Recaps

Theus learned that Gwen needed him to kill White Bones and delay the mist so she could wrest control of the White Bone Sanctuary from Bazel. As the Expeditionary Force’s fortress defense neared collapse, the mist retreated, and Ash ordered a counterattack.

• Gwen told Theus that Bazel controlled the White Bone Sanctuary and that killing White Bones and slowing the mist would weaken him.
• Theus decided the Expeditionary Force had to hold the Northern Territory fortress to inflict heavy losses on the White Bones.
• As the mist entered the fortress and combat sectors fell, Ash urged the soldiers to hold on while they fought beside her.
• The Expeditionary Force resisted fiercely, and the white fog stopped advancing and withdrew from the fortress.
• Ash received a message through the Mind Link and ordered the soldiers to attack the remaining skeleton horde.

The Expeditionary Force trapped the white bone horde inside the fortress and began destroying it while Kyle was tasked with recovering intact bones. Meanwhile, Ignati explained the Forgotten’s origins and revealed that the Silent Temple planned to sacrifice itself to bury the White Calamity, leaving Hunter and Nora to face the priests’ decision.

• Theus’s command rallied the Expeditionary Force, and Ash and the Banshees attacked the white bone horde as soldiers charged forward.
• Alexei ordered Kyle to collect intact white bones for experiments, and Kyle reluctantly went to find brooms and help.
• Ignati told Nora, Hunter, and Grisha that traitors of the Silent Temple had created the White Calamity by opening a passage to the Sea of Unconsciousness.
• Ignati revealed that the Silent Temple had lost the Bone White Crow and intended to use the White Bone Sanctuary and a final burial ritual to destroy the White Calamity, even if it condemned their souls.
• Nora asked whether the Buriers had all chosen to die, and they confirmed that they had; Ignati then explained that the Forgotten had abandoned their humanity and become immortal, mindless skeletons.

Theus assessed the aftermath of the White Calamity’s retreat, contained the bone horde, and began planning the Expeditionary Force’s withdrawal. The Silent Temple arrived claiming it could stop the White Calamity, leaving Theus to face an unexpected offer of help.

• Ignati and the Silent Temple Buriers spotted what might be the White Calamity and hurried toward the Expeditionary Force’s camp.
• Theus emerged after Gwen stopped answering and found the battle inside the fortress nearly over.
• Theus pulled Banshees away from the warehouse where they were grinding the regenerating bone horde and ordered the bones secured.
• Theus learned the White Calamity had damaged the northern railway but left it usable, and he ordered a gradual withdrawal while the force assessed losses.
• A messenger told Theus that Ignati, Nora, Grisha, Hunter, and about a hundred Silent Temple Transcendents had arrived, offering to stop the White Calamity.

The Silent Temple learned that the White Calamity had reached the Northern Territory and prepared to confront it without the White Bone Sanctuary. As Theus realized the danger had not been driven away, Ignati led the armored Buriers in a charge into the white fog.

• Ignati told the Buriers that they could no longer reach the Canary Mountains and would have to face the White Calamity without the White Bone Sanctuary.
• Theus met Ignati at the military camp, but the Silent Temple declined his help and left for the north to fight the White Calamity.
• Nora explained that the Silent Temple had come to greet Theus and borrow a road, but changed course after finding the White Calamity near the camp.
• Ignati rallied the Silent Temple priests, who donned their heavy armor and charged toward the white fog.

Gwen subdued the Silent Temple's Buriers after they rushed into the white fog, and Theus arranged to have them taken to Castel. As Nora reunited with Gwen and checked on the injured Buriers, Monica recommended sending them to Castel for examination.

• Gwen told Theus that the Buriers had charged into the white fog and that she was trying to separate Bazel from the white bones.
• Theus arranged a convoy, and the white fog spat out the unconscious, injured Buriers, whom the soldiers and Banshees loaded onto carriages.
• Hodge told Hunter, Nora, and Grisha that the White Calamity had been dealt with and that the white bones were in the warehouse.
• Nora went to check on the Buriers, and Gwen happily hugged her and talked about their reunion.
• Monica examined the Buriers, found fractures and unexplained unconsciousness, and recommended sending them to Castel for further examination.

