Chapter Summaries

Count Bazel discussed the Northern Territory alliance and the Holy See’s plans, then ordered Lina to prioritize information on the Bone White Crow and Moth Chasing Flame. In Frostwood Town, Granny realized a Candlelight Society Investigator was tracking her and prepared to face them directly.

• Count Bazel learned the grand dukes had chosen to remain allied with him and agreed to keep hunting resistance fighters for the Holy See.
• Bazel told Lina that gathering information on the Bone White Crow and Moth Chasing Flame was her priority, and she left by scattering into threads.
• Granny returned to her house in Frostwood Town and revealed her true appearance as a Moth Chasing Flame Transcendent sent by Theus to investigate the resistance fighters.
• Granny suspected a Candlelight Society Investigator had tracked her and decided to confront them rather than flee or wait for a mistake.
• Granny pulled a Dragon Breath Cannon from beneath her bed and prepared for a fight.

Granny used a Dragon Breath Cannon to kill Moth Chasing Flame’s short-bodied investigator in a public street, triggering chaos across the Northern Territory. She returned to warn the lord and decided to recommend carrying two cannons for greater sustained firepower.

• Granny completed a death-bound communication ritual, concealed the Dragon Breath Cannon inside her body, and walked into the street openly.
• Moth Chasing Flame’s investigator confronted Granny, and residents transformed into threads and fired flintlock guns at him, but their bullets did no harm.
• Granny fired the Dragon Breath Cannon at the investigator, killing him and carving a molten trench through the street.
• The killing threw the town and then the Northern Territory into turmoil, while Granny returned home to destroy the ritual’s traces and prepare to warn the lord.
• Granny decided to suggest that the lord equip her with two Dragon Breath Cannons.

Granny reported that Castel’s Dragon Breath Cannon could kill even an invincible Investigator, prompting Theus to ask how it changed the balance of Transcendent combat. Richard realized Moth Chasing Flame could use Granny’s clones to carry two cannons and defeat an Investigator head-on, potentially overturning the existing combat rankings.

• Granny’s return caused Castel’s people to crowd Nora with questions about whether the new weapons could kill her, until Nora begged Monica to take her to Theus.
• Monica explained Nora’s ordeal to Theus, who awkwardly promised to end the experiments and suggested a ball game, earning a ball to the face.
• Theus asked Granny about the Dragon Breath Cannon, and Granny explained how Transcendents’ combat strengths varied across their paths.
• Granny revealed that she had blasted an Investigator to ash while he was using his invincibility ability, confirming her theory that his physical enhancement had a limit.
• Granny said two Dragon Breath Cannons were needed for a guaranteed victory, and Richard recognized that her clones could conceal and carry them into direct combat.

Theus learned how the Dragon Breath Cannon could reshape Transcendent combat and heard reports of a devastating defeat for the Northern Territory resistance. He decided to travel by sea and airship to investigate and try to save the survivors, then learned that the persistent sea fog was the White Calamity.

• Richard explained that the Dragon Breath Cannon had a short effective range but could make its wielder a top-tier combatant.
• Granny told Theus that she had reached the vicinity of Dragonfang Duchy before an Investigator noticed her, and described the Northern Territory's rulers and Galahad's [Knight] path.
• Richard revealed that Duke Cohen was an imperial loyalist who had sent his illegitimate son to serve as a Border Count, and Theus realized Cohen was his father.
• Granny reported an unverified rumor that Bazel's Wolves of Winter had won a brutal victory over the resistance and killed many fighters.
• Theus decided to send a ship and a smaller airship to Rift City, then cross Duke Alvaray's territory to search for the resistance.
• Granny told Theus that the persistent, dense fog over the sea was the White Calamity.

Yami struggled to decide what work to pursue until Bettis proposed opening a stall with Grandma Penny to sell fried fish and French fries. Their plan looked promising once Yami realized Gwen could help them obtain olive oil through High Priest Josh, whose name left him trembling.

