, hard labor, and combat training rather than the freedom and glory he imagined.
• Philia notices what appears to be a floating, golden-haired woman’s head passing through the ship’s wall and entering the captain’s quarters. Terrified, he suppresses his instinct to scream because of the boatswain’s strict rules.
• Inside the captain’s quarters, Luther receives a Spirit World messenger connected to Klein. The messenger is a frightening woman in a black gown with four identical golden-haired heads, each held in her hands.
• The messenger demands payment of one gold coin before delivering Klein’s letter. Her appearance briefly shifts into that of a grotesque rag doll, revealing an aura and status far beyond what Luther expected—possibly above the level of a Demigod.
• Anderson enters and, unaware of the danger, comments admiringly on the messenger’s appearance. She immediately forces his hands to strangle him, displaying an ability resembling that of a Wraith.
• Luther intervenes by summoning a black greatsword and severing the invisible connection controlling Anderson. He pays the messenger, defends Anderson as a member of his crew, and accepts the letter. The messenger then withdraws from the real world.
• Luther reminds Anderson to use his Misfortune Charm regularly and warns him not to die before they reach Oravi Island.
• Klein’s letter explains how to summon and contract a messenger. It also provides information about the Vice Admiral of Ailment: she appears to have issued the bounty on Red-haired Helene, and the two may share a forbidden relationship.
• Luther speculates that the Vice Admiral of Ailment was originally male and retained male preferences after undergoing the transformation associated with the Demoness pathway. He briefly thinks of Cecilia’s possible future appearance before burning the letter.

Character Development

• Philia becomes increasingly disillusioned with piracy. His romantic image of a lawless, powerful pirate clashes with the disciplined and exhausting reality of shipboard life. His fear of the messenger also emphasizes his vulnerability and inexperience.
• Luther demonstrates vigilance, authority, and loyalty. He quickly recognizes the messenger’s danger, protects Anderson without hesitation, and makes clear that outsiders have no right to punish his crew. His calm response contrasts with the supernatural threat around him.
• Anderson remains bold, irreverent, and socially careless. His flirtatious remark nearly gets him killed, but he accepts responsibility afterward and agrees to follow Luther’s warning about the Misfortune Charm.
• Klein, though absent, influences events through his letter, providing practical occult knowledge and intelligence about the Vice Admiral of Ailment.

Significant Themes

• The gap between fantasy and reality: Philia’s glamorous expectations of piracy are undermined by exhausting labor, rigid rules, and danger.
• Order within lawlessness: Despite being pirates, Luther’s crew operates under hierarchy, discipline, fairness, and mutual responsibility.
• The danger of supernatural power: The messenger’s casual control over Anderson and her ability to exist between worlds emphasize the vast power difference between ordinary people and high-level Beyonders.
• Loyalty and leadership: Luther’s defense of Anderson shows that leadership involves protecting one’s subordinates, even when they behave foolishly.
• Transformation and identity: Luther’s thoughts about the Demoness pathway raise questions about physical transformation, gender, desire, and the loss or preservation of one’s former identity.
• Information as power: Klein’s letter expands the crew’s occult capabilities and provides valuable intelligence about a dangerous naval figure.

Character Interactions

• Philia observes the captain’s quarters from a distance but does not interact directly with the others.
• The messenger demands payment from Luther and delivers Klein’s letter, establishing a formal and transactional supernatural relationship.
• Anderson’s careless compliment provokes the messenger’s attack, while Luther’s greatsword cuts the controlling link and saves him.
• Luther reprimands Anderson mildly, reminding him to use his charm and warning him to survive the journey, reinforcing their captain–first mate relationship.

Summary

Luther attempts to summon a Spirit World messenger aboard the Doe. Using a reliable incantation provided by Klein, he carefully describes the messenger as friendly, controllable, powerful, and responsible. The ritual succeeds, producing a giant winged serpent, but the creature abruptly flees into the Spirit World when Luther asks whether it will become his messenger.
Assuming the first creature was simply unsuitable, Luther modifies the incantation to summon a being specifically willing to serve. This time, a cheerful six-legged hound appears, but it immediately becomes terrified of Luther and escapes. He makes several further attempts, adding qualities such as mental resilience and willingness to communicate, yet every creature rejects him—or eventually refuses even to answer the summons.
Luther concludes that the ritual and incantation are sound and that the problem must lie with him. He recalls that Spirit World creatures communicated with him normally before he advanced to Sequence 4, including during his time as a Secrets Suppliant and Shepherd. He realizes that the change may be connected to his transformation into a Black Knight, particularly the ominous shadow and tower associated with the Red Light within him.
To investigate, Luther places a Paper Figurine Substitute on the altar and performs a prayer directed toward the Red Light, describing it as the eternal, knowledge-bearing authority of the Spirit World. The ritual summons a door of light, and the altar’s objects rise as the paper figure becomes saturated with intense red radiance. The chapter ends with the Red Light descending.

Character Development and Interactions

• Luther demonstrates caution, ritual expertise, and practical reasoning. He follows Klein’s proven instructions, adjusts the incantation logically, and investigates the repeated failures rather than blaming the ritual.
• His confidence shifts into confusion and concern as the messengers flee from him. He recognizes that his advancement to Sequence 4 may have fundamentally altered how Spirit World beings perceive him.
• His interactions with the summoned creatures reveal an unseen, intimidating influence surrounding him: the serpent escapes abruptly, while the hound reacts with unmistakable terror.
• Klein does not appear directly, but his guidance shapes Luther’s actions and provides the initial messenger-summoning method.

Significant Themes

• Transformation and alienation: Luther’s advancement has changed him in ways that make former forms of communication impossible.
• Hidden consequences of power: Becoming a Black Knight grants strength but may also attach a frightening or incompatible presence to him.
• Mystery and self-investigation: Luther must deduce the source of the problem from changes in his body and spiritual nature.
• The danger of the supernatural: Even a carefully controlled ritual can produce unpredictable reactions from Spirit World entities.
• The Red Light’s influence: The ending emphasizes that the Red Light is a powerful, mysterious force tied to Luther’s altered condition and possibly responsible for the creatures’ fear.