Chapter Summaries

Chapter Summary: “Majestic Castle, Hidden Legendary”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Hill explores Central City’s enormous outer castle before it is fully transformed into a fortress of war. The five-hundred-meter-tall structure contains massive walls, trap formations, portcullises, Mage Towers, barracks, and defensive systems designed to imprison or repel invading forces.
• The castle is arranged as seven Advanced Mage Towers connected by passages, with a central Legendary Mage Tower intended to command them. Its underground retreats, protective canopy, and powerful materials make it capable of withstanding major attacks.
• Central City’s interior includes a Floating Elevator, a Space-Time Faith branch temple, the city lord’s manor, an Undead auction house and quest hall, and an adventurers’ inn for locals. Residential and commercial districts remain unfinished.
• Hill feels the fortress is powerful but bleak and unattractive, so he helps Falan improve it. He creates more than a dozen parks using his Nature powers, while Falan plants flower beds. Baby’s breath flowers soften the castle’s metallic, militaristic appearance.
• After the landscaping is complete, William uses divine power to finish the Space-Time Temple. The existing teleportation array outside the castle will remain because some visitors may not want to appear directly inside the fortress.
• Hill and Falan identify the Legendary Mage stationed at the castle as Greer Holmes, a powerful relative and longtime protector of the Salar Royal Family.
• Falan explains that Holmes has left Obastian because the Metal Law mine no longer requires his protection. William has supplied him with abundant magical crystals and has no intention of harming peaceful members of the royal family.
• Falan prepares to return, but Hill chooses to remain near Central City. He wants to observe future developments and stay close enough to protect Alice if necessary. He plans to hide among the clouds using an Illusion Formation.

Character Developments

• Hill: Demonstrates his sensitivity to powerful Laws and his instinctive connection to nature. Rather than accepting the castle’s harsh military design, he takes responsibility for beautifying it. His decision to remain behind also shows his cautiousness, curiosity, and concern for Alice’s safety.
• Falan: Acts as Hill’s collaborator and provides important political and historical information. He helps landscape the castle, but remains wary of Central City and advises Hill to avoid living inside it.
• William: Appears as a meticulous and pragmatic ruler. His castle design prioritizes defense, while his decision to build parks and leave space for landscaping reveals a more considerate side. He also strengthens his relationship with Holmes by supplying him with resources and reassuring him about the Salar Royal Family.
• Greer Holmes: Is revealed as the true foundation of the Salar Royal Family. Though reclusive and exceptionally powerful, he is pragmatic and protective of his family’s bloodline. His willingness to guard Central City indicates growing trust in William and the Space-Time Pantheon.
• The Salar Royal Family: Their past political weakness and foolish alliances are emphasized. Their survival now depends less on political power and more on Holmes’s protection and William’s tolerance.

Significant Themes

• War versus beauty: The castle embodies militarism and oppression, while Hill’s parks and flowers restore warmth, balance, and humanity.
• Power and trust: William entrusts Central City to Holmes because of their long-standing ties and Holmes’s reliability. Trust must be earned through loyalty and shared history.
• Political pragmatism: Holmes chooses the God of Space-Time over the God of Nobles because William’s rule allows greater freedom, especially for Mages.
• Nature within civilization: Hill’s landscaping represents the attempt to preserve natural beauty inside an increasingly mechanized and fortress-like society.
• Hidden foundations of power: Although the Legendary Knights and royal figures are more visible, Holmes is the true protector behind Salar’s stability.
• Uncertain succession and the future: The discussion of William’s lack of descendants and the absence of a clear heir highlights the instability surrounding the kingdom’s long-term future.

Character Interactions

• Hill and Falan work together to transform Central City’s harsh interior, combining Hill’s Natural Blessing with Falan’s practical gardening.
• Hill repeatedly questions Falan about the castle’s design, the identity of its Legendary guardian, and Holmes’s motives.
• Falan explains Holmes’s history, his connection to the Salar Royal Family, and why he now trusts William enough to leave Obastian.
• Falan invites Hill to return with him, but Hill declines because he wants to remain near Central City and Alice.
• Their final exchange shows mutual concern: Falan advises Hill to keep away from the castle, while Hill promises to conceal himself and intervene only when necessary.

