Chapter Summaries

Kade urged Sara to rally her father’s former allies before his planned awakening, while his group and their partners prepared for the wedding-day operation against Anlin. Their preparations were threatened when someone burned Anlin’s granary under their flag, killing three night watchmen.

• Valeria told the children how to manage without her, then explained to Kade that the Star Gang’s name came from her father’s nickname for her, Little Star.
• At the temple, priests identified the spell controlling Valeria’s father as a dragon’s [Mind Cage] and planned to dispel it on the wedding day.
• Kade convinced Valeria to contact former officers and build support for her father, then called her Sara as she left with renewed resolve.
• Kade briefed the group on the plan, and over the following week they gathered intelligence, contacted three former officers, and secured the Elves’ help for the wedding-day operation.
• Laila returned with the Elves’ agreement to join the plan, while Xia Lin secretly arranged to buy supplies and hire mercenaries through Marcus’s craftsmen.
• Marcus reported that Anlin’s western granary had been burned by people flying their flag, and three night watchmen had been killed.

After learning that Madam Anlin’s businesses had been attacked under their name, Xia Lin decided to muddy the waters while keeping the resistance hidden. Ivy received a suspicious report identifying the resistance and a supposed Metal Dragon, then set out to crush them as Veronica secretly followed her.

• Marcus told Xia Lin that several businesses belonging to Madam Anlin had been burned and marked with the Avengers emblem, and Kade and Sera suspected a trap.
• Xia Lin learned that Madam Anlin had ordered tighter security at her businesses and decided it was time to take the initiative.
• After Anlin criticized Ivy’s destructive rule, Ivy received a report from Madam Eve claiming the resistance included a Metal Dragon and planned to attack the textile district in three days.
• Anlin authorized Ivy to lead a force against the resistance and gave her Tiamat's Chain of Binding in case a Metal Dragon appeared.
• Anlin ordered Veronica to follow Ivy because she suspected the conveniently timed intelligence and feared Ivy would ruin her plans.

James led a raid on Golden Scissors Cloth Shop, but Ivy crashed into the scene searching for the Metal Dragons and slaughtered his gang. After James wounded her with an Alchemy Pistol, Ivy transformed further and lost control, leaving Xia Lin, Kade, and Sera watching as she threatened the neighborhood.

• James led his gang in robbing Golden Scissors Cloth Shop, hoping to profit while drawing attention toward the craftsmen resisting Madam Anlin.
• Ivy fell from the sky into the shop grounds and attacked the gang, demanding to know where the Metal Dragons were.
• James tried to flee, but Ivy hunted down his men and cornered him.
• James fired an Alchemy Pistol at Ivy, badly wounding her but failing to kill her.
• Ivy transformed with dragon scales, a claw, and a tail, then struck James through a warehouse wall and threatened the remaining people.
• Xia Lin, Kade, and Sera watched from a nearby Bell Tower as Xia Lin realized Ivy might slaughter the entire neighborhood.

Xia Lin and his companions confronted Ivy after she lost control and attacked civilians inside a mysterious Illusion Array. Xia Lin wounded and taunted her, provoking her into transforming further as their battle began.

• Ivy rampaged through the district, and Xia Lin assessed her injuries and considered whether to intervene.
• A hemispherical Illusion Array enclosed the area, and Xia Lin decided that he, Kade, and Sera would handle Ivy themselves.
• Kade blessed Xia Lin and gave him a Mind Shield Amulet, while Sera cast Fly on him.
• Xia Lin attacked Ivy as she threatened a civilian, then revealed that he had deceived her in Quiet Stream Village.
• Xia Lin cut Ivy's neck and taunted her with the charred necklace, driving her into a rage that triggered a partial transformation.

Veronica watched Ivy's rampage and concealed it from the city while questioning Madam Anlin's view of mortals as consumables. As Ivy threatened a civilian, Xia Lin · Tolemo appeared and stopped her attack.

• Veronica reported Ivy's rampage and the Alchemical Weapon from Numelia to Madam Anlin, who learned Ivy had lost an eye after the weapon struck her.
• Madam Anlin refused Veronica's offer to stop Ivy, dismissed the danger to civilians, and ordered Veronica to cover up the destruction.
• Veronica cast a High-Range Illusion Technique over the district and wrestled with her conflicting beliefs about dragons and the mortals whose art moved her.
• Veronica thought of Xia Lin · Tolemo and wondered what advice he would give her.
• Xia Lin · Tolemo intercepted Ivy's Dragon Claw with a lightning strike before it could hit a trembling civilian, and Veronica watched with interest.