• Yami worried that the literacy class was ending and considered factory work after the expeditionary army stopped urgently recruiting.
• Bettis asked Yami whether he liked French fries and fried fish, then revealed that she and Grandma Penny wanted to open a food stall.
• Yami calculated that factory workers could afford the food and saw potential in selling cheap fish and potatoes.
• Bettis introduced her friend Gwen, who said High Priest Josh could help her obtain olive oil.
• Yami recognized Josh as a powerful figure in Blood Port and began to tremble.

Gwen and her friends opened a fish-and-fries stall near the docks, where it quickly attracted customers. Theus visited and asked Gwen whether she remembered her Northern Territory village and if many people there shared her name, leaving her startled by the question.

• Yami agreed to help Gwen and her companions, and they opened Yami's Fish & French Fries the next day.
• The stall drew a crowd with its cheap food, while Yami handled supplies and accounts and Gwen and Bettis cooked.
• Yami tried to sneak food, but Gwen caught him and stopped him from stealing fries.
• Theus came to buy food and asked Gwen which Northern Territory town she came from; Gwen said she could not remember and that her village had been empty when she left.
• Theus asked whether many people in the Northern Territory were named Gwen, and Gwen stared at him in surprise.
• Theus gave Bettis one of his packets of fries.

Theus recalled how Nora identified the white fog he encountered as likely connected to the White Calamity, despite the fact that it had appeared at sea. The chapter left him considering whether the mysterious fog was in the legendary Shattered Sea beyond the Pure White Realm.

• Bettis shared French Fries with Gwen, who said she recognized Theus as a good person by his comforting presence.
• Theus enjoyed the fries and reflected that his territory and industrial plans had made him less eager to return home or pursue Transcendence.
• Theus recalled fleeing Worker Theus's shell after white fog disrupted his ability to manipulate the threads and seemed to contain a threatening presence.
• Nora explained that the White Calamity had never been known to reach the sea, but changed her mind after hearing Theus's description of the fog.
• Nora suggested the fog might have appeared in the legendary Shattered Sea beyond the Pure White Realm, and Theus began to consider that possibility.

Theus questioned Nora about the resistance and learned that its refugees faced severe organizational and supply problems, while Gwen might be their best chance. Gwen recalled losing her parents during the war and fleeing her village, then wondered why people still suffered under the powerful Empire.

• Theus asked Nora about the resistance, and she realized he might be testing the Dragon Breath Cannon in the Northern Territory.
• Nora explained that the resistance lacked military organization and local support, and said Gwen might help them find a way out.
• Theus asked Nora to explain Gwen’s background in detail.
• Gwen told Isaac that her parents disappeared while seeking food during the war, and she fled her village after her food ran low.
• Gwen said she had followed fleeing villagers and later joined a Silent Temple priest instead of returning home.
• Isaac described the Empire’s continuing conflicts, and Gwen asked why people suffered despite its strength and wise Empress.

Isaac led the Resistance Army to capture Kaven Town, where they hanged the local lord and tax collector and distributed grain to the subjects. The Winter Wolves prepared to retaliate, but their plans were interrupted when the Head Wolf found Lina in his room.

• Isaac persuaded Gwen that the Resistance Army could use local support and intelligence to attack Kaven Town across the plains.
• The Resistance Army spread rumors of an attack on Grey Bear Town, keeping the Winter Wolves on alert while the force moved elsewhere.
• The Resistance Army captured Kaven Town, hanged its baron and tax collector, and distributed thirty percent of the town's grain to the subjects.
• The Winter Wolves celebrated after seeing no attack on Grey Bear Town, then learned that Kaven Town had fallen and its grain stores were gone.
• The Head Wolf prepared to march on Kaven Town the next day, but found Lina in his room that morning.

Lina slaughtered the Winter Wolf Guard’s leaders and forced the surviving soldiers to kneel before demanding to know where the Resistance was. Near Grey Bear Town, Isaac and Gwen learned that chaos had erupted in the Winter Wolf camp and realized the Guard might be changing its lead wolf.

• Lina killed the Alpha Wolf by tearing off his head, then moved through the camp killing other high-ranking Winter Wolves.
• The soldiers discovered a mound of headless bodies with Lina seated above them on a throne of heads, and most knelt in fear.
• Lina asked the soldiers where the Resistance was.
• Isaac and Gwen waited near Grey Bear Town for the Winter Wolves to take the road north, but the Guard did not set out.
• Isaac received a report that the camp was in chaos and many people had died, then explained that replacing the lead wolf could require a major purge.

