Recaps

Aaron confronted Mother Nature through Bruce, calmed her rampaging power, and made her sign a binding contract to serve his lord. He planned to seek out Raven next and assess how the Age Controllers’ alliance had changed.

• Bruce, possessed by Mother Nature, told Aaron that his lord favored Motula and asked whether she would fight in the Spirit Realm when Motula tried to ascend.
• Mother Nature became enraged at Aaron’s attempt to bind her, transforming Bruce and causing vines to overrun the surroundings.
• Aaron used his authority as the Spirit of Void to suppress the vines and calm Mother Nature, while deciding he needed to save Lin and Olivia to learn what had happened to them.
• Aaron invoked his lord’s will to persuade Mother Nature to accept a contract, then had the Law of Accident notarize it.
• Mother Nature marked the parchment with an emerald imprint, completing the contract and making her subject to fate’s punishment if she broke it.
• Aaron planned to visit Raven and learn how the Age Controllers’ alliance had changed.

Pope Harnot Egg considered Raven’s plan to release two imprisoned sisters and worried that his age made the dangerous path to becoming a Longevity One too risky. Meanwhile, William scouted the Knowledge Temple to prepare a prison break, while Aaron and Bran discussed the plan’s likely success.

• Harnot Egg reasoned that Raven wanted the Church to let the two sisters escape while making it appear that the enemy had outwitted them, and he reflected on the possible return of Longevity Ones.
• Harnot Egg lamented that, despite the Age Controllers’ permission and a prepared ritual, his age and waning vigor made advancement into a Longevity One perilous.
• William passed the Knowledge Temple in disguise and used Book Thief talismans to copy two Night Watchers’ knowledge of its patrols and layout.
• William learned that Aros was about to be transferred and the new prison warden had not yet been chosen, then asked Bran for help with the escape plan.
• Bran left William, and Aaron welcomed the crow on a rooftop as Bran declared that the greatness within Aaron had awakened.

Aaron discussed Motula’s planned advancement and the requirements of the pure Secrecy pathway with 'Raven', then examined a mark of the 'Gate of Longevity' through divination. He confirmed that he needed to pass through the true gate, though 'Raven' said doing so was impossible without every Age Controller’s permission.

• Aaron asked 'Raven' about the Twelve Age Controllers’ attitudes toward Motula’s advancement and learned that Motula met the requirements for the pure Secrecy pathway but feared the 'Keeper of Secrets'.
• 'Raven' explained that the 'Gate of Longevity' lay beyond a pale forest, a crimson river, and the Tower of Babel, and that Age Controllers sensed anyone who approached it.
• Aaron asked to examine the 'Gate of Longevity' mark, and 'Raven' gave him a strand of its radiance.
• Aaron used divination on the mark, saw the Spirit Realm’s summit and the 'Gate of Longevity', and felt a terrifying gaze from behind it.
• Aaron concluded that the gate’s projection was useless to him and that he had to pass through the true gate, while 'Raven' warned that this required every Age Controller’s permission.

Aaron enlisted Raven to persuade neutral Age Controllers to permit Motula’s ascension and ordered Bran to help William rescue someone from the Church of the God of Wisdom. William and Bran then devised a plan to sneak William into the church, and the chapter left them waiting for the church’s specialists to examine the book containing him.

• Aaron asked Raven to persuade neutral Age Controllers to tacitly allow Motula’s ascension, promising him a great reward.
• Aaron compelled Bran to help his nephew’s descendant rescue someone from the Church of the God of Wisdom, and Bran later met William.
• William learned that Pope Harnot Egg had left Plymouth and planned to exploit his absence.
• William transformed into information and hid inside a book, which Bran left where a night watchman would find it.
• The night watchman brought William’s book to Captain Kings, who ordered it sent to the library for specialists to examine.