Xia Lin and his companions fought Ivy, using taunts and coordinated attacks to force her into a vulnerable transformation. Xia Lin struck her with a lightning-charged slash that stopped the transformation and left her paralyzed, but her fate remained unresolved.

• Ivy unleashed amplified Dragon Fear through Veronica's illusion barrier, scattering the civilians while Xia Lin remained protected by his Mind Shield Amulet.
• Xia Lin dodged Ivy's attacks and taunted her about Anlin, while Kade and Sera arrived and worked together to restrain and blind her.
• Kade slammed Ivy into the ground, and Sera blinded her remaining eye with Flash Dust as Xia Lin prepared himself with potions, a scroll, and enchanted equipment.
• Xia Lin provoked Ivy into transforming into her dragon form, and Sera trapped her with Abyssal Grasp during the transformation.
• Xia Lin used Dimension Door and Blade Rush to slash Ivy across the back with a lightning-charged sword, stopping her transformation and paralyzing her.

Xia Lin defeated Ivy and confronted Veronica, whose doubts about mortals and their stories led to a rare moment of vulnerability between them. Ivy suddenly revived with the power of Tiamat's Chain of Binding, restrained Veronica, and advanced on the pair.

• Xia Lin prepared Dragonbane Ointment to suppress Ivy's regeneration while Kade and Sera watched.
• Veronica appeared, and Xia Lin sent Kade and Sera away before confronting her about why she had watched the battle.
• Veronica questioned why Xia Lin risked his life for unrelated mortals, and Xia Lin suggested she was beginning to doubt her mother's beliefs and her role as a director.
• Ivy grabbed Xia Lin's ankle and hurled him, but Veronica caught him and reacted with fury.
• Ivy used Tiamat's Chain of Binding to seal Veronica's power, then approached Veronica and Xia Lin.

Xia Lin escaped Ivy after Veronica exposed the illusion barrier, but returned when Ivy brutally beat Veronica and prepared to kill her. Ivy used the [Tiamat's Chain of Binding] to control Xia Lin, only for him to turn her apparent victory into a trap that left her convulsing in agony.

• Veronica dispelled the illusion barrier, forcing Ivy to halt her dragon transformation, and Xia Lin fled the ruins.
• Ivy beat Veronica nearly unconscious, but Xia Lin returned and convinced Ivy to spare her for Lady Anlin.
• Ivy used the chain's mind-control power to make Xia Lin obey her and nearly forced him to cut off Veronica's head.
• Xia Lin played the part of Ivy's enthralled servant, encouraging her to humiliate Veronica in front of him.
• Ivy suddenly became nauseated and began convulsing as her wounds reopened.

Xia Lin defeated Ivy with Dragonbane Ointment, then used Tiamat's Binding Chain to erase her personality and turn her into an obedient dragon. He taunted Anlin through a communication mirror and escaped with Ivy, while Anlin vowed revenge and prepared to confront Veronica.

• Xia Lin freed Veronica and learned she would not betray Anlin, despite being drawn to his plan and script.
• Xia Lin discovered that Tiamat's Binding Chain could erase the memories and personality of a helpless dragon, and used it to transform Ivy into an obedient dragon called Little Ivy.
• Xia Lin contacted Anlin, revealed that Ivy now belonged to him, and said he wanted revenge for Anlin making him a scapegoat and getting Felicity killed.
• Xia Lin rode away on Ivy after mocking Anlin and her plans to revive the evil dragon's offspring.
• Anlin suppressed her rage and decided to demand an explanation from the gravely wounded Veronica.

After Ivy was transformed into the amnesiac, childlike Xiao Ai, Xia Lin left Veronica to cover up the battle and took the dependent dragon to meet Sera and Kade. He planned to hand Xiao Ai over to the elves for temporary care, despite her fear that he would abandon her.

• Xia Lin left Veronica to alter the district’s memories, and Veronica used her power to conceal the battle before collapsing from the strain.
• Xia Lin examined Xiao Ai and learned that Tiamat’s Chain of Binding had erased her memories and personality, leaving her curious, obedient, and dependent on him.
• Xia Lin bought Xiao Ai clothes and brought her to the hidden basement, where Sera and Kade reacted to her transformation.
• Xia Lin told Sera and Kade that he intended to take Xiao Ai to the elves, while Xiao Ai clung to him in fear of being left behind.
• Little Shadow confronted Xiao Ai, who screamed and hid behind Xia Lin.

Xia Lin took Xiao Ai on her first flight, then left her with Iliya La and the Elves while he returned to New Stefan. On the way, he urged Iliya La to take a break from her duties, but Longwind’s high-speed ride left him nauseated again.