Theus directed the Expeditionary Force’s response to White Calamity’s aftermath and the former nobles and gangs in the Northern Territory. When Alexei asked how to govern the vast territory, Theus rejected traditional enfeoffment and imperial rule, leaving his choice between possible paths open.

• Theus ordered White Calamity monitored, refugees sheltered or relocated, and Duke Alvaray’s assets reviewed by the tribunal.
• Theus ordered Dragonfang’s and other nobles’ lands reclaimed, and told Alexei to offer bandits and gang members work before using force against those who refused.
• Theus approved sending the injured Buriers of the Silent Temple to Castel for treatment despite his concern that they might suffer Castel Syndrome.
• Alexei described options for governing the Northern Territory through enfeoffment, a centralized civil service, or Castel-style industrial development.
• Theus dismissed Alexei’s first two suggestions and heard his proposal to build schools, factories, and military production across the Northern Territory.

Theus watched the Expeditionary Force’s settlement grow into a school and future city, then encouraged Alexei to turn the Northern Territory into a homeland for its people. With construction beginning and several people staying behind, transport capacity opened up for Duke Alvaray to be sent to tribunal for judgment.

• Theus and Alexei observed refugees and soldiers studying the Holy Scripture and imagined the Northern Territory growing into a prosperous homeland.
• Theus urged Alexei to build the land into a home for everyone, and Alexei chose to help shape the Northern Territory’s future.
• Theus stayed in the Northern Territory to oversee the Silent Temple prisoners and wait for news of Gwen, while Nora and Big Gwen also remained.
• Alexei and many Expeditionary Force soldiers stayed to help construct the Northern Territory, and trains began carrying more building materials north.
• Duke Alvaray was sent toward the tribunal to answer for his crimes despite having surrendered quickly.

Duke Alvaray traveled with Hunter to face the Tribunal, convinced that prompt, humble surrender would protect his standing. Along the way, he discovered how much more educated Castel’s ordinary soldiers were than he had expected.

• Alvaray told Hunter that their ancestors had gained power by surrendering to Great Sage Bruno, and praised Hunter for abandoning his family’s cause.
• Alvaray explained that he had come alone and answered the summons immediately so Castel would have little reason to punish him.
• Alvaray defended his decision not to feed outsiders, arguing that the Northern Territory had too little grain and that surrendering to Castel was easier.
• Alvaray marveled at the train and asked Hunter how it worked, while Hunter admitted he knew little about its construction.
• Hunter asked an Expeditionary Force soldier to read Alvaray’s Tribunal letter, and the soldier read it fluently before pointing out a spelling error and a grammatical issue.

On the train to Blood Port, Hunter revealed to Alvarez that the Expeditionary Force was filled with literate soldiers and people who could discuss calculus, leaving Alvarez stunned by Castel’s resources. When they arrived at Blood Port Station, Alvarez saw the brilliantly illuminated city and froze in amazement.

• Hunter corrected a misspelled word on Alvarez’s parchment and explained that he taught calculus to the Expeditionary Force.
• Alvarez noticed that the soldiers carried well-used books and concluded that the Expeditionary Force had an extraordinary number of literate people.
• Hunter told Alvarez that at least ten soldiers in their carriage could discuss calculus and reassured him that he could find work in Castel.
• Alvarez considered earning merit by helping the powers of the Northern Territory, while Hunter explained how he had gained favorable treatment by selling out his family.
• The train arrived at Blood Port Station after dark, and Alvarez stared in shock at the city’s countless bright lights.

Alvaray was brought to Blood Port to face trial and marveled at the city’s illuminated streets. After he tried to bribe guards at the Tribunal, they arrested him, where he met two men with opposing ties to his rule.