Chapter Summary

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• Falan and Hill inspect the castle and the surrounding Forest Formation. Falan is pleased because the situation offers valuable opportunities to advance his alchemy.
• They discuss the Dwarves, the Abyss, and the Evil God. Hill remains cautious, believing that anything connected to the Abyss is dangerous, while Falan, like many Legendary Mages, is largely unconcerned with divine alignments.
• William’s King’s Ship arrives at the castle while the other ships remain in place. Falan explains that the ships will likely be used to separate the freed slaves from the civilians of the Triangle Zone.
• Hill and Falan recognize that the former slaves will continue to hate the civilians, viewing them collectively as accomplices to their suffering. William therefore intends to relocate the civilians rather than leave the two groups together.
• Falan gives Hill two powerful Magic Books and orders him to study them, record his thoughts, and return later to exchange them for more.
• Falan prepares to leave through the Teleportation Array. He tells Adrian to remain at the castle while the Mage Association sends carefully selected personnel and establishes Adventurer Inns.
• Hill decides to stay nearby in case Demons appear, but he will avoid living in the castle. He plans to hide in the clouds and remain connected through Lily and the Forest Formation.
• Adrian learns more about William’s ability to hear sounds transmitted through the air. This explains why attempts to recruit or manipulate people through communication devices may be either foolish or malicious.
• The chapter ends with Adrian joking about the Space-Time Church and Hill reacting irritably to the suggestion that he might casually build churches.

2. Character Developments

• Hill: His perspective continues to mature. He increasingly understands why Legendary Mages become arrogant and detached from ordinary people, yet he consciously resists losing his interest in human emotions and everyday life. He also shows caution regarding privacy and political manipulation.
• Falan: He remains a detached, truth-seeking Legendary Mage focused on alchemy and magical research. Despite his indifference to most worldly affairs, he is protective of Hill and Adrian, gives practical advice, and continues Hill’s education through advanced magical texts.
• Adrian: He is becoming more wary of political schemes and recruitment attempts. His humorous, outspoken personality remains intact, though he is clearly irritated by people repeatedly trying to involve him in outside affairs.
• William: Though absent for most of the chapter, his policies are shown to be pragmatic and humane. He plans to separate hostile groups while preserving the basic education and future opportunities of both the civilians and the freed slaves.
• The former slaves and Triangle Zone civilians: Their conflict is presented as deeply rooted in trauma. The slaves’ hatred is expected to endure, even when directed toward civilians who may not have personally harmed them.

3. Significant Themes

• The alienation of powerful beings: Hill reflects on how Legendary Mages gradually lose interest in ordinary people as fewer individuals can affect them emotionally.
• Humanity versus pure pursuit of power: Hill worries that becoming detached from human joys and sorrows would make Mages little different from Gods.
• Trauma and collective guilt: The former slaves’ suffering has shaped their worldview, making them treat the entire civilian population as complicit. Childhood trauma is emphasized as something that fades but never truly disappears.
• Power, privacy, and surveillance: William’s ability to hear sounds carried through the air creates tension around communication and personal privacy. People must be careful when using magical devices or attempting secret negotiations.
• Education and responsibility: Falan assigns Hill difficult magical studies, while William continues to prioritize education for oppressed people despite their anger and trauma.
• Suspicion toward divine power: Hill and Falan’s differing attitudes toward the Evil God and the Space-Time Church reinforce the tension between religious belief, political use of gods, and magical skepticism.

4. Character Interactions

• Hill and Falan discuss the Forest Formation, the Dwarves, Evil Gods, and the emotional detachment of Legendary Mages, revealing their differing but affectionate outlooks.
• Falan gives Hill advanced Magic Books as homework, creating a humorous contrast between Hill’s immense power and his reluctance to study.
• Falan advises Adrian to stay at the castle and assures him that the Mage Association will not send troublesome people.
• Adrian and Hill discuss Lily’s transformation and her ability to connect Hill with his valley, highlighting Hill’s growing magical network.
• Adrian and Hill react uneasily to the King’s hidden ability to overhear air-transmitted sounds, while Falan bluntly warns that anyone trying to recruit them through such channels is either foolish or malicious.
• Adrian jokes about churches and Hill’s possible religious associations, ending the chapter on a light, teasing exchange.

