Chapter Summaries

Adam secured the agreement of America’s powerful leaders to join the Human Alliance and explained to Samuel why he let them leave without binding them by magical vows. The chapter ended with Samuel recognizing Britain, China, and Egypt as the Alliance’s established permanent members and trying to adapt to Adam’s influence.

• Kimchi berated two staffers for failing to find records about wizards and demanded that they investigate more effectively.
• Adam showed Samuel that America’s influential leaders had agreed to cooperate with joining the Human Alliance after Adam summoned them.
• The young witch reported that all five UN Security Council permanent members had agreed to join, while invitations were being delivered to other nations.
• Samuel questioned Adam about releasing the leaders, and Adam said their breaking the agreement would give him grounds to act later.
• Samuel learned that Britain, China, and Egypt had already unified their ordinary and magical governments and become the Human Alliance’s permanent members.
• Samuel began studying Chinese and Egyptian languages and cultures, while his English accent shifted toward British pronunciation.

Adam discussed invitations to the Human Alliance conference and the Japanese Wizarding World’s lack of response. He ordered invitations sent to special countries and regions, while deciding to leave Japan alone for now.

• Samuel ignored criticism of his loyalty to Adam and assigned his detractors to dangerous posts.
• Adam told his aide to invite the Vatican, Palestine, and tiny island nations to the Human Alliance conference, emphasizing that the island nations could receive help.
• Adam said Palestine should decide for itself whether to seek outside assistance because its internal factions made representation difficult.
• Adam learned that the Japanese Ministry of Magic had made no changes and appeared unaware of events elsewhere.
• Adam decided to leave Japan and its Wizarding World alone for the time being.

China, Britain, and Egypt established the Human Alliance after integrating ordinary people and the mystical world, while Egypt rapidly expanded its rule across the Arab region. America publicly supported the Alliance, but a British Prime Minister kept searching for a way to resist the change as his Minister of Magic warned that there was no alternative.

• Countries investigated the Human Alliance and discovered that China, Britain, and Egypt had already begun integrating ordinary people and the mystical world.
• Uther took office as Minister of the Egyptian Ministry of Magic after numerous countries voted to join Egypt's rule, and he discussed the remaining unclaimed lands with the group.
• Leaders around the world watched Egypt's territory expand and expected America to respond forcefully to the Alliance's rise.
• America held a press conference declaring its support for the Human Alliance and promising to attend its first meeting.
• The Minister of Magic told the Prime Minister that history could not be reversed, while the Prime Minister continued contacting people in search of a way out.

European Ministries of Magic and Muggle governments accepted invitations to a Human Alliance meeting as they weighed their weakened position against the Wizarding Supremacist Party. A witch then arranged for an elderly woman to attend in exchange for free food and water, before scolding the wizard who had followed Adam Reed’s instructions too literally.

• European Ministers of Magic abandoned plans to resist after learning their supplies and markets were controlled and Grindelwald’s power had grown.
• European Ministers blamed Dumbledore for supporting Grindelwald, while reports and newspaper letters suggested the two were lovers and had a child.
• The Norwegian Minister of Magic argued with the prime minister about whether modern weapons could stop powerful wizards, then both men despaired over their uncertain allies.
• Governments and Ministries of Magic accepted the Human Alliance’s meeting invitation to assess the situation and the Alliance’s intentions.
• A witch promised an elderly woman free food and water for attending the meeting, then rebuked the Wizarding Supremacist Party wizard who had followed Adam Reed’s instructions exactly.

Representatives from around the world used blue Portkeys to reach the Human Alliance’s headquarters, where they were organized and led through the Hanging Gardens. They arrived at the Great Hall and were told to find their assigned seats, with a ten-day stay offered after the meeting.

• A Wizarding Supremacist Party wizard warned the representatives that only registered guests could safely enter the Human Alliance headquarters, then instructed them to hold hands and touch the Portkey.
• The Portkeys transported the groups to a vast white hall, where a young man used a silencing spell and directed them into two orderly lines.
• The young man led the representatives through doors into the Hanging Gardens, where they saw an enormous moon, glowing plants, floating islands, and waterfalls in the sky.
• The representatives stopped outside the Great Hall and were told to follow seating charts written in each nation’s official language.
• The young man said the representatives could stay at the headquarters for ten days after the meeting.