• Alvaray was astonished by Blood Port’s bright, busy nighttime streets as Hunter led him from the station.
• Alvaray registered his case at the Tribunal and learned he could move freely in Blood Port until his trial in three days.
• Alvaray offered two guards pouches of money as thanks, and they arrested him on an additional bribery charge.
• Hunter left to find lodging while Alvaray was taken to a holding cell with two Northern Territory men.
• One cellmate said he had fought for Alvaray, while the other said he had rebelled against Alvaray’s surrender; both asked Alvaray how he had ended up there.

Hunter showed Alvarez around Blood Port, where its lively workers and bustling shops contrasted with the Northern Territory. At the docks, Alvarez and Hunter discovered that the lighthouse stood directly in the sea, leaving Hunter aware of how little he understood about Castel.

• Hunter paid Alvarez's bail and took him to explore Blood Port.
• Alvarez watched workers heading to the factories and was struck by their energy and happiness.
• Hunter and Alvarez bought fried fish at Bettis's shop, where Josh was helping serve customers.
• Alvarez admired the harbor before noticing that its lighthouse rose directly from the water.
• Hunter wondered how Castel's building materials could support an underwater lighthouse and realized he knew little about the island.

Hunter explained concrete’s strength to Alvarez by recalling how aerial bombs had destroyed stone walls, then showed him the reinforced gas pipes running through Blood Port. Alvarez was left wondering how much steel the city had used in its dense network of pipelines.

• Alvarez recalled watching an aerial bomb destroy a stone city wall and force its defenders to surrender.
• Alvarez asked whether a concrete fortress could withstand aerial bombs, and Hunter said one had survived blasts that landed nearby.
• Alvarez questioned why Blood Port had built such a sturdy lighthouse, and Hunter pointed out the gas pipelines overhead.
• Hunter explained that gas could explode when mixed with air and ignited, then showed Alvarez a thick steel flange joining two pipes.
• Alvarez learned the exposed pipes could withstand musket fire and marveled at how much steel Blood Port’s network required.

Hunter showed Duke Alvaray how Blood Port’s vast infrastructure and cleanliness were built through ordinary people’s work, leaving the duke overwhelmed and fleeing into the sea. Nini rescued him and demanded an interview from Hunter in exchange for waiving a littering fine.

• Hunter explained to Duke Alvaray how Blood Port’s extensive steel pipes, sewers, and cleaning rules kept the city functioning.
• Hunter pointed out that ordinary workers built and maintained the industrial city, and Duke Alvaray became more frightened by mortals than by gods.
• Duke Alvaray threw down his cane and ran toward the docks, then plunged into the sea despite Hunter’s attempts to stop him.
• Nini emerged from the water holding Duke Alvaray and threatened Hunter with a fine for littering.
• Hunter agreed to Nini’s interview, while the dazed Duke Alvaray was identified as a rich man.

After being rescued from the sea, Alvarez decided he wanted to stay in Blood Port, drawn to its prosperity and the hope he believed was absent from the Northern Territory. After touring the city and meeting with the prince, he nervously entered the Tribunal for his trial.

• Nini threatened to throw Alvarez back into the sea, but Hunter stopped her by claiming Alvarez could make excellent fried fish.
• Alvarez asked to stay in Blood Port and offered to give up his money and land, explaining that he admired the hope and prosperity he saw there.
• Nini and Hunter agreed that Hunter would encourage Alvarez to visit Castel after his trial, in exchange for writing off his fifty-thousand-Leo debt.
• Nini told Monica she hoped to follow Alvarez and write a report about his experiences in Castel.
• Over the next three days, Hunter showed Alvarez around Blood Port, and Alvarez met privately with the prince before leaving with a suitcase full of soap.
• Alvarez took a deep breath and entered the Tribunal for his trial.

Theus and Chloe discussed Alvarez’s unusual case before Chloe sentenced him for his actions in the Northern Territory. Theus’s plan to spare Alvarez prison and use his wealth to fund reconstruction backfired when Alvarez demanded to be sent to Castel.