Chapter Summary: “Inherited in One Line, Rotten Wood Cannot Be Carved”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Hill says goodbye to Adrian after being mocked as a Sorcerer unwanted by the Gods. Although Adrian wants to continue talking, Hill refuses to become an excuse for Adrian to avoid his tedious repair work.
• Hill returns to the Cloud House, hides it within a moving white cloud, and activates its camouflage.
• At the city lord’s manor, William discusses Hill’s departure and Master Falan’s behavior with Holmes, a powerful Legendary Mage and long-time guardian of Salar.
• Holmes criticizes Draculus and the Mage Association for knowing about the world’s problems—particularly the Gods’ corruption and the growing Undead threat—yet remaining largely uninvolved.
• William explains that the Mage Association cannot freely reveal the deeper truth of the world because even the Gods are constrained by the World Will’s laws.
• Holmes agrees to remain in his Mage Tower and help protect the city despite his irritation at the coming presence of Undead, Mages, Sorcerers, and the Noble Church.
• The two discuss the choice of a new city lord. Holmes warns William not to appoint someone from the Spencer Family, fearing it would suggest that William supports their claim to the throne.
• Their conversation turns to Salar’s history, including Holmes’s deceased cousin, the founding king, and the foolish royal descendants whose political decisions repeatedly endangered the kingdom.
• William reveals that he originally intended to let Edward and Charles destroy each other as revenge for their schemes. However, their alliance with the Noble Church forced him to intervene and claim the throne himself.
• Holmes concludes that Salar has been fortunate: William’s return may have prevented the nation from falling under the Noble Church’s control.

Character Developments

• Hill remains independent and self-aware. Offended by Adrian’s mockery, he refuses to indulge Adrian’s desire to procrastinate and quickly retreats into concealment.
• William demonstrates political maturity and restraint. He understands the hidden reasons behind the Mage Association’s behavior and carefully manages Holmes’s hostility toward Draculus and the Noble Church.
• Holmes is revealed as fiercely protective of Salar but deeply disillusioned with its royal family. Though he has guarded the country for a thousand years, he no longer wishes to sacrifice himself for rulers he considers foolish.
• Holmes also shows a softer, more nostalgic side when recalling his cousin, whose generosity enabled him to become a Legendary Mage.
• William’s feelings toward his family are clarified: he values loyalty and personal character over bloodlines, surnames, or claims of inheritance.

Significant Themes

• Inheritance versus merit: The chapter questions whether political legitimacy should come from family blood, marriage alliances, or personal ability and loyalty.
• The burden of protecting a nation: Holmes’s exhaustion reflects the cost of defending people who repeatedly make disastrous choices.
• Political manipulation and independence: The Noble Church’s attempts to control Salar show how marriage alliances and religious influence can undermine national sovereignty.
• Hidden truths and limited knowledge: The Mage Association’s passivity is connected to secrets imposed by the World Will, emphasizing that knowing the truth does not always mean one is free to act.
• Loyalty based on character: William and Holmes both value genuine personal bonds over inherited status, family names, or institutional affiliation.
• Fate and intervention: Salar narrowly avoids destruction because William chooses to intervene, suggesting that the nation’s survival depends on both fortune and capable leadership.

Character Interactions

• Hill and Adrian: Their brief farewell highlights Hill’s determination and Adrian’s reluctance to return to unpleasant work.
• William and Holmes: Their extended discussion reveals mutual respect, though they differ in temperament. William is diplomatic and pragmatic, while Holmes is blunt, cynical, and emotionally scarred by Salar’s history.
• Holmes and the royal family: Holmes feels betrayed by the foolishness of later rulers, especially Edward, whose actions nearly surrendered Salar’s independence.
• William and the Spencer Family: William insists that his support is not based on the Spencer surname. He will cooperate with them when useful but refuses to treat their bloodline as automatically deserving of power.
• William and his ancestors: William defends Salar’s founding king, arguing that spending resources on people one values is not foolish if it serves a personal purpose or genuine bond.