• Xia Lin had Xiao Ai transform into a dragon, rode her over New Stefan, and landed in a forest clearing, where the flight left him vomiting.
• Xiao Ai hunted and ate a wild boar raw, then tried cooked meat after Xia Lin roasted some for her.
• Xia Lin brought Xiao Ai to Iliya La and the Elves, explained her changed personality, and persuaded Iliya La to let her stay with the tribe as an ally against Anlin.
• Xiao Ai tearfully clung to Xia Lin before agreeing to stay, then gently bit his arm so she would remember the taste of his blood.
• Iliya La offered to take Xia Lin back to the city on Longwind and told him about her burdens as the tribe’s leader.
• Xia Lin encouraged Iliya La to find someone to cover her duties and explore the world, but Longwind’s fast ride soon made him nauseated.

As Anlin tightened her control over the city ahead of the wedding, Xia Lin’s resistance completed its preparations while losing contact with Madam Martha inside the sealed Floating Castle. Xia Lin chose to proceed with the plan and take the group shopping for final supplies.

• Veronica confessed everything to Anlin, who ordered her to remain in the underground altar until the wedding and maintain the ritual.
• Anlin launched a citywide search for Ivy, sealed off the Floating Castle and theater district, and commandeered nobles’ private troops before easing the crackdown after a week.
• Xia Lin and his allies prepared weapons, tunnels, intelligence networks, and support from adventurers, temple forces, tribal warriors, and Sara’s contacts while learning that the Star Moon Chain was a chain of calamity.
• James, who had survived, gave Xia Lin a modified Numelia concussion pistol and pledged to serve him under a soul contract.
• Sera and Kade reported that they could not contact Madam Martha in the locked-down Floating Castle, so Xia Lin decided to follow the original plan and trust her.
• Xia Lin revealed his VIP card and led the group to buy supplies from Lola’s Curio Shop before the final battle.

Xia Lin, Sera, and Kade bought equipment for their coming battle, and Master Laura recognized Xia Lin but chose to help him instead. After several days of preparation, the wedding of the Sword Duke and Madam Anlin began in New Stefan.

• Xia Lin, Sera, and Kade used Xia Lin’s discount card to buy enchanted equipment for their fight against the red dragon.
• Master Laura recognized Xia Lin as a wanted criminal but gave him an Arcane Guardian Ring and agreed to study his scroll and Iron Box.
• Master Laura identified the scroll as the Ninth Circle spell [Vengeful Whirlwind] and gave Xia Lin several lower-level spell scrolls in exchange for the artifacts.
• Xia Lin and his companions trained with their new equipment while the resistance completed its preparations.
• New Stefan was decorated for the wedding of the Sword Duke and Madam Anlin.

Edwin Odolai and Madam Anlin’s wedding unfolded amid a lavish celebration and tense political maneuvering, as foreign envoys and nobles weighed Anlin’s growing power. Just as the Bishop prepared to declare them married, an unidentified guest from the provincial nobles’ section objected.

• New Stefan celebrated Edwin Odolai and Anlin’s wedding while the castle’s guards maintained covert security and the assembled guests assessed the political stakes.
• Bargren revealed that he had blocked Anlin’s bounty from being recommended to adventurer teams above Silver Rank, giving Xia Lin a measure of protection.
• Edwin Odolai and Anlin exchanged vows before the Bishop of Abada and walked to the altar as the guests watched.
• When the Bishop asked whether anyone objected to the marriage, a voice from the section for minor provincial nobles declared, “I object.”

Xia Lin disguised himself as Baron Barry to disrupt Lord Sword Duke Edwin Odolai’s wedding and was taken into custody by Martha, who was disguised as Shilana. He convinced Martha to help him examine Felicity’s remains for a curse that might explain why resurrection Divine Art had failed.

• Baron Barry publicly accused Madam Anlin’s charitable trading company of ruining minor nobles’ businesses, and other provincial nobles joined his protest.
• Edwin dismissed the accusations, ordered Barry imprisoned, and had the protesting nobles thrown out of the wedding hall.
• Martha, disguised as Shilana, diverted the guards and took Barry to the confinement chamber, where she revealed herself to Xia Lin.
• Xia Lin told Martha he wanted to examine Felicity’s remains and proposed that a curse had prevented her soul from returning, as a dragon curse had done to General Roderick.
• Xia Lin argued that finding a way to revive Felicity could free Edwin from Anlin’s influence, and Martha agreed to take him to the remains.

Anlin married the Sword Duke and received the Odolai family's Star Moon Chain while quietly asserting her authority. As she prepared to complete her ritual, coordinated attacks struck her outposts and unrest broke out in Galt, leaving her wedding celebration under threat.