At the first Human Alliance conference in the Hanging Gardens, Adam Reed opened proceedings by bluntly asking the assembled factions whether they would join. He left them to review the membership terms, while privately hoping someone would challenge him so he could demonstrate his power.

• Attendees realized they could understand Adam without difficulty, and Jingxu recognized his ability as a sign of formidable personal cultivation.
• The Office Representative identified Adam for Jingxu as the man who could produce a nuclear bomb on the spot.
• Adam took the podium, introduced himself, and clarified that he was not the Human Alliance chairman but was handling preliminary issues.
• Adam asked the assembled factions whether they would join the Alliance and told them to read the documents and ask questions.
• Eugene and the others watched as Adam discarded their planned formalities and privately hoped the factions would challenge him.

The Vice President of the United States surprised the Great Hall by declaring his country's full support for the Human Alliance. Samuel had persuaded him to set aside any prior instructions after explaining the Wizarding Supremacist Party's surviving leadership and the power of the Hanging Gardens, though the Vice President's questions about the structure remained unanswered.

• Adam watched the delegates, waiting to see who would speak first, while many smaller nations read the Human Alliance booklet or paid little attention to it.
• The American representative, who was the Vice President of the United States, raised his hand and declared that the United States fully supported the Human Alliance and its decisions.
• The Vice President recalled that Samuel had told him to forget any instructions he had received about the meeting.
• Samuel explained that the Wizarding Supremacist Party's leader and core members had survived their defeat, leaving them capable of rebuilding the faction.
• Samuel told the Vice President about the Hanging Gardens in outer space and the space station he had seen there.
• The Vice President asked whether the Hanging Gardens could observe and strike the Earth's surface.

Samuel warned the Vice President that Kukulkan, a descendant of the Feathered Serpent God, could support Indigenous people seeking justice against America through the Human Alliance. As the factions backed the Alliance, Adam hoped to make a dramatic impression, but Libya’s representative objected and Adam recognized him as Colonel Gaddafi.

• Samuel explained that the Hanging Gardens could unleash attacks across dozens of square miles and that wizards’ weapons were difficult to detect.
• Samuel told the Vice President he had met Kukulkan, a high-ranking wizard descended from the Feathered Serpent God, and warned that Indigenous people could appeal to him over America’s history.
• Samuel urged the Vice President to cooperate with the Human Alliance so America would not appear deserving of a purge.
• Adam watched the faction representatives voice support for the Human Alliance and grew frustrated that they were interpreting his actions as something more profound than an attempt to look cool.
• Libya’s representative loudly rejected the proposal, and Adam recognized the man as Colonel Gaddafi.

Adam invited countries to state their claims for permanent seats in the Human Alliance, and several governments—including Japan—applied. Japan’s prime minister and Minister Sugawara left confident, unaware that Jingxu had noticed them.

• A Gaddafi-like representative demanded a permanent seat for Libya, while an African Ministry of Magic representative insisted his ministry had no part in the demand.
• Adam invited other countries to apply for permanent seats, and South Korea’s Lee Seok was knocked unconscious by Kim Eun-seon when he began speaking for their country.
• India applied for a seat, and its Ministry of Magic disavowed the government’s decision; several other governments also applied and were disavowed by their Ministries of Magic.
• Japan’s prime minister and Minister Sugawara applied together, believing Japan met the requirements for permanent membership.
• Jingxu opened her eyes at the sound of Japan’s representatives, who felt a chill and touched the backs of their necks.

Adam announced that countries seeking permanent seats in the Human Alliance would face strength-based military assessments, and most applicants withdrew when they learned the exercises would simulate real combat. Libya and Japan remained, with assessments scheduled to begin within thirty days, though Minister Sugawara misunderstood Adam’s warning about the test.

• Adam listed the applicant countries as candidates and explained that the Human Alliance would assess their strength through realistic military exercises.
• Several European and American representatives withdrew their applications after learning the assessments would simulate combat, and Colonel Gaddafi mocked them before criticizing other countries as well.
• Adam named Libya and Japan as the remaining applicants and assigned a young wizard to accompany each country during its assessment.
• Adam told Minister Sugawara that applicants must be ready to fight every possible enemy within their countries and that victory was the main passing standard.
• Minister Sugawara thanked Adam and concluded that a mixed army of modern soldiers and wizards could be completely annihilated.