William used a controlled Night Watcher to infiltrate the Knowledge Temple and reach its underground prison. After passing the sphinx’s test, he entered the prison, where a contaminated book nearly bewitched him into believing it belonged to him.

• William controlled a Night Watcher and used knowledge of sleep and dreams to put the underground prison guards to sleep.
• William reached the prison gate, where a living stone sphinx demanded he answer where the panacea could be found.
• William answered that the Rational Amulet and the power of the Spirit of Void were the panacea, and the sphinx opened the gate.
• William explored the prison and saw dangerous materials and mystical items behind its iron doors.
• A contaminated book tried to implant the memory that it belonged to William, but he recognized the bewitchment and shifted the contamination into the Night Watcher.

William rescued Lily and Jesita from the Knowledge Temple prison while Aaron watched from afar, and the fleeing group drew the attention of other churches. Bosadek and a Death-Announcing Bird investigator were trapped in a looping street as Anastasia and Buzger Hash arrived and recognized a powerful presence sealing the area.

• Lily and Jesita studied in their cell until William arrived to rescue them on the Count's orders, then warped open their prison door.
• Crow Bran used the Bloodline Secret Inheritance—Door-Opening Technique to open a way through the Knowledge Temple's defenses, allowing William and the sisters to escape Plymouth.
• Aaron observed the escape, while Bosadek and the Winterers pursued the fugitives after suspecting them of working with an evil organization.
• Bosadek encountered a Death-Announcing Bird investigator, and the two realized an unknown power had trapped them in a street that looped back on itself.
• Anastasia and Buzger Hash arrived and identified the force sealing the street as extraordinarily powerful, though it was not a Spirit Realm creature.

Aaron let Buzger Hash and Anastasia leave after they recognized him as the Count of Green Forest, then entered Plymouth’s collective subconsciousness to use Thought Alchemy against the three organizations that had targeted him. He planted a story promising that the Gourmet, the Blood-Robed Man, and the witch leader would eventually repay what they had taken.

• Buzger Hash apologized to Aaron, understood that the mist offered a chance to retreat, and led Evil Spirit away.
• Anastasia tried to summon an ice-forged spear, but it broke under Aaron’s complete Law, so she withdrew with Bosadek.
• Aaron decided not to pursue the departing Majesties because Raven was recruiting them and he had already gathered enough spirituality to advance.
• Aaron transformed into a Spirit Realm Wraith and entered Plymouth’s ocean of collective subconsciousness.
• Aaron used Thought Alchemy to tell a story about three greedy thieves who targeted a count’s magical jar, ending with the count’s promise that they would return everything they took.

Aaron used dreams to spread a fairy tale that would increase the odds of him encountering three thieves, while the Investigation Bureau investigated the resulting contamination across Plymouth. The Orthodox God Churches refused to intervene after learning the fairy tale might be connected to the legendary Count.

• Defuli, his wife, and their colleagues remembered fragments of The Count and the three thieves, and editor-in-chief Elmer ordered the publishing house to find the complete story for a magazine anthology.
• Aaron explained that he had spread the story through people's dreams to make them believe The Count would meet the three thieves, then used Lucky Accident on himself.
• Deputy Director Percy reported the suspected dream and Cognitive Alteration contamination to The Count, and the Investigation Bureau convened an emergency meeting.
• Director Rio Sodoma said the contamination covered more than half of Plymouth and could be Angel Grade or Unknowable Grade, while Percy urged the Bureau to seek help from the Orthodox God Churches.
• The head of the Third Office announced that the churches would not interfere because the fairy tale might be connected to the legendary Count, leaving Percy and the officials in silence.

The Witch Sisterhood leader met with the Blood Cup Archbishop and Flander, discussing traitors and a troubling fairy tale while trusting the Age Controllers to protect them. In Plymouth, Aaron created the Endless Jar through Thought Alchemy and brought it to the Sothos Museum in Green Forest City, where he spotted a noblewoman arriving.