Isaac explained how Count Bazel maintained control of the Winter Wolf Guard and planned to kill the Transcendent protecting him, which could destabilize the Northern Territory. After entering Grey Bear Town to carry out the plan, Isaac spotted corpses in the military camp and discovered that a young girl had found him.

• Isaac told Gwen that Bazel likely relied on a loyal combat Transcendent to replace rebellious Winter Wolf Guard leaders and maintain control of his army.
• Isaac planned to kill Bazel's [Knight] Transcendent, believing the resulting power struggle would give the Resistance Army a chance to escape.
• Isaac assured Gwen he could handle the mission and headed toward Grey Bear Town while Gwen prepared the Resistance Army to receive him.
• Isaac entered town, concealed himself, and used [Self-Binding] to inspect the houses and military camp.
• Isaac saw at least a dozen bodies at the camp, abandoned his plan, and found a young girl standing beside him who said, "I found you."

Isaac discovered that Lina had ambushed him and used his abilities to flee between bodies, but she tracked him through the Sea of Unconsciousness and captured him. He could not escape her grip, while Lina’s body had already been sealed by Moth Chasing Flame and the group had paid little attention to her soul.

• Isaac recognized Lina as the traitor he had rooted out and escaped her initial attack by transferring his soul through the Sea of Unconsciousness into a clone.
• Isaac warned Gwen that something was wrong, but Lina tracked him to the outskirts and injured him despite his defensive ability.
• Isaac fled into the Sea of Unconsciousness again, but Lina’s grip followed him and dragged him back to her.
• Lina held Isaac by the neck as he struggled unsuccessfully to escape and wondered how she could overpower him and track him across the Sea of Unconsciousness.
• Moth Chasing Flame had sealed Lina’s body, while its members had paid little attention to her soul.

Lina tortured Isaac for information about Nora and a mysterious thing, then tried to search him herself. Isaac used his hidden contamination attack to create a chance to escape his body, but Lina's response left him gravely injured as his consciousness began to fade.

• Lina crushed Isaac's hand and demanded to know where Nora and the thing she sought were.
• Isaac realized Lina knew Nora's head had been sent to the prince and wondered why she did not expect him to recognize her from Castel.
• Isaac used his [Investigator] ability to make Lina hesitate, then fired a pistol that released tangible contamination instead of a bullet.
• Lina looked at the contamination with longing rather than fear and kicked Isaac away before he could be infected.
• Isaac's chest caved in, and as his consciousness blurred, he was glad he had a chance to escape his body.

Isaac abandoned his body to escape Lina and drifted into the Sea of Unconsciousness, where he encountered the [Chrysalis] and learned his soul had long been marked. As Lina dragged him away, Gwen sensed he was still in Grey Bear Town and decided to go help him.

• Isaac abandoned his shell and let the [Chrysalis] guide his soul into the Sea of Unconsciousness.
• Isaac glimpsed the [Three-Pointed Gate] and the true body of the [Chrysalis] before asking Lord Kaeschi for help.
• The [Chrysalis] told Isaac his soul had been marked and said, "Someone will save you... [Gwen's Friend]," as Lina dragged him away.
• Gwen found Isaac missing, sensed that he remained in the city, and decided to return to support him.

Gwen led the Resistance Army in a surprise attack on Grey Bear Town, where she confronted a Transcendence being who had seized Isaac. After shooting the woman and driving her off, Gwen ordered part of the army to tend to Isaac and led the rest toward the barracks.

• Gwen decided to attack Grey Bear Town before the Winter Wolves could organize a defense and rallied the Resistance Army to charge.
• Gwen reached the town gate and found a red-haired girl gripping Isaac by the neck.
• The girl attacked Gwen and knocked her away, but Gwen shot the girl in the abdomen with her pistol.
• The wounded girl fled as the Resistance Army arrived, and Gwen ordered two soldiers to help Isaac while she led the others toward the barracks.

