Chapter Summaries

After discovering that an underground passage beneath Winterfort remained open, the city lord and the others weighed the possible danger from the Royal City and celebrated their successful mission. The city lord decided to strengthen security around the passage by expanding patrols and permanently stationing someone there.

• Carter Binda explained that the passage beneath Winterfort had always been open, and Uchiha Madara urged the group to consider the worst-case scenario.
• The city lord and Belaque judged that the passage had caused no trouble so far, and the city lord led everyone back to Winterfort for a three-day celebration.
• Uchiha Madara considered leaving after obtaining Winterfort's Magic Stone, but Belaque pointed out that leaving immediately would be inappropriate.
• At dinner, the city lord asked Belaque for advice about the underground space, but she and Carter Binda said the decision was his responsibility.
• The city lord agreed to expand the patrol area, and Carter Binda recommended permanently stationing someone by the passage.

The city lord, Carter Binda, Belaque, and Uchiha Madara discussed sealing the passage between Winterfort and the royal capital, then celebrated. Belaque examined Xing En’s list of rumored Magic Stone locations and identified Uchiha Madara’s next destination as a distant place east of Red Rock City, beyond a mountain range.

• The city lord decided Carter Binda would seal the passage with ice the following noon, while Uchiha Madara and Belaque urged keeping control of the entrance.
• The city lord called for a celebration, and Belaque asked Uchiha Madara where he planned to travel next.
• Uchiha Madara showed Belaque Xing En’s note listing places rumored to contain Magic Stones, and Belaque offered to plan his route.
• The city lord and Carter Binda teased Uchiha Madara and Belaque about becoming a couple, but both denied that anything had happened between them.
• Belaque determined that Uchiha Madara’s listed destination lay far east of Red Rock City, beyond a mountain range with no further cities marked on the map.

Uchiha Madara agreed to travel east from Red Rock City to a newly discovered place and planned to leave Winterfort the next morning. Belaque decided to go with him, and their conversation with the City Lord turned to the history of rogues.

• Belaque gave Uchiha Madara directions to an unmapped destination east of Red Rock City, and he accepted it as his next stop.
• Uchiha Madara said he would leave Winterfort the next day because people were waiting for him at home, and Carter Binda and the City Lord offered to prepare supplies.
• Belaque announced that she would travel back with Uchiha Madara, explaining she needed to return to the Hunter Association after completing her task.
• Carter Binda teased Belaque about her reputation, and Uchiha Madara questioned why she cared about a thief's reputation.
• The City Lord explained that rogues had once been respectable before some turned to stealing, prompting Belaque to complain that he could have left out that part.

Uchiha Madara and Belaque left Winterfort for Red Rock City on Snowbirds to continue searching for Magic Stones. After they departed, the city lord told Carter Binda that the Hunter Association might be helping Madara because it could not eliminate him, and ordered Carter to seal the forest passage.

• Uchiha Madara reflected that his three Magic Stones had come through luck and help from others, then went to sleep looking forward to returning home.
• Carter Binda and the city lord sent Uchiha Madara and Belaque off with two Snowbirds, which would carry them to Red Rock City in about two days.
• Uchiha Madara and Belaque flew south while the city lord asked Carter Binda what Madara intended to do with the Magic Stones.
• The city lord suggested the Hunter Association wanted Madara to leave because it might be unable to kill him, though Carter Binda doubted that Madara was dangerous.
• The city lord told Carter Binda to seal the forest passage, and Carter complained that he wanted to wait until noon.

The city lord ordered Carter Binda to seal the cave and the surrounding ice sheet after the Magic Stones beneath it were gone. As Uchiha Madara and Belaque flew toward Red Rock City, Belaque agreed to teach him Absolute Perception, while warning that the Hunter Association was watching him and that his journey home could lead to conflict.

• The city lord told Carter Binda to seal the cave entrance and cover the entire ice sheet with magic.
• Uchiha Madara and Belaque flew together, teasing each other about loneliness and why Belaque had joined him.
• Uchiha Madara invited Belaque to travel with him to unknown places, and she offered to teach him Absolute Perception in Red Rock City.
• Belaque warned Uchiha Madara that the Hunter Association was tracking his search for Magic Stones and might consider him a threat.
• Uchiha Madara said he would remove anything that stood in the way of returning home.