• The Witch Sisterhood leader prayed to the Underworld Moon, whose protection hid her from the Count of Green Forest.
• The witch leader met with the Blood Cup Archbishop and Flander through a mirror, and they discussed their secret reporting, the Plymouth stronghold, and traitors in the Sisterhood.
• The witch leader threatened to curse the two traitors and warned that the fairy tale “The Count and the Three Thieves” might be a prophecy or curse.
• Aaron used Thought Alchemy to create the Endless Jar, which produced a small amount of gold and silver each day but depended on people remembering the tale behind it.
• Aaron took the jar to the Sothos Museum in Green Forest City, where Sylvia welcomed visitors and Aaron noticed a noblewoman stepping from her carriage.

The witch leader, disguised as Julianna Kegg, confronted Aaron outside the Sothos Museum, and he trapped them both in a scarlet territory where he could impose his laws. After several layers of misfortune turned her attempts to escape against her, the Book of Witches swallowed her when her blood marked her true name.

• The witch leader arrived at the Sothos Museum in Green Forest City disguised as Julianna Kegg, but her pendant cracked when she sensed Aaron approaching.
• Aaron invoked the Red Earl's territory, moving himself and the witch leader into a sealed scarlet space and shielding the street's inhabitants from their battle.
• Aaron forcibly established a contract accusing the witch leader of stealing his earthenware jar, and its breach added a curse of fate to her misfortunes.
• The witch leader tried to break through the boundary with Witch Hunter's Wail, but the pistol exploded in her hand and badly injured her.
• The witch leader broke the seals on the Book of Witches to distract Aaron, but her blood landed on its page, and the book swallowed her after revealing her true name.

Aaron used the Book of Witches to obtain a witch’s eye, then sent a signal to his allies and set events in motion for war. He located Flander and the Blood Cup Archbishop in Jason City and attacked their underground hideout, throwing the city into panic.

• Aaron returned the earthen jar to Sylvia’s office and used the Book of Witches to retrieve a witch’s eye for divination.
• Aaron summoned a Gumon Giant and ordered it to tell Motula that he could begin his advancement.
• Aaron sent signals to Raven and Mother Nature, then used the witch’s eye to locate two figures in a mirror at a villa outside Green Forest City.
• Aaron appeared in Jason City, brought down a building to expose an underground labyrinth, and called for Flander and the Blood Cup Archbishop to come out.
• Jason City’s residents panicked as Aaron attacked the labyrinth with lightning, while investigators sought help and the Orthodox God Churches opened shelters for refugees.

Aaron let the Blood Cup Archbishop and Flander summon the attention of the Mother of Night and the Lord of Corpse Collection, then easily broke their attacks while the Investigation Bureau feared the city would be destroyed. The Blood Cup Archbishop sacrificed his arm to summon two mythical Descenders from the Spirit Realm, leaving Aaron to face them.

• Aaron allowed the Blood Cup Archbishop and Flander to finish praying to the Lord of Corpse Collection and the Mother of Night.
• The gods' attention spread corrupt occult auras across the city, alarming people in shelters and the Investigation Bureau.
• Rio Sodoma ordered the Investigation Bureau to prepare to contain the corruption or seal off the city, while Anastasia and the High Patriarch of the Church of the God of Death said Aaron could still turn things around.
• Aaron shattered Flander's crimson radiance and crushed the Blood Cup Archbishop's holy grail phantom.
• The Blood Cup Archbishop tore off his left arm as a sacrifice and summoned a scarlet-robed ghost and a pale girl in a black Gothic dress from the Spirit Realm.

Aaron killed a Descender with the Sword in the Stone, prompting an Age Controller to begin descending into the city. In the Mist of History, Motula began advancing toward the Tenth Primordial, [Secrecy], as the Keeper of Secrets discovered his hiding place.