Chapter Summary: Patient Persuasion, Hearts Aflutter

Key Plot Points and Events

• William and Holmes discuss who should govern the newly constructed frontline city during the war against the Dwarves.
• Holmes refuses to continue caring for the Salar Royal Family, whose previous incompetence contributed to their current situation.
• William proposes appointing Adrian as city lord, with Royal Duke Belt serving as his assistant. Adrian understands the city’s magical arrays, has noble status, and maintains good relationships with the Undead.
• William has declared that he will remain in the world for a long time—at least until the Dwarves are defeated—which makes the Salar Royal Family more obedient. Their hopes of eventually reclaiming the throne now depend on surviving and properly raising capable descendants.
• Holmes requests that William modify Obastian’s Mage Tower so that unwanted visitors cannot reach him. William agrees.
• William reflects on the difficulty of finding someone suitable to govern the city. Naven Spencer is trustworthy, but William’s favoritism toward him has fueled rumors that the Spencer Family might inherit the throne.
• Other officials might be competent but lack the authority to control powerful nobles. Adrian, however, has noble standing, strong backing from Legendary Mages, experience with the Undead, and a good reputation among them.
• William summons Adrian and attempts to persuade him to accept the position.
• Adrian initially refuses, preferring his comfortable life at Keslote’s Mage Tower and the Mage Academy.
• William appeals to Adrian’s ambition, pointing out that Hill became Legendary partly through his contributions to the world and suggesting that Adrian could gain similar recognition and blessings.
• Adrian remains wary, but William offers a significant incentive: after five years of service, Adrian may freely choose promising Salar Mage apprentices as students.
• Adrian becomes genuinely tempted, especially because he favors talented commoner apprentices who are bound to serve the royal family.

Character Developments

• William shows political pragmatism and careful planning. He is willing to use members of the Salar Royal Family if they prove useful, but he does not trust them with important authority. He also reveals anxiety about finding someone capable of managing both the nobles and the Undead.
• Holmes remains detached and blunt, refusing unnecessary responsibility. However, he gives practical advice and recognizes that Adrian is the best candidate for the city’s administration.
• Adrian is portrayed as intelligent, cautious, and compassionate toward talented commoners. Though reluctant to face the dangers of the Undead and frontline politics, he is ambitious enough to consider the opportunity if it helps him develop as a Mage and choose promising students.
• Naven Spencer continues to be William’s most trusted relative, but William worries that relying too heavily on him will create political complications for the Spencer Family.
• Belt is distinguished from the rest of the Salar Royal Family as both intelligent and emotionally perceptive, making him suitable as an assistant despite his family’s poor reputation.
• Hill serves as an example of how service to the world can lead to Legendary advancement and divine or worldly blessings.

Significant Themes

• Pragmatism over sentiment: William judges people by their usefulness rather than their family background or past status.
• Responsibility and political legitimacy: The Salar Royal Family’s future depends on proving its competence rather than assuming inherited authority.
• Merit versus privilege: Adrian’s preference for commoner apprentices contrasts with the usual assumption that noble-born students are more desirable.
• Power and sacrifice: Important achievements require accepting danger and responsibility, while comfort and safety may limit personal growth.
• Manipulation and persuasion: William carefully targets Adrian’s insecurities and ambitions, using both flattery and practical rewards to convince him.
• Long-term consequences: William’s decision to remain for centuries changes the political calculations of the royal families and forces them to think beyond immediate succession.

Character Interactions

• William and Holmes: Their conversation demonstrates mutual trust and practical cooperation. Holmes challenges William’s plans, while William accommodates his desire for privacy.
• William and the Salar Royal Family: William maintains control through conditional trust, allowing useful individuals like Belt to serve while keeping the wider family away from major authority.
• William and Naven: William values Naven deeply but recognizes that his favoritism has created political pressure and may endanger him.
• William and Adrian: Their interaction becomes a psychological negotiation. Adrian immediately senses that William’s friendliness conceals an ulterior motive, while William steadily applies pressure by invoking Adrian’s magical ambitions, contributions, and desire to mentor talented apprentices.
• Adrian and Hill: Though Hill does not appear directly, his success and advice strongly influence Adrian’s perspective on service, recognition, and advancement.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Adrian discusses why Alchemy Grandmasters choose students primarily based on aptitude, temperament, and genuine love of alchemy rather than noble status.
• He explains that noble children often treat alchemy merely as a tool, while commoners may be more dedicated. Taking the wrong student can also expose an alchemist to moral and karmic consequences if that student later commits evil.
• William offers Adrian a deal: become the temporary Lord of Central City for five years, supervise the city’s officials, and prevent powerful nobles from provoking the Undead.
• Adrian hesitates because of the responsibility, but William offers a substantial reward, including Advanced Spatial Crystals. The crystals appeal to Adrian because they would let him pursue experimental projects purely for enjoyment.
• William explains why Naven Spencer cannot take the position: despite his abilities, his family’s internal conflicts make him politically unsafe. Adrian agrees that Naven is unfortunately disadvantaged by his relatives.
• Adrian finally accepts the position after reviewing the contract. However, he discovers that the “high” salary is reduced by the extensive obligation to repair the city’s magic arrays.
• William gives him an additional ring of resources, prompting Adrian to sign the agreement immediately.