Kaguolet was escorted toward No Man’s Land after killing the eldest prince, while his guards planned to help him escape. When two ominous figures approached, Kaguolet realized they had come to kill him.

• Kaguolet told his escort officers he accepted exile as punishment for killing the eldest prince, whom he believed would have endangered the Elzeran Continent.
• The escort officers said they intended to release Kaguolet because they believed the continent needed him.
• Kaguolet insisted he did not regret his actions and would make the same choice again.
• Kaguolet sensed someone approaching, and the escort officers assumed the strangers had come to free him.
• As the escort officers moved to unlock Kaguolet’s chains, he warned them that the approaching figures had come to kill him.

Golden Lion Asheer and Ghost Sword confronted Kaguolet in the Unclaimed Lands to kill him. Kaguolet sent his escort officers away and prepared to face the two legendary fighters alone.

• Asheer and Ghost Sword appeared before Kaguolet, who recognized the Golden Lion and identified Ghost Sword as the heir to the inherited name and sword.
• Asheer ordered the escort officers to leave, but Ghost Sword attacked one of them and Kaguolet blocked the strike with his lightning-element field.
• Kaguolet urged the escort officers to withdraw so he could fight freely, and they agreed to wait nearby.
• Kaguolet snapped his black iron chains and challenged Asheer and Ghost Sword, asking them to spare the escort officers after the fight.

Kaguolet fought Ghost Sword and Asheer, but Xing En arrived in time to stop them and save his life. Ghost Sword and Asheer departed, leaving Kaguolet owing Xing En a favor.

• Ghost Sword and Asheer attacked Kaguolet, who narrowly evaded Ghost Sword’s sword before Asheer’s punch sent him crashing into a boulder.
• Kaguolet rose and faced the two experts again, preparing for their next attack despite his injuries.
• Xing En appeared between them and blocked Ghost Sword’s sword and Asheer’s claw with his curved blades.
• Xing En revealed that someone had asked him four days earlier to save Kaguolet, but he refused to reveal who it was.
• Ghost Sword left after Xing En reminded him of a favor he owed, and Asheer departed soon afterward.
• Kaguolet thanked Xing En, who told him he now owed a huge favor in return.

Xing En rescued Kaguolet and brought him to safety, then met with Ci Enyiwu to discuss favors and the hidden fifth magical beast. Meanwhile, Belaque offered Uchiha Madara two ways to learn Absolute Perception, leaving him to choose a method.

• Xing En told Kaguolet that Ci Enyiwu had arranged shelter for him in Winterfort and led him away from the escorts.
• Asheer reported the failed mission to the city lord, who vowed to catch Xing En.
• Xing En met Ci Enyiwu in an abandoned church and asked where the fifth magical beast was; Ci Enyiwu revealed it was hidden inside.
• Belaque offered to teach Uchiha Madara Absolute Perception and asked whether he preferred a quick method or one that took time.

Uchiha Madara chose a forbidden black-magic scroll to learn Absolute Perception quickly, despite the severe pain it would cause. Belaque placed the scroll over his closed eyes, and Madara waited for the pain to begin.

• Belaque explained that a black-magic scroll could implant knowledge quickly but caused intense pain, and that its use was forbidden across the Elzeran Continent.
• Belaque revealed that she possessed an Absolute Perception scroll she had obtained before black magic was banned.
• Madara insisted on using the scroll so he could save time and return as soon as possible.
• Belaque took out the tiny black scroll, explained its value, and Madara promised not to forget her kindness.
• Belaque placed the opened scroll over Madara's eyes, and Madara closed his eyes and accepted the coming pain.

Uchiha Madara tried to learn Absolute Perception with Belaque’s black scroll, but felt no pain because Belaque had put it on upside down. After she corrected it, the ritual began with intense pain in his eyes.

• Uchiha Madara waited with the scroll over his eyes, but felt no stinging pain as Belaque wondered why the ritual had not started.
• Uchiha Madara discovered Belaque had fallen asleep and woke her to ask what was wrong.
• Belaque insisted the scroll was genuine, then checked it and realized she had placed it upside down.
• Belaque turned the scroll over and put it back on Uchiha Madara’s eyes.
• Uchiha Madara felt a sharp, unbearable pain as the ritual finally began, while looking forward to mastering the ability.