• Aaron resisted a corrupted Law and killed the Descender in the form of a Gothic girl with the Sword in the Stone.
• The Blood Cup Archbishop and Flander reeled at the death of a Longevity Being, while Rio, Buzger Hash, and Anastasia recognized the danger posed by Aaron and sensed an Age Controller descending.
• Motula recalled the Scarlet Sun’s destruction of the world and why he had sheltered the Gumon clan.
• Motula began the ritual to become the Tenth Primordial, [Secrecy], using a damaged stone that contained a trace of the Scarlet Sun.
• The Keeper of Secrets discovered Motula’s hiding place and prepared to strike.

Aaron fought the Lord of Corpse Collection’s descent in the mortal world while, in the Spirit Realm, a gray-robed woman approached Motula’s secret realm. The chapter ended as Raven withdrew and a forest of metallic trees rose to block her path.

• Aaron sensed Motula’s advancement, then used the Sword in the Stone to destroy a projection of the Lord of Corpse Collection and grievously wound its true body in the Spirit Realm.
• The Lord of Corpse Collection’s divine attendants attacked Aaron to buy time for its vessel’s fusion, but Aaron killed them as the fusion was delayed.
• Rio, Buzger Hash, and Anastasia watched Aaron’s battle from the Investigation Bureau branch, with Anastasia recognizing his extraordinary strength.
• The Lord of Corpse Collection completed its descent as a towering scarlet-cloaked figure, and Aaron prepared to fight it with all his strength.
• A gray-robed woman approached Motula’s secret realm and asked Raven whether he would stop her; Raven said someone else would intervene, and metallic trees rose into a forest before her.

Mother Nature and the Gumon Giants tried to delay the Keeper of Secrets while Motula ascended, but Mother of Night’s interference let the Keeper reach the ascension site. Motula completed his ascension and emerged as a true hidden existence.

• Mother Nature confronted the Keeper of Secrets in the Steel Jungle, but her plan to stall him was undermined when Mother of Night arrived and used her influence to turn Mother Nature against herself.
• Mother of Night prevented Raven from intervening, leaving Motula to face the Keeper of Secrets directly.
• The Keeper of Secrets crossed the cobalt-blue Mist of History and tried to disrupt Motula’s ascension.
• The leader of the Gumon Giants attacked the Keeper of Secrets and used Historical Retrospection, but the Keeper shattered its body and stopped the ritual.
• The Gumon Giant leader’s lingering projection unexpectedly solidified, accelerating time around the lake and allowing Motula to complete his ascension.

Motula confronted the Keeper of Secrets after advancing to a hidden existence, while Aaron stopped the Lord of Corpse Collection’s incarnation from destroying the mortal world. Aaron’s victory left Rio Sodoma convinced that the kingdom would have to appease the Count of Green Forest.

• Raven explained that the Gumon Giant’s Historical Retrospection had accelerated Motula’s advancement, allowing him to open [Secrecy] before the Keeper of Secrets arrived.
• Motula’s advancement and the Gumon chief’s death pushed him toward losing control, and he wrapped the descending Keeper of Secrets in a cocoon of Mist of History.
• Aaron hurled the Sword in the Stone into the Lord of Corpse Collection’s vessel, causing its scarlet form to collapse beneath the weapon’s white light.
• The light cleansed the contaminated civilians, while witnesses at the Investigation Bureau marveled that Aaron had defeated an incarnation of an Age Controller.
• Rio Sodoma abandoned the idea of opposing Aaron and resolved to notify Mitra Palace and arrange an appeasement plan.

Aaron used a decree from another history to make the lunar calendar real across the world, creating a hidden thirteenth month and potentially a new Age Controller seat. The alteration left most people unaware of the change, while All-History Expert Marcel Quinn remembered the disturbance but could not reveal its secrets.