Character Developments

• Adrian is shown as cautious, principled, and highly selective about apprentices. He values aptitude and devotion to alchemy, but also worries about loyalty, morality, and the karmic burden of accepting a student. His weakness for interesting magical experiments and Spatial Crystals ultimately influences his decision.
• William demonstrates political pragmatism and persuasive skill. He understands Adrian’s priorities and uses both practical reasoning and material incentives to secure his cooperation. He also shows concern for ordinary officials and civilians who might suffer if nobles provoke the Undead.
• Naven Spencer is portrayed as capable but politically constrained by the foolishness of his family. William plans to keep him close and assign him responsibility for Undead-related matters.
• Falan is revealed as a strict but caring mentor figure. His concern for Adrian’s projects reflects a fatherly affection that Adrian appreciates, even if he finds the scrutiny inconvenient.

Significant Themes

• Merit versus social status: Aptitude, character, and dedication matter more in alchemy than noble birth.
• Responsibility and consequences: In a world governed by an active World Will, teachers may suffer for the actions of their students, making mentorship a serious moral risk.
• Loyalty and trust: Adrian wants students who will remain loyal to his Mage Tower, while William wants reliable officials who will not be manipulated by noble interests.
• Political pragmatism: William is willing to overlook family bloodlines and noble prestige when they threaten stability.
• Freedom versus obligation: Adrian desires the freedom to pursue magical experiments and eventually travel, but accepting the position requires him to shoulder administrative and magical-maintenance duties.
• The dangers of meddling with divine affairs: The discussion of the Temple of Knowledge and the Silver Moon Goddess emphasizes that Mages should be cautious about interfering in the affairs of Gods.

Character Interactions

• Adrian and William negotiate throughout the chapter, with William steadily addressing Adrian’s concerns and increasing the reward until Adrian accepts.
• Adrian explains alchemical mentorship to William, who recognizes that students need not only talent but also patience, reverence, and emotional stability.
• Adrian recounts how Falan accepted him despite other Mage Towers rejecting him because of his family’s connection to the Temple of Knowledge.
• William and Adrian discuss the Spencer family’s political problems, agreeing that Naven is reliable but cannot be placed in a position where his relatives might cause complications.
• The chapter ends humorously with Adrian silently criticizing William’s misleading salary offer, then signing immediately after receiving additional compensation.

Chapter Summary: “As Long as It Exists, It Has Value”

Key Plot Points and Events

• William moves into the renovated City Lord’s Manor, a fortified pentagonal castle decorated by Falan in the shape of a sunflower. Although William finds it comfortable and appreciates its defensive design, Adrian dislikes the fortress’s appearance and refuses to live there.
• Adrian instead places his Legendary-grade Mage Tower in the manor’s central courtyard. William realizes that Adrian’s services as City Lord must have required an exceptionally high payment.
• William appoints Naven to remain at his side and manage affairs involving the Undead. He makes clear that Naven should distance himself from the Spencer Family, whose poor decisions and internal favoritism have caused them to lose William’s special support.
• Naven accepts the decision, recognizing that the Spencer Family had benefited greatly from William but failed to value the opportunity. His own success came from personally serving William, while relatives who stayed behind underestimated him.
• Adrian travels to the Forest Formation to contact Hill through a white bell-shaped flower connected to Hill’s Legendary Lily branch. Hill returns to camp aboard his Cloud Ship to meet him.
• Adrian reveals that he has agreed to serve as City Lord for five years. Hill immediately realizes that William must have offered him substantial compensation, likely including the materials or resources necessary to build a powerful Mage Tower.
• Adrian gives Hill a ring containing valuable alchemical materials. Hill encourages him to create original inventions rather than merely following his teacher’s blueprints.
• The two discuss whether creations without obvious practical use still have value. Hill argues that anything people enjoy or are willing to buy has worth, especially among the Undead, who readily spend money on entertaining or novel magical devices.
• Adrian explains that the conflict between the nobles and the Undead requires a powerful, capable figure to serve as City Lord. He is effectively the only suitable candidate unless another Legendary expert agrees to lower their status and take the position.

