Chapter Summaries

Uchiha Madara defied Gilwort’s demand to leave, blocked his second sword attack, and revealed enough strength to make Gilwort question whether he was the Dark Ranger Xing En. When Gilwort ordered archers to attack, Uchiha Madara formed hand seals and summoned blazing fireballs above the crowd.

• Gilwort formed an energy blade from his broken sword and launched a sword shadow at Uchiha Madara, who caught and shattered it.
• Gilwort asked whether Uchiha Madara was the Dark Ranger Xing En, and Uchiha Madara claimed he was a Night Elf who transformed at night.
• Uchiha Madara explained that he had intervened to repay a favor, while Gilwort warned him about facing an army.
• Gilwort ordered the archers to aim at Uchiha Madara, and Nicovia challenged Gilwort’s claim to act out of duty.
• Uchiha Madara formed hand seals and summoned countless bright fireballs above the crowd, prompting people to realize the opposing side had a mage.

Uchiha Madara forced Gilwort’s forces to abandon their attempt to take Nicovia by demonstrating his overwhelming power. He left them with a warning against starting a war, then watched Nicovia lead her people back to the city.

• Uchiha Madara used the threat of a mage’s wide-area attack to intimidate Gilwort’s troops without harming them.
• Gilwort warned Uchiha Madara that making enemies would bring trouble, but Uchiha Madara dismissed him and said he had caused plenty of trouble across the Elzeran Continent.
• Uchiha Madara told Nicovia they would return, and she tore off her wedding dress and ordered her warriors back to the city.
• Gilwort warned Nicovia that Uchiha Madara would not protect her forever, while Uchiha Madara urged Gilwort to avoid war and proposed a permanent solution.
• Uchiha Madara summoned the Heavenly God and sliced the peak off Blackstone Mountain, warning that any nation that sought war would meet the same fate.
• Nicovia’s group departed for the city as Gilwort stood stunned.

After returning safely, Nicovia took Uchiha Madara to a tavern, where they shared a meal and discussed his true identity. Nicovia remained certain he was neither a Night Elf nor the Dark Ranger Xing En, while Uchiha Madara argued that he had saved her life.

• Nicovia sent the soldiers back to their posts and took Uchiha Madara to a tavern for a quiet meal.
• The tavern owner offered Nicovia a jar of wine he had saved for his daughter's wedding, but Uchiha Madara and Nicovia urged him to keep it.
• Nicovia thanked Uchiha Madara and questioned whether he was really a Night Elf or the Dark Ranger Xing En.
• Nicovia said Uchiha Madara's lack of physical changes under the moon and his apparent age proved he was not a Night Elf.
• Nicovia revealed she had planned to use a dagger against the king, and Uchiha Madara insisted she should thank him for saving her life.

Nicovia and Uchiha Madara discussed his failed search for the source of the animals’ black coloring, then she offered him a mount for his next journey. Nicovia suggested a Desert Leopard that he could disguise as the black panther associated with the identity he had claimed.

• Nicovia blamed the old man for bringing her and Uchiha Madara together, while Uchiha Madara argued that the discussion should be about how he had saved her country.
• Uchiha Madara told Nicovia that he had found the place where animals turned black, but the animals were only colored on the outside and did not match what he sought.
• Nicovia accepted Uchiha Madara’s thanks and said they were even, then agreed to help him find transportation for his next destination.
• Nicovia offered Uchiha Madara a Desert Leopard and explained that it could be disguised as Moonlight, the black panther linked to the Night Elves and his claimed identity as Xing En.
• Uchiha Madara insisted that he had only pretended to be Xing En once, while Nicovia privately considered him skilled at deceiving people.

Uchiha Madara chose Sun City as his next destination after hearing it was nearby, but Nicovia warned him that it was a strange place rumored to have only men. He remained skeptical of the legend, though Nicovia eventually agreed that he could use her Desert Leopard and encouraged him to investigate for himself.