• Aaron worried that Motula might fall to the Keeper of Secrets and opened the secrecy iron box containing Arthur IX's signed decree.
• Aaron invoked the Spirit of Void to decree the lunar calendar's history true, spreading the change across the world.
• Rio, Buzger Hash, and Anastasia sensed that the lunar calendar's leap month implied a forgotten thirteenth Age Controller.
• Marcel Quinn realized history had been altered when his student Lynn described the lunar calendar as an ordinary part of the kingdom's calendar.
• Marcel explained that All-History Experts could remember historical disturbances but could not reveal them, then wept over the burden of keeping secrets.

Aaron used a Fate Controller-level adjudication to establish the leap month in the main world’s history, creating a new Age Controller seat for Motula. Motula ascended and weakened the Keeper of Secrets, while Mother of Night’s silence left Mother Nature bound by corruption.

• Aaron explained that his adjudication made the lunar calendar and leap month part of the main world’s history, while erasing Arthur IX and casting Aaron as a scapegoat.
• Raven and Mother of Night observed the adjudication and recognized Motula’s chance to become an Age Controller.
• Raven noted that Mother Nature could help Motula ascend, but Mother of Night’s corruption prevented her from claiming the seat.
• Motula transformed from a Secrecy existence into an Age Controller of Leap Month and gained part of the Gate of Longevity’s authority.
• Motula’s ascension diminished the Keeper of Secrets’ authority over Secrecy, and Motula vanished into the Mist of History while the Keeper of Secrets did not pursue him.

King Arthur VI and his officials discussed the Count of Green Forest’s overwhelming power and tried to establish contact through the Green Banyan Council. Rio Sodoma then revealed that history had been altered worldwide, and the kingdom concluded it could only accept the changed history as real.

• Rio Sodoma confirmed that the Count of Green Forest had killed Flander, the Blood Cup, and the Descenders, and had driven away an Age Controller’s vessel.
• Arthur VI and his officials agreed to approach the Green Banyan Council through the Farelke Family, with a Foreign Minister position offered as an incentive.
• Rio reported that researchers had discovered world-level contamination that altered history, including the existence of both the New Calendar and the lunar calendar.
• Rio said investigators and foreign societies had verified the alteration, which affected even South Innis and could cause a worldwide catastrophe.
• Rio told Arthur VI that the altered history could not be reversed and had to be recorded and treated as real.

After Aaron drove away Lord of Corpse Collection's incarnation and killed Flander and the Blood Cup Archbishop, he met with Motula to discuss the Gate of Longevity and their plans. They decided Motula would seek other historical markers, while Aaron directed him to help rescue Mother Nature from the Mother of Night's corruption.

• Aaron reflected on the Secret Source and his approaching step toward [Longevity] before falling asleep.
• Motula visited Aaron after becoming an Age Controller and confirmed he had gained authority over the leap month and access to the Gate of Longevity.
• Aaron rejected Motula's suggestion that the Spirit of Void intervene directly, fearing it would awaken the other Fate Controllers, and assigned Motula to find historical markers for other Gates of History.
• Motula explained that Mother Nature's ascension had failed because the Mother of Night had contaminated and eroded half of her thoughts and spirituality.
• Aaron declared Mother Nature worthy of redemption, and Motula agreed that saving her would mean opposing the Mother of Night, Lord of Corpse Collection, and the Underworld Moon's faction.

Aaron reflected on his growing influence and his need to advance carefully, then hosted a gathering of the Invisible Cult with Motula, the Age Controller of Secrecy. The members learned that Aaron had defeated the evil organizations and introduced Motula as a senior member of their cult.

• Aaron decided that his advancement still depended on exploring histories and that he would avoid rushing his cultivation with the Power of Secret Source.
• Aaron invited Motula to the Invisible Cult gathering and created a grand hall with an empty throne for the Spirit of Void.
• The cult members arrived, and Nicholas thanked Aaron for helping him become a Mechanical Mentor while William reported rescuing Lily and Jesita.
• Aaron told Lily that the Witch Sisterhood, Gourmet Association, and Lotus Eater Society had lost their leaders and suffered heavy losses.
• Aaron revealed that he had driven away an Age Controller's incarnation during the battle in Jason City, and Ye Funai injured her eyes after looking at Motula.
• Aaron healed Ye Funai and introduced Motula as an Age Controller and a high-ranking member of the Invisible Cult.