Adam pressed the representatives to put humanity ahead of religious or political interests as the Human Alliance was established. The Vatican refused to join, and Israel then objected to the Alliance’s recognition of the Little Ba Region, leaving the United States watching to see how Adam would respond.

• Adam explained that the Human Alliance would welcome religious and political entities that upheld human morality and put human interests first.
• The Cardinal accused Adam of opposing religious freedom, but refused to let the Vatican join the Human Alliance.
• Adam accepted the Vatican’s refusal and silently considered how to respond to its future efforts to shape public opinion.
• Israel’s representative objected to the Human Alliance’s recognition of the Little Ba Region as a sovereign entity.
• The United States’ Vice President stayed silent, while Adam turned his attention to Israel’s representative.

Adam completed the Human Alliance’s first meeting, securing Israel’s and Palestine’s agreement to join and outlining the alliance’s aid and intervention policies. After the representatives departed, China’s delegation told him that China intended to take the lead in shouldering the responsibilities of a permanent member.

• Adam obtained Israel’s and Palestine’s agreement to join the Human Alliance, and Israel’s representative left the venue after Adam warned Israel to behave peacefully.
• Adam directed delegates to the booklet for details about the alliance’s aid, and Klon delivered a speech before the first meeting concluded.
• Adam announced that the Human Alliance would respect national sovereignty but intervene directly in cases involving crimes against humanity.
• Delegates returned to their factions, while Adam watched island representatives leave with supplies and planned further contact between wizards and ordinary society.
• A Chinese delegation approached Adam, and a Ministry of Foreign Affairs representative said China intended to take the lead in Human Alliance affairs as a permanent member.

Adam learned why China wanted to join the Human Alliance’s assessment of Japan and approved its participation alongside Britain and Egypt. The assessment would let China vent old grievances and demonstrate unity and strength, while Adam still planned to have Xiao Hei strike Japan himself.

• Jingxu asked Adam to let China fight Japan in the assessment, arguing that a simulated battle would allow China to vent its anger without real casualties.
• The Office Representative explained that China had anticipated Japan becoming the Human Alliance’s target and that its representatives were authorized to decide.
• The Office Representative said China accepted some damage to its international reputation in exchange for venting resentment, displaying martial strength, and bringing cultivators and ordinary people together.
• Adam agreed that China could join the assessment but insisted that Xiao Hei would still represent him and strike Japan.
• Adam announced that China, Britain, and Egypt would take part in the Human Alliance’s assessment of Japan.

Adam arranged for Britain and Egypt to join China in the assessment of Japan, while China’s representatives worried about how to divide the few combat slots among eager volunteers. Libya unexpectedly began its own assessment after only three days, leaving Adam and Uther unsure whether sending troops was worthwhile.

• Adam told Uther that Britain would contribute wizards and Stone Guardians, while Egypt would send forces to Libya and borrow Adam’s dog-headed man to summon Sand Soldiers.
• Adam recalled that Hogwarts’s new Ancient Magic class had found no talented students, leaving Yog bored and available to fight in Libya.
• China’s representatives discussed how China’s share of the Japan assessment had shrunk after Britain and Egypt joined, and the Office Representative worried about competing for limited slots and leadership.
• Jingxu silently resolved to secure a place in the fight against Japan and use all her abilities on the battlefield.
• Adam told Uther that Colonel Gaddafi had begun Libya’s assessment after gathering part of his army, and Uther questioned whether sending troops was worthwhile.
• Adam and Uther agreed that they should still send troops to Libya despite Gaddafi’s unexpectedly small force.

Yog led the small coalition of Chinese, British, and Egyptian cultivators toward Libya, where they were met with gunfire at the border. The dog-headed Egyptian summoned ten thousand Sand Soldiers, and the force marched toward Tripoli with them in the vanguard.

• The gathered cultivators realized China, Britain, and Egypt had brought only a small force, and Yog took command of the group.
• Yog proposed charging into Libya without tactics, then blocked a sniper's bullet and killed the shooter with lightning.
• An Egyptian wizard condemned Libya's attack, and the dog-headed Egyptian said they would discuss it after taking Tripoli.
• The dog-headed Egyptian chanted and scattered sand, creating exactly ten thousand Sand Soldiers.
• Yog led the coalition toward Libya as the Sand Soldiers marched ahead.