Uchiha Madara mastered Absolute Perception, but discovered his range was less than half a meter and learned that improving it would take time and practice. After reaching Red Rock City with Belaque, he accepted his wallet back and asked what she planned to do next, but she had no definite plans and refused to join him in searching for Magic Stones.

• Uchiha Madara removed the scroll after mastering Absolute Perception and found that it had turned white, but his perception range was less than half a meter.
• Belaque explained that Absolute Perception required long practice and reassured Uchiha Madara that he had made a good start.
• Uchiha Madara and Belaque slept through the night and rode their snowbirds to Red Rock City the next day.
• Belaque returned Uchiha Madara's wallet and admitted she had taken some of the money from it.
• Uchiha Madara asked Belaque what she would do next, and she said she would take things as they came and would not join him in searching for Magic Stones.

Uchiha Madara and Belaque met Xing En, who had arrived with Kaguolet and asked Belaque for help recovering Kaguolet’s weapon from the Royal City’s treasury. The chapter ended with Belaque learning that Kaguolet had killed the eldest prince and was now wanted for regicide.

• Belaque warned Uchiha Madara about the dangers of the unexplored eastern lands, and a man said only about half of the continent and less than a tenth of its oceans had been explored.
• Xing En arrived, greeted Uchiha Madara and Belaque, and introduced Kaguolet, whose appearance had changed.
• Xing En said Ci Enyiwu had sent him to accompany Uchiha Madara east and ask Belaque for help.
• Belaque asked what favor Xing En wanted, and Kaguolet explained that he wanted to retrieve his weapon from the Royal City’s treasury.
• Xing En revealed that Kaguolet had killed the Royal City’s lord’s eldest son, and Kaguolet acknowledged that he had committed regicide.

Belaque agreed to retrieve Kaguolet’s weapon while Xing En and Uchiha Madara searched for the Magic Stone, and Kaguolet planned to flee to Winterfort. The group learned that Ghost Sword’s cursed weapon had left a wound that would need a sacred word spell to heal.

• Belaque praised Kaguolet for killing the eldest prince and offered to retrieve his weapon for free.
• Kaguolet said he would hide in Winterfort, and Xing En and Belaque wondered why Ci Enyiwu was helping him.
• Xing En explained that she had agreed to help Ci Enyiwu in exchange for information, while Belaque prepared to enter the royal city treasury for Kaguolet’s weapon.
• Kaguolet revealed that Asheer and Ghost Sword had attacked him during his exile and that Ghost Sword’s weapon caused his neck scar.
• Belaque explained that Ghost Sword’s cursed wounds required a sacred word spell and said Carter Binda could heal Kaguolet in Winterfort.

Uchiha Madara discussed the mysterious Ghost Sword and questioned why Cien Yiwu had arranged for Xing En to help him collect Magic Stones. His companions considered why the Church and Hunter Association supported him and worried that his progress was being monitored; the chapter ended with Kaguolet clarifying that Cien Yiwu did not answer to the Royal City.

• Belaque explained that Ghost Sword was a secretive figure whose identity changed with each generation, while Xing En described their shared name, weapon, attire, and identifying hand marks.
• Uchiha Madara asked why Cien Yiwu had sent Xing En to help him, and Xing En said he did not know her purpose, though he knew her rise as Light of Hope had been planned.
• Uchiha Madara told Kaguolet that he sought Magic Stones to return to his own world, and Xing En and Belaque noted that both the Church and Hunter Association seemed to be helping him.
• Kaguolet suggested that the organizations supported Madara because removing evil Magic Stones would benefit the continent, while Belaque and Kaguolet warned that his collection might be monitored or taken.
• Belaque named Xilin and Cien Yiwu as possible figures with knowledge of future events, and Kaguolet clarified that only Xilin served the Royal City because Cien Yiwu did not accept its orders.