Aaron announced that Lilliat would become the future Countess of Green Forest and bestowed the Green Forest Ring of Power and two relics on her. He then entered Mitra Palace and revealed himself to Arthur VI and his ministers as the Count of Green Forest.

• Ye Funai and the Invisible Cult members concluded that Aaron had secretly prepared an Age Controller tied to the leap month.
• Aaron declared that Lilliat Sothos would restore the Sothoth Family’s name and become the future Countess of Green Forest.
• Lilliat performed a bestowal ritual and received the genuine Green Forest Ring of Power and two relics intended for her advancement to Living Dead.
• Aaron explained that he had freed Auclair from the ring and arranged the relics for Lilliat, then entered Mitra Palace unnoticed.
• Aaron opened the conference room doors and told Arthur VI that he was Count of Green Forest.

In December 1028, Lilliat Sothos received the hereditary title of Countess of Green Forest, along with sweeping control over Green Forest City and its surrounding territory. As she prepared to return home, she met Aaron, who introduced himself as the abdicated Count of Green Forest.

• Orrben and other reporters waited outside Mitra Palace to cover Lilliat Sothos’s ennoblement.
• The reporters learned that Lilliat would rule Green Forest City and its surrounding areas, including local nobles and taxation, with a large guard force.
• Lilliat introduced herself as a descendant of the ancient Sothoth Family and declared that she would restore her family’s former Glory.
• Lilliat left the palace and returned to her carriage, relieved that the court ceremonies and political scheming were over.
• Lilliat found Aaron seated across from her, and he introduced himself as Aaron Sothoth, the Count of Green Forest who had abdicated.

Lord Rake complained to Viscount Ovdin about the Countess’s authority, while Ovdin secretly continued his alchemy experiments. On the train to Green Forest City, Aaron told Lilliat how he would help her govern and revealed Ovdin’s hidden identity, leaving Lilliat emotional as she approached her hometown.

• Lord Rake urged Viscount Ovdin to oppose the Countess’s privileges, but Ovdin said the Kingdom had already chosen compromise and privately scorned Rake for wanting to leave.
• Viscount Ovdin entered a hidden basement and began a potion experiment, revealing that he was an Apothecary with an occult inheritance.
• Aaron advised Lilliat to assign people suitable tasks and use occult methods, including ghosts, to gather intelligence and govern Green Forest City.
• Aaron recognized Viscount Ovdin as Jazz, the organizer of the secret gathering, and Lilliat recalled Jazz’s influence and connections.
• Lilliat asked Aaron about the Sothos Museum, and Aaron said it could remain as it was before fading away.
• Lilliat wiped away her tears when servants called to her, then told them she was fine as the train neared Green Forest City.

Aaron abandoned his attempt to contact Mother Nature after discovering her near madness, then planned to reach Longevity by traveling through the Gate of Multiple Histories. Motula reported that the Age Controllers had rejected Aaron’s proposal and offered the Eighth History, a world nearing destruction, as an alternative path.

• Aaron ended the ritual after a monstrous tree erupted through his villa and concluded that rescuing Mother Nature would be too dangerous.
• Aaron decided to prioritize raising his status and planned to negotiate with the Age Controllers for a vessel to pass through the Gate of Longevity.
• Motula told Aaron that Mother Nature had retreated to the Steel Jungle in terrible condition and that her state had affected the Druid communities.
• Motula informed Aaron that the Age Controllers had vetoed his proposal and explained that Aaron could pass through the Gate of Multiple Histories with his help.
• Aaron asked for a chaotic, shattered history to enter, and Motula identified the Eighth History as a world nearing destruction.