Yog and the group advanced toward Colonel Gaddafi’s forces with ten thousand Sand Soldiers, but Yog redirected the missiles fired at them and destroyed the city ahead. Frustrated by their slow progress, Yog flew ahead on his modified broom, leaving the group to continue without him.

• The Sand Soldiers marched in formation across difficult terrain, impressing Yog and the other travelers.
• Colonel Gaddafi ordered an attack with missiles, but Yog caught them with Ancient Magic and sent them crashing into the city, destroying it and a military unit.
• Yog complained that marching had taken too long and the group discussed flying brooms, Flying Carpets, and other ways to travel.
• Yog mounted his Flying Broom and sped ahead, prompting the wizards to wonder whether he had illegally modified it.
• The remaining wizards and cultivators decided to follow the original plan and advance with the Sand Soldiers.

Adam let Yog act independently while the Sand Soldiers advanced toward Libya’s capital, shocking world leaders with the power of magic. Japan’s prime minister declared that Japan was prepared and requested an assessment ten days later.

• Adam told the kobolds to let Yog do as he pleased while the others continued the original plan.
• A magical broadcast showed the Sand Soldiers crossing Libya and attacking those still alive, prompting a Swiss representative to question Adam about human rights.
• Adam explained that the battle was simulated and that leaving wounded people in the rubble would harm them more.
• The Sand Soldiers resisted Libya’s conventional weapons and pushed toward the capital, leaving Colonel Gaddafi unable to stop them.
• Japan’s prime minister argued that Japan was prepared for its assessment and ordered an application for one ten days later.

Adam tracked down the lost Yog and coordinated preparations for the upcoming assessment while China’s factions fought over the remaining slots. At Japan’s assessment, a colossal black dragon joined a fleet at sea, while Yog complained that Egypt’s warship was moving too slowly.

• Adam found Yog drifting over the Libyan desert after he got lost, then contacted China about the assessment scheduled ten days later.
• Representative Zhang entered a room where seventeen faction representatives had fought before agreeing to divide the remaining slots among their groups and transfer eight to the military.
• Japan’s assessment video showed a fleet sailing across the sea, followed by a black dragon so enormous that representatives struggled to gauge its size.
• Yog watched Egypt’s warship sail toward Japan and complained that it was moving too slowly after he had arrived too late for the previous event.

Yog traveled by ship toward Japan while the Japanese forces prepared to intercept an advancing coalition. The coalition’s cultivators killed an Umibōzu and discovered it had been created from the resentment of fishermen killed at sea, leaving them worried that Japan might harbor many more demons.

• Yog complained that traveling by ship was slow, while an Egyptian Ministry of Magic employee explained that they had planned to turn back once the fighting ended.
• General Hayata asked Minister Sugawara for help stopping the approaching forces, and Sugawara agreed to coordinate a counterattack.
• A monk sensed something approaching beneath the sea, and the coalition’s cultivators spotted a huge, human-faced creature identified as an Umibōzu.
• The cultivators attacked the Umibōzu with spells, arrows, and flying swords, killing it before it could roar.
• A monk identified the creature’s overwhelming resentment as belonging to fishermen who had died in maritime disasters and concluded that someone had created the demon artificially.
• A Confucian scholar recalled seeing the Umibōzu in the Illustrated Compendium of a Hundred Demons' Night Parade and wondered how many other demons might exist in Japan.

China’s cultivators arrived in Japan after Jingxu’s forces destroyed Umibōzu, and the Chinese contingent prepared to attack the shrines honoring war criminals. Three elderly Confucian cultivators transformed their wheelchairs into bows and fired arrows toward three mountains.

• Japanese officials watched Chinese cultivators kill Umibōzu instantly, while Minister Sugawara secretly alerted President Abe.
• Jingxu asked General Zhang about the fleet’s arrival time as the Chinese leaders discussed their plans and the three remaining elder Confucian cultivators.
• China’s fleet reached Japan without further resistance, and General Zhang set off to destroy the shrines honoring war criminals.
• The three elders recited Confucian teachings, rose from their wheelchairs, and assembled their parts into compound bows and arrows.
• The three elders fired arrows toward three high mountains.