• Uchiha Madara said he planned to travel to Sun City, and Nicovia reacted with surprise and warned him that it was far away and a bad place for outsiders.
• Nicovia told Uchiha Madara that legends claimed Sun City had no women, and he dismissed the story as impossible.
• Nicovia said the people of Sun City had other ways to have children, while Uchiha Madara argued that the city’s continued existence disproved the legend.
• Nicovia threatened to withhold her Desert Leopard after Uchiha Madara challenged her account, but he relented and said he believed the story involved a special method.
• Nicovia said the legend was true but based on rumors, and Uchiha Madara said he would only care about Sun City if it held something he needed.

Uchiha Madara finished a meal with Nicovia and planned to leave immediately, while Nicovia went to report what had happened and promised to bring him transportation. He waited at the restaurant until night, but Nicovia never returned, and the owner suggested she had passed out from drinking.

• Uchiha Madara told Nicovia he would leave as soon as he finished eating because he had little time.
• Nicovia misunderstood his urgency as fear of growing old and dying, then left to report to the Royal City and find him transportation.
• Uchiha Madara watched Nicovia stagger away and reflected that he had intervened to prevent conflict between two countries, despite worrying about changing people's fates.
• Uchiha Madara ate alone and waited through the day and into the night for Nicovia to return with the Desert Leopard.
• The restaurant owner told Uchiha Madara that Nicovia might already be asleep after drinking, and Uchiha Madara insisted they had an agreement.

Uchiha Madara waited for Nicovia, but the tavern owner warned that she had likely forgotten their appointment after drinking and would not return that night. Since transportation was unavailable until morning, Uchiha Madara gave up waiting and asked the owner for a room.

• Uchiha Madara asked the tavern owner about Sun City, and the owner described conflicting rumors about the secluded country.
• Uchiha Madara questioned how Nicovia could forget their appointment, but the owner said she might forget the matter after drinking.
• The owner explained that businesses were closed and Uchiha Madara could not find transportation until morning.
• Uchiha Madara stopped waiting for Nicovia and asked the owner to arrange a room for him.

Uchiha Madara rested overnight while waiting for transportation to Sun City, then Nicovia arrived with supplies and arranged transport. She invited him to stay for wine, but Madara insisted on leaving to pursue his mission.

• The owner promised to find Uchiha Madara transportation to Sun City and showed him to a room.
• Uchiha Madara slept through the night and woke when someone knocked at his door.
• Nicovia arrived with transportation for Madara and explained that she had been busy after their earlier meeting, though she had actually been sleeping off a hangover.
• Nicovia provided Madara with dry rations and water and said he could leave whenever he was ready.
• Madara declined Nicovia's invitation to drink wine and insisted that he needed to continue to Sun City for his mission.

Uchiha Madara told Nicovia he was searching for Magic Stones, and she suggested asking the lords of major cities for information. He rejected her proposal to threaten them and planned to keep searching discreetly, while Nicovia warned him that Magic Stones were dangerous.

• Nicovia asked Uchiha Madara what he had been searching for, and he revealed he wanted to find Magic Stones.
• Nicovia suggested that the lords of major cities might know where Magic Stones could be found.
• Nicovia advised Uchiha Madara to force city lords to reveal what they knew, but he refused to threaten them because he wanted to avoid drawing attention.
• Uchiha Madara decided to search the locations on his map instead and thanked Nicovia before leaving.
• Nicovia warned Uchiha Madara not to touch Magic Stones unless he had a necessary reason.

Uchiha Madara said goodbye to Nicovia and continued his search for Magic Stones, while Nicovia recognized that he was likely from beyond the Elzeran Continent. He left in good spirits, riding the Desert Leopard toward his next destination.