Character Developments

• William remains practical and confident, valuing the City Lord’s Manor primarily as a strong defensive structure rather than an aesthetically pleasing home. He also demonstrates awareness of the limits of his authority by refusing to rescue the Spencer Family from the consequences of their mistakes.
• Naven accepts a more important and independent role under William. He has grown from a relatively unremarkable family member into someone approaching the Legendary level, largely because of his loyalty and proximity to William.
• Spencer becomes more openly critical and teasing toward William, particularly regarding William’s habit of overhearing private conversations through his vast spiritual power. Their exchange shows increasing familiarity and comfort.
• Adrian commits to five years as City Lord, showing that the compensation was sufficient to make the dangerous political role worthwhile. He also begins reconsidering his insecurity about creating original artifacts.
• Hill displays his usual confidence, luck, and encouragement. He reassures Adrian that even imperfect or impractical inventions can still have value and reminds him of his talent as an Artifact Alchemy Grandmaster.

Significant Themes

• Value is determined by existence and appeal, not merely utility. Hill argues that an object does not need to be practically necessary to have value; if people enjoy it or want to possess it, it serves a purpose.
• The consequences of choices: The Spencer Family’s decline is presented as the result of repeated poor decisions, while Naven’s rise comes from choosing to remain loyal to William.
• Loyalty and proximity: Those who stay close to William receive opportunities and protection, while those who distance themselves or fail to recognize his importance eventually lose influence.
• Innovation versus imitation: Adrian is encouraged to stop relying solely on his teacher’s blueprints and create freely, even at the risk of failure.
• Power and responsibility: Adrian’s appointment reflects the need for someone strong enough to mediate between nobles and the Undead, showing that political authority requires both capability and willingness to bear danger.

Character Interactions

• William and Naven: William assigns Naven a new role and implicitly separates him from the Spencer Family’s internal problems. Naven responds with understanding rather than resentment.
• William and Spencer: Their banter centers on William’s involuntary—or partly voluntary—eavesdropping. Spencer mocks him for listening to gossip, while William insists that overhearing it is not truly his fault.
• Adrian and Hill: Their reunion is affectionate and familiar. Hill is intensely curious about Adrian’s reward, while Adrian shares his plans and doubts. Hill encourages Adrian to trust his own skill and experiment creatively.
• William and Adrian: Though they do not interact directly for long, William’s negotiations with Adrian shape the chapter. Adrian’s willingness to serve as City Lord confirms that William offered him a highly valuable arrangement.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Adrian discusses the political situation in Central City with Hill. He explains that his role is to prevent the great nobles from interfering with officials handling affairs concerning the Undead or provoking unrest.
• Adrian believes nobles may attempt to manipulate ordinary officials, but he is prepared to suppress such schemes immediately by controlling the city’s magic formations.
• Hill worries that some officials may accept bribes and cause trouble. Adrian says he will protect those who uphold their principles but will not save people who willingly seek trouble.
• Adrian admits he acted boldly without informing Falan, his teacher. Hill takes the Cloud Ship far from Central City so Adrian can contact Falan safely and avoid being overheard.
• Falan mocks Adrian for negotiating too poorly and accepting too little from William. Adrian had failed to realize that his presence in Central City was strategically valuable to the Mage Association because of his connection to Draculus.
• While Adrian is being scolded, Hill notices a white ship from the Mage Association arriving in Central City. It carries many people, including young Mages.
• A massive explosion suddenly erupts in the north, apparently destroying the Mage Association’s headquarters and possibly the entire mountain range containing the Mage Kingdom.
• Hill realizes that only about three thousand people escaped on the ship, despite the Mage Kingdom’s far larger population. He concludes that the Mage Association may have split into factions and that Draculus’s purge targeted those involved with Demons or other corruption.

Character Developments

• Adrian: Reveals his willingness to act decisively against noble interference, but also his lack of foresight in negotiating with William. Despite his confidence and strength, he remains comically fearful of Falan’s criticism.
• Hill: Continues acting as the cautious observer and mediator. He is particularly perceptive about political motives and becomes deeply disturbed by the scale of the Mage Association’s destruction.
• Falan: Demonstrates his sharp, mocking personality and his concern that Adrian failed to recognize the full value of his position. His reaction also suggests he intends to seek compensation or justice from William.
• William: Although absent from the chapter, his political strategy becomes clearer: he intends to use Adrian and other powerful figures to stabilize Central City while maintaining influence over the Mage Association and Sorcerer Tower.
• Draculus: Emerges as a ruthless reformer. His apparent destruction of the Mage Kingdom shows that he is willing to launch an extreme purge against corruption within the Mage Association.