Xing En discussed Cien Yiwu’s unusual standing with the Church and his wish to investigate her connection to the Church and the Elzeran Continent. After the group ended their meeting, Belaque prepared to seek Kaguolet’s desired weapon while Xing En and Uchiha Madara planned to leave.

• Xing En told Belaque that people in the Church treated Cien Yiwu as a special figure who knew many things but was not ordered around.
• Uchiha Madara warned Xing En that his identity as the Night Elf Queen’s son could give others an excuse to start a war, but Xing En said he avoided leaving evidence of his troublemaking.
• Xing En said he had set aside his investigation into Alustriel and wanted to learn about Cien Yiwu’s relationship with the Church and the continent.
• Uchiha Madara praised Xing En’s search for the continent’s secrets, while Xing En joked that he feared dying before becoming a hero.
• Belaque ended the meeting and told Kaguolet to wait in Red Rock City while she searched for the weapon he wanted.
• Xing En offered to leave at once, but Belaque refused to let him dictate her schedule and said the matter was not urgent.

Uchiha Madara and Xing En left Red Rock City to pursue Madara’s mission, while Madara asked after Xiao Sang and learned Xing En knew nothing of her condition. As they discussed the long journey ahead, Xing En asked whether someone could have two completely opposing personalities.

• Xing En and Belaque told Uchiha Madara that Kaguolet could find safe shelter, and Madara and Xing En set off east from Red Rock City.
• Madara asked Xing En about Xiao Sang’s health, but Xing En teased him about his concern and revealed he knew nothing of her condition.
• Xing En said Xiao Sang’s role as the Night Elves’ future Queen made a relationship with Madara unlikely, and Madara asked whether Xing En would also have to marry within his clan.
• Xing En estimated their journey would take more than forty days on foot, so Madara asked about other transportation.
• Xing En asked Madara whether someone could have two completely opposing personalities.

Uchiha Madara and Xing En continued their journey toward a dangerous destination, discussing a faster route and Xing En’s reasons for exploring Elzeran Continent. They left the inhabited roads behind and continued strolling through a remote wilderness.

• Uchiha Madara guessed that Xing En had met someone who resembled Alustriel but seemed to have a different personality, then teased him about falling in love.
• Xing En explained that Lightning Birds could not travel through the dangerous region, and that Chocobos in a nameless town could carry them onward.
• Uchiha Madara realized he could have controlled a Lightning Bird to save time, and he and Xing En agreed they should share their abilities and ideas sooner.
• Uchiha Madara and Xing En traveled at a leisurely pace until they reached a desolate, uninhabited area.
• Xing En said he had explored the continent to broaden his horizons and enjoy its scenery, while Uchiha Madara urged him to contribute to Elzeran’s future.

Xing En told Uchiha Madara about a primitive race east of their location and the sacred relic he suspected was a Magic Stone. He was astonished to learn that Uchiha Madara had three Magic Stones, then discussed faith and his own poor people skills.

• Xing En said he admired Kaguolet but preferred traveling and doing what he liked over making great contributions to the Elzeran Continent.
• Xing En described a primitive race east of their location and explained that a totem had led him to suspect its sacred relic was a Magic Stone.
• Uchiha Madara revealed that he had three Magic Stones, leaving Xing En utterly astonished.
• Xing En said his people worshiped the Moon Goddess, while Uchiha Madara cautioned him against insulting other people's faith.
• Xing En lamented that he was unsuited to dealing with people, and Uchiha Madara said he enjoyed traveling alongside him.

Xing En and Uchiha Madara discussed war, peace, and whether Madara’s plan to give the world an endless dream had a moral limit. When giant spiders emerged from the rocks, Xing En prepared to clear the road while the two realized they had each assumed the other was keeping their senses active.

• Xing En called Uchiha Madara a hero, while Madara described himself as a public enemy and explained his wish to stop the world’s suffering through a dream of happiness.
• Xing En said people’s lives and experiences should be accepted rather than forcibly changed, and Madara acknowledged his unusual outlook.
• Several large spiders crawled from beneath the barren rocks and startled Xing En.
• Xing En drew his curved blades and offered to clear the road ahead while Madara rested.
• Xing En and Uchiha Madara questioned why neither had activated their senses, each having assumed the other was monitoring for danger.