• Uchiha Madara told Nicovia he could not abandon his mission to collect Magic Stones because he needed them to return home.
• Nicovia inferred from Uchiha Madara's words and unfamiliar techniques that he was not from the Elzeran Continent.
• Nicovia urged Uchiha Madara to keep his principles and remain calm despite the long search and pressure of time, and he said he understood the continent's rules.
• Uchiha Madara wished Nicovia farewell, mounted the Desert Leopard, and set off for his next destination without finding a Magic Stone.
• Uchiha Madara reflected on the kindness of the people he had met and, after riding for a long time, grew sore from the journey.

After several days of traveling with the Desert Leopard, Uchiha Madara continued toward his destination. In Red Rock City, Belaque told Kaguolet that he had revealed Kaguolet’s story to one of the Fuma Clan knights and announced that they would travel together to Winterfort.

• Uchiha Madara rested and rode on the Desert Leopard as they traveled for several days.
• Belaque told Kaguolet that he had encountered one of the Fuma Clan knights and escaped after nearly being attacked.
• Belaque said he had told the knight Kaguolet’s story and wanted the other paladins to learn the truth and face the coming upheaval.
• Kaguolet accepted that the matter had already happened and said they should let events develop naturally.
• Belaque teased Kaguolet about Carter Binda choosing between him and Xing En, then said he would accompany Kaguolet to Winterfort.

Belaque agreed to escort Kaguolet to Winterfort on Ci Enyiwu’s commission, while Uchiha Madara continued toward Sun City with the Desert Leopard. In City of No Appeal, Madara met a veiled woman who admired the leopard and stroked its head.

• Belaque told Kaguolet that Ci Enyiwu had commissioned him to escort him to Winterfort and explained that he intended to see the journey through.
• Kaguolet accepted Belaque’s company, and the two set off for Winterfort.
• Uchiha Madara reached City of No Appeal and decided to rest there with the Desert Leopard before continuing toward Sun City.
• A veiled woman complimented the Desert Leopard, asked its name, and stroked its head while Madara watched.

Uchiha Madara met a mysterious woman who had waited two days to speak with him and revealed that they had crossed paths in the Night Elves’ underground world. Their conversation left him wondering how the Magic Stone affected her and why she had gone there to steal it.

• A woman recognized Uchiha Madara and said she had waited two days to meet him.
• The woman said someone had asked her to help Uchiha Madara, and he suspected Ci Enyiwu had sent her.
• At a tavern, the woman revealed that she had seen Uchiha Madara in the Night Elves’ underground world.
• Uchiha Madara asked whether the Magic Stone had affected her and why she had gone to steal it.
• The woman said she had not come to answer his questions.

Uchiha Madara questioned the woman who had come to help him and learned that Ci Enyiwu had sent her. She revealed that her name was Alustriel, the future queen of the Elves, and the chapter ended with the tavern waiter stunned by her unveiled beauty.

• The woman confirmed to Uchiha Madara that Ci Enyiwu had sent her to help him.
• Uchiha Madara explained that he cared about events on the Elzeran Continent because they had become connected to his plans.
• Uchiha Madara asked the woman who she was, and she identified herself as Alustriel.
• Alustriel raised her voice at Uchiha Madara, drawing the tavern patrons' attention, then lifted her veil to eat.
• The tavern waiter saw Alustriel's face and stood frozen, calling her beautiful.

Uchiha Madara questioned Alustriel’s motives for helping him, given that they had both sought the Magic Stone in the Night Elf underground world. Alustriel promised she would not compete for his Magic Stone this time, but kept the reason for her earlier appearance secret as they settled down to eat.

• A young waiter stared at Alustriel, and Uchiha Madara joked that she should get a free dish for being beautiful.
• Uchiha Madara wondered why Alustriel was helping him and remembered that she had fought Xing En for the Magic Stone before.
• Uchiha Madara said their shared goal made them opponents, and Alustriel agreed that their positions were opposed.
• When Uchiha Madara prepared to leave, Alustriel said their different goals made traveling together suitable.
• Alustriel told Uchiha Madara she had been entrusted to help him and would not make a move on his Magic Stone, but refused to explain her earlier visit to the Night Elf underground world.
• Uchiha Madara stopped questioning Alustriel and asked what she wanted to eat.