• Theus visited Chloe and asked how she planned to sentence Alvarez, whose crimes had caused limited harm and whose help during the expedition had been valuable.
• Alvarez appeared before the Tribunal and was impressed by how clearly the charges, laws, and sentencing factors were explained.
• Chloe ordered Alvarez’s Northern Territory lands confiscated except for his residence, while allowing him to keep his property subject to designated uses.
• Theus had recommended the sentence so Alvarez could use his influence and money to support development in the Northern Territory.
• Alvarez objected to the judgment and demanded imprisonment in Castel.

Alvarez avoided a sentence and secured Theus’s recommendation to go to Castel, while Hunter prepared to attend the Watts Family’s trial. Theus returned to the Throne Room and awoke in another body, asking Gwen how things were.

• Alvarez demanded a sentence that would let him go to Castel, and Theus explained that he could apply or accept a recommendation for work there.
• Alvarez accepted Theus’s recommendation and celebrated his chance to go to Castel, while Hunter warned him that people often went mad there.
• Hunter said he would miss going to Castel with Alvarez because he had to attend the Watts Family’s trial, where an important criminal was also expected.
• Theus asked Ash to guard the Throne Room, returned there, and then awakened in another body far away.
• Theus asked Gwen how things were.

Theus spoke with Gwen, who agreed to return to Castel to work and pay the mortgage on the shop she shared with Yami. He then left Blood Port for the Northern Territory, where he found Count Bazel had been thrown from the mist in a grotesquely altered skeletal form.

• Gwen told Theus she was still piecing together knowledge from the White Calamity and asked him not to disturb her until she succeeded.
• Theus reminded Gwen that Bettis had put her and Yami's names on a shop deed with a monthly mortgage, and Gwen agreed to return to Castel.
• Theus left Nini in charge of the banshees and boarded a train from Blood Port to the Northern Territory with Ash.
• Alexei and Gwen met Theus at the station and told him that the mist had thrown out something strange.
• Theus found a huge, warped skeleton restrained by Banshees and learned that it had been Count Bazel before the mist transformed him.

Theus captured Count Bazel, whose bones had been arranged to spell his identity before they reformed into a skeleton, and ordered him taken to face the Tribunal. In Blood Port, Bettis learned Bazel was being brought back and went to see him arrive, while Grandma carried her through the crowd toward the station.

• Finier explained that Bazel’s bones had been thrown from the mist in the shape of the words “This is Bazel” before reassembling into a skeletal giant.
• Theus greeted Bazel and ordered him taken to Blood Port and brought before the Tribunal, while a steel giant shattered his skeleton and had the bones loaded onto a truck.
• Bettis learned from Expeditionary Force soldiers that Bazel had been caught and would arrive by train, then hurried to the station to see him.
• Captain Kyle confronted the soldiers after hearing they were bullying Bettis, and Grandma led Bettis through the crowd before lifting her up.

Bazel arrived in Blood Port as a prisoner and was stunned by the city’s factories, ships, and heavily armed Banshees. Ash explained that Castel would put him to work as a boiler operator.

• Granny lifted Bettis above the crowd so she could watch the train arrive.
• Armed Expeditionary Force soldiers and Banshees secured the platform as Ash carried Bazel, a struggling half-skeleton, off the train.
• Bazel stared in shock at Blood Port’s industry and the Banshees, whose presence inspired respect rather than fear.
• Ash explained how the factories and Steam Engines worked, then told Bazel he would work as a boiler.

Ash paraded Bazel through Blood Port and brought him before the Tribunal for judgment. Bazel questioned whether Castel could be defeated, then Ash slammed him into the chair at the center of the packed courtroom.

• Ash led Bazel and the Banshees through Blood Port as the crowd cheered and prisoners of war trembled at the sight of Castel's Skyveil Behemoth.
• Ash brought Bazel to the harbor, where ironclad warships fired their Dragon Breath Cannons, and told him he would be sentenced in Blood Port before being sent to Castel.
• Bazel doubted whether he could defeat Castel's forces but clenched his teeth against his growing fear.
• Ash brought Bazel to the Tribunal, where Chief Judge Chloe, Josh, Zoe, Tata, Gaia, Richard, Theus, the prince, Galahad, Ewan, and civil officials had gathered.
• Ash crossed the Tribunal and slammed Bazel into the chair in its central recess, scattering bones.