• Anlin accepted the Star Moon Chain, gave a speech pledging herself to Brevor and New Stefan, and clashed with Adventurers Guild vice president Bargren.
• Iliya La and Xiao Ai attacked Anlin's hidden altar, killing its defenders as the Elves launched assaults on every outpost at once.
• Anlin learned that an outer altar had been destroyed and ordered Drak to find Ivy with a Resonance Scrying Mirror.
• Anlin sent William to suppress a riot by the people of Galt in the High-top Area and warned him to be careful.
• Anlin returned to the side hall, determined to continue the wedding and complete the ritual.

While Anlin hurried the wedding banquet toward its final blessing, Martha kept her identity as Shilana to distract her and Xia Lin infiltrated Felicity’s room. In New Stefan, William’s guards struggled against the refugees’ organized resistance as Xia Lin reached the guarded bedroom door.

• Anlin ordered Shilana to end the formal speeches and poetry recitations within an hour, then began the ball with the Sword Duke.
• Martha continued directing the banquet servants as Shilana, hoping the master key and map she had given Xia Lin would help him reach Felicity.
• In New Stefan, Laila taunted William as the refugees used traps, debris carts, and panicked animals to disrupt the city guard.
• Xia Lin followed Martha’s map through the Floating Castle’s servant passages to Felicity’s room, where two Dragonborn guards stood watch.
• Xia Lin used Haste and his enchanted blade to kill both guards within six seconds, hid their bodies, and opened the bedroom door.

Xia Lin discovered that Felicity’s body was dead but her soul remained trapped inside it by a Dragon Curse, leaving her suspended between life and death. He carried her out of her bedroom, triggering an alarm that sent the Sword Duke, Anlin, and the wedding guests rushing toward the scene.

• Xia Lin used Item Appraisal on Felicity and initially found that her body was dead, but Snowball showed him that their glowing yarn ball was bound to her soul.
• Xia Lin’s second appraisal revealed that a Dragon Curse had anchored Felicity’s soul in her dead body, trapping it in an eternal sleep.
• Snowball joined Xia Lin, who carried Felicity out of her room and set off a pressure-triggered intrusion alarm.
• The Sword Duke drew his sword and led his guards toward Felicity’s bedroom, while Anlin followed after her trusted Head Maid, Shilana, had disappeared.
• The nobles and foreign envoys left the ballroom to follow the Sword Duke and Anlin, anticipating a spectacle.

Xia Lin escaped the castle with Felicity and Snowball while Martha stayed behind to expose Anlin as a red dragon who had plotted Felicity’s murder. Martha’s apparent sacrifice finally made Anlin reveal her crimes, and she threatened the guests gathered on the terrace.

• Xia Lin evaded the castle guards with Felicity and Snowball until Martha, disguised as Shilana, pulled them into a secret passage and learned Felicity’s soul remained trapped in her body.
• Martha led Xia Lin to an emergency teleportation circle, where Anlin intercepted them; Xia Lin used Arcane Golems to buy time as they reached the circle.
• Martha held Anlin back with Winter’s Kiss, allowing Xia Lin, Felicity, and Snowball to teleport away, then destroyed the circle in an explosion that left her fate unknown.
• Martha revealed to the Sword Duke and the wedding guests that Anlin was a red dragon who had plotted Felicity’s murder and framed Xia Lin, but Anlin’s influence kept the Sword Duke confused.
• After Martha disappeared over the terrace, Anlin confessed to killing Felicity and denounced the Sword Duke and the human guests before unleashing her draconic aura.

Anlin activated a vast divine kingdom ritual spanning the Floating Castle and the Star Moon Opera House, declaring her intention to become a god. As the ritual began, Xia Lin, Felicity, and Snowball escaped to Lower City, where Xia Lin felt the pillar of light resonate painfully with the fragment of divinity inside him.

• Anlin activated the magic array linking the Floating Castle to the altar beneath the Star Moon Opera House, and its power immobilized the guests and weakened their connections to their gods.
• Anlin revealed that she had never intended merely to revive the evil dragon's offspring; she planned to become a true god by making a divine spark seek her out and dragging her divine kingdom into the Prime Material Plane.
• Anlin knocked the guests unconscious, ordered her Dragonborn subordinates to imprison them as sacrifices and search for Xia Lin, and dismissed a report that someone had jumped from the castle terrace.
• Xia Lin, Felicity, and Snowball emerged from an unstable teleportation array inside an abandoned warehouse in Lower City, New Stefan.
• Xia Lin saw the pillar of light surrounding the Floating Castle and felt the mark on his chest burn as the fragment of divinity within him resonated with it.