Uchiha Madara and Alustriel discussed the Magic Stone and confirmed that she had been the person Xing En encountered in the underground world. At a tavern, Alustriel fended off Kane Wile by giving him Xing En’s name, leaving Uchiha Madara amused by how often people used it.

• Alustriel told Uchiha Madara she had waited because she did not know where Sun City kept its Magic Stone.
• Uchiha Madara reasoned that the Magic Stone was likely stored in a protected place and confirmed Alustriel was the person Xing En had met underground.
• As they ate, Kane Wile approached Alustriel and praised her beauty while asking for her name.
• Alustriel told Kane Wile her name was Xing En, and Uchiha Madara realized that people using Xing En’s name could be behind his many troubles.

Kane Wile tried to persuade Alustriel and Uchiha Madara to stay in the city, claiming that nobody was allowed to leave. Alustriel called Uchiha Madara her husband to end Kane Wile’s advances, but Kane Wile shifted his suspicion and attention to Madara.

• Kane Wile questioned Alustriel about her visit and pressed her to stay in the city for a few days.
• Kane Wile said a recent incident meant nobody could leave, but Alustriel proposed returning the way they had come.
• Uchiha Madara pretended to agree to stay, so Alustriel called him her husband and reminded him they had an important task.
• Kane Wile was shocked by their claimed relationship and criticized Uchiha Madara as unworthy of Alustriel.
• Kane Wile accused Uchiha Madara of having a secret motive and ordered him to come along for questioning.

Kane Wile tried to have Uchiha Madara detained for inspection, but Madara claimed to be a Grand Mage from Eternal Sun Royal City and forced Kane Wile to reconsider. Kane Wile began questioning Madara’s identity while the crowd waited for his response.

• Kane Wile ordered his guards to take Uchiha Madara for interrogation after Alustriel challenged Madara to submit to an inspection.
• Uchiha Madara warned the guards that harming him could bring the destruction of their country, claiming he was a Grand Mage of Eternal Sun Royal City.
• The guards stopped and asked Kane Wile what to do, while the crowd reacted with surprise to Madara’s claim.
• Alustriel privately praised Madara’s cleverness and warned him that his bold claim could be difficult to walk back.
• Kane Wile asked Uchiha Madara whether he was a Grand Mage from the Imperial City and why he had come to their small city.

Uchiha Madara and Alustriel were escorted into the Royal City so Kane Wile could present them to the City Lord, despite Madara’s effort to keep their arrival secret. As they waited for an audience, Madara planned to conceal his identity while Alustriel worried about the delay and the consequences of his presence in Elzeran Continent.

• Uchiha Madara refused to tell Kane Wile the secret behind their mission and tried to avoid meeting the City Lord.
• Kane Wile insisted that courtesy required him to bring the visitors before the City Lord, and Uchiha Madara agreed to go.
• Uchiha Madara and Alustriel followed Kane Wile into the Royal City, where Alustriel veiled her face before they reached the City Lord’s door.
• Kane Wile went inside to request an audience while Uchiha Madara and Alustriel waited outside.
• Uchiha Madara told Alustriel he would lie to keep his identity hidden, while Alustriel worried about the delay and his impact on Elzeran Continent.

Uchiha Madara and Alustriel discussed why the Church's Light of Hope had offered him help before Kane Wile admitted them to the palace. There, Alustriel guided Madara through the proper greeting for the city lord.

• Alustriel questioned Uchiha Madara about his connection to Light of Hope, and Madara said they had never met.
• Alustriel warned Madara not to assume the Church was helping him without expecting something in return, and Madara said they likely had their own interests.
• While they waited outside the palace, Madara and Alustriel discussed how those in power treated people beneath them and how their worlds differed.
• Kane Wile told Madara and Alustriel that the city lord welcomed them and allowed them to enter the palace.
• Alustriel showed Madara how to greet the city lord, and Madara copied her salute.