In the Tribunal, Bazel’s memories revealed how Isabella’s defiance captivated him, how he accepted the White Bone Sanctuary’s help to seize the continent, and how his hatred of Nora drove him to order her death. Pinned before the court, he faced Lina’s accusation and the prince’s indifferent gaze.

• Bazel remembered being praised for his talent but scorned as a bastard, and how he sought approval among the nobles.
• Bazel recalled seeing Isabella face the nobles in court, kill Duke Sigmund and his allies, and name him Border Count.
• After hearing that Isabella had been assassinated, Bazel agreed to a deal with the White Bone Sanctuary to help him seize the continent.
• Bazel ordered his soldiers to kill Nora, whom he blamed for surviving while Isabella had died.
• Lina asked Bazel whether he pleaded guilty, and Bazel met the prince’s cold, indifferent gaze from his chair in the Tribunal.

During Bazel’s trial, his memories returned and he attempted to assassinate Theus, but the attack vanished against Theus’s hand. The trial was postponed, and Richard later discovered that Theus’s body appeared as complete darkness under examination, a sign usually associated with total corruption.

• Bazel remembered Lina and attacked Theus with shards of bone, but Ash crushed Bazel’s head before she could stop the attack.
• The bone reached Theus’s hand and vaporized without injuring him, leaving the Tribunal stunned.
• The prince credited Nini with stopping the assassination, and the trial was postponed so Theus could be examined.
• Rumors spread about a cult worshipping Castel as the Mystic Society gained followers, while Nini’s newspaper stopped publishing.
• Richard examined Theus with [Self-Binding] and saw only complete darkness, which he said usually indicated thorough corruption by Pollution.

After Theus blocked an impossibly fast assassination attack, Richard and the Prince considered whether he might be a [Named One]. The Prince decided that even if Theus were one, industry mattered more than his secrets, while Theus raised his security and scolded a Banshee for praying to him.

• Theus told Richard that he felt no ill effects, and Richard agreed to report that he had purified Pollution despite doubting the explanation.
• The Prince asked Galahad about the assassination attack, and Galahad said its speed exceeded the limits of ordinary Transcendents.
• The Prince considered whether Theus could be a [Named One], then argued that Castel's industrial strength could outweigh even a Named One's power.
• The Prince said a disaster caused by a Named One might be welcome because the world lacked one.
• Theus reviewed documents under a Banshee's guard and reprimanded the Banshee for praying to him through the Mind Link group.

Theus learned that the Banshees and factory workers continued to trust him despite rumors that he was a god. Worried that such belief would undermine science, he ordered more education for workers, and Gaia resolved to support him.

• Theus asked Una how the Banshees viewed him, and she said they cared more about his will than whether he was a god.
• Gaia brought reports showing that workers had eagerly discussed changing their faith, though many still treated Theus as a Machine Soul.
• Gaia said the workers' belief in Theus had improved stability and factory organization.
• Theus warned that being regarded as a god could weaken the authority of science and ordered more scientific education and collective study.
• Gaia accepted Theus's decision and reaffirmed her loyalty to him and Castel.

Theus expanded Castel’s education system with new textbooks and senior classes, drawing on research from Moth Chasing Flame’s testing grounds in Gem Bay. In the Northern Territory, Gwen received Theus’s letter inviting her to Castel and learned that the priests of the Silent Temple still had not awakened.

• Theus ordered new textbooks distributed, opened senior classes in Castel, and sent several crates of books to Alexei in the Northern Territory.
• Zoe organized Castel’s senior courses while continuing to promote universal education in Blood Port.
• Gwen reflected on the Resistance Army’s survival and the end of the war as she sat atop Calamity Prison Court.
• Grisha brought Gwen a letter from Theus, and she opened it expecting an invitation to Castel.
• Gwen read that the priests of the Silent Temple still had not awakened.