Gwen and the Resistance Army captured Grey Bear Town after Lina’s purge left the Winter Wolves terrified and disorganized. After the townspeople celebrated their victory, Gwen worried about the enemy forces in the other towns and went to check on Isaac, who awoke and urged her to flee.

• Gwen’s forces attacked the Winter Wolves at the barracks, and repeated volleys sent the enemy into a panicked rout.
• Gwen led the Resistance fighters in pursuit, but the Winter Wolves’ chaotic flight made capturing them difficult and spread disorder through the town.
• The Resistance Army and townspeople fought from daylight until nightfall, driving out or killing the Winter Wolves and seizing their supplies.
• The townspeople welcomed the Resistance Army, while Gwen celebrated before worrying that the remaining Winter Wolves would bring reinforcements from two other towns.
• Gwen went to check on Isaac, who opened his eyes and told her to escape while he held off the threat.

Theus and his allies learned that Isaac’s Ashen Alliance had contacted the Northern Territory Resistance Army, which was close to collapse under the threat of Bazel’s Winter Wolf Guard. After analyzing the enemy’s advantages, Theus declared that Nora could still fight, prompting Monica to question how.

• Theus told the gathering that Isaac’s Ashen Alliance had reached out and that the Northern Territory Resistance Army faced imminent destruction.
• Nora described Isaac’s planned cooperation with the Resistance Army and explained that neither group knew about Blood Port or its strength.
• Alexei explained how the Wolves of Winter’s pistol cavalry could outmaneuver the poorly trained Resistance Army on the open plains.
• Nora warned that the Resistance Army could be forced from its forest refuge and admitted she had previously misjudged its fate.
• Theus insisted that Nora could still fight, and Monica pointed at Nora’s head and challenged the claim.

Theus and the others assessed the Resistance Army’s desperate position in the Northern Territory and discussed how to reach it before it fell. Tata proposed a new ship that might provide a way to help, leaving Theus intrigued by its promised capabilities.

• Theus clarified that Nora was still fighting despite being dead, and Monica suggested she might be stronger without her weakness.
• Alexei explained that the Northern Territory’s open plains and undefended towns left the Resistance Army vulnerable to Winter Wolf’s cavalry.
• Theus estimated that the Resistance Army could hold out for only two weeks, while travel and political obstacles would delay any relief.
• Chloe revealed that Isaac was still alive and might return information if he died and a ritual was performed.
• Tata offered a compact, reliable ship capable of carrying a Dragon Breath Cannon, and Theus wondered whether it could meet those requirements.

Theus and the others considered ways to support the Northern Territory, first rejecting Tata’s bizarre Assault Coffin design before Ash proposed sending Banshees through the waterways. Theus saw promise in the plan but concluded that the Symbiotic Pact’s range limit would sharply restrict how long the Banshees could fight.

• Tata presented Theus with his Type 01 Assault Boat, a sealed coffin pulled by nine Banshees and armed with fifty-four Dragon Breath Cannons.
• Theus called the design “nine dragons and nine serpents pulling a coffin” and ordered Monica to throw Tata out; Monica and Nini then joked about the design.
• Ash suggested sending a team of nine Banshees through the sea and along the Koller River to reach Castel, estimating that the trip could take four days.
• Theus pointed out that the Symbiotic Pact had a range limit, and Ash confirmed that the Banshees could only spend a day or two fighting after the round trip.
• Theus marked the Banshees’ likely operational range on the map and reasoned that they could find the Resistance Army by following the river and nearby forests.

Theus sent Banshee units to support the Resistance Army in the Northern Territory and assessed how the Candlelight Society might respond. He then confronted Castel’s slow intelligence network and considered building a radio station, but stopped to question whether radio signals were safe.

• Theus ordered Banshees to travel north, support the Resistance Army, and report important intelligence while Ash organized the deployment.
• Richard explained that the Candlelight Society had relatively few Investigators and that organized Banshee units could resist them effectively.
• Theus ended the meeting and recognized that intelligence from the Northern Territory arrived too slowly to support urgent decisions.
• Theus decided Castel needed a radio station and considered having researchers develop one.
• Theus paused before drawing up a schematic and wondered whether radio transmissions could attract or receive something dangerous.