Significant Themes

• Short-term ambition versus long-term thinking: Adrian criticizes nobles for pursuing immediate benefits without considering the future, contrasting them with longer-lived beings who plan centuries ahead.
• Political manipulation and institutional corruption: The nobles’ attempts to influence officials reflect how power structures exploit bureaucracies for personal gain.
• Justice versus collateral damage: The destruction of the Mage Kingdom raises questions about whether Draculus’s purge was necessary and whether the deaths of so many people can be justified.
• Responsibility and concealed information: Adrian’s poor negotiation resulted partly from William and Falan withholding important information, showing how secrecy affects political decisions.
• The danger of corruption: Those connected to Demons appear to have been targeted, suggesting that corruption within powerful organizations has reached a crisis point.

Character Interactions

• Hill and Adrian have a relaxed but teasing relationship, with Hill serving as the practical voice while Adrian complains about nobles and fears being reprimanded.
• Adrian depends on Hill’s Cloud Ship and senses to create a safe place for communicating with Falan.
• Falan scolds Adrian through the communicator, while Hill listens with amusement.
• Adrian and Hill react together to the Mage Association’s arrival and the enormous explosion, shifting from political discussion to alarm over the destruction in the north.
• Their conversation also reveals differing perspectives: Adrian trusts that Draculus would avoid killing innocents, while Hill focuses on the horrifying scale of the apparent catastrophe.

Chapter Summary: “Racing Forward, Preparing for Battle!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Hill reflects on Draculus’s destruction of the corrupted Mage Association territory. Although Draculus killed enormous numbers of people, Hill believes the president deliberately chose the quickest method: destroying the entire mountain range rather than investigating every individual area.
• The World Will does not count the destruction as harming nature because the attack was officially directed against Demons. Nature Consciousness nevertheless mourns the devastation, though it has not awakened enough to act.
• Falan receives reports about the disaster through his Tower Spirit, Diamont. The Mage Association’s branches are confused and scrambling for information, suggesting that the crisis is mainly a conflict among Lawbound Legendary Mages rather than an attack involving ordinary members.
• Legendary Mage Halaster Chambers recounts narrowly surviving the blast by hiding inside the Alchemical Mage Tower he had purchased from Falan. He reveals that only six Mage Association ships escaped, leaving tens of thousands alive out of a population that may have numbered hundreds of thousands.
• Some heavily corrupted Mages survived the explosion, but Draculus and the other Lawbound Legendaries killed every survivor they found, believing no ordinary human could have endured the blast.
• Draculus remains at the scene, apparently waiting for a powerful Demon to reveal itself. Hill realizes that this Demon may escape because of its extraordinary concealment abilities.
• Believing that his Sun God Power and anti-evil spells can expose or obstruct the Demon, Hill decides to rush to the battlefield. His plan is to create layers of tornadoes that will block the Demon while invisible, giving Draculus time to capture it.
• Adrian initially tries to accompany Hill, but both Hill and Falan insist that he return because he lacks the strength to survive the encounter. Hill then speeds toward the battlefield alone.
• Before reaching the danger zone, Hill strengthens the Cloud Ship with large quantities of high-grade crystals, stores the plants aboard in his pendant space, and prepares the ship’s defenses. He knows it can withstand one Demigod-level attack but would likely be destroyed afterward.

Character Developments

• Hill: Becomes more willing to act directly against danger. He recognizes that his growing strength gives him the ability—and responsibility—to protect others. His hatred of Demons is intensified by Nature Consciousness, but he still approaches the situation strategically rather than emotionally. He also demonstrates greater confidence in his abilities and readiness to risk himself.
• Adrian: Experiences a major moment of self-awareness. Being unable to follow Hill makes him realize how weak he remains compared with Legendary figures. His previously comfortable and unfocused attitude changes, and he becomes determined to pursue Legendary power.
• Draculus: Is portrayed as ruthlessly pragmatic and absolutely committed to his alignment. He accepts massive collateral deaths when destroying Demons and corrupted Mages, but he does not casually change his principles. His decision to wait at the battlefield suggests that he is hunting a particularly dangerous hidden enemy.
• Falan: Acts as a calm source of information and authority. He understands the danger, reassures others, and decisively orders Adrian to withdraw so that Hill can carry out his intended role.
• Chambers: His near-death experience reveals the terrifying scale of the disaster. Although initially shaken, he gradually regains composure while reporting what happened.

Significant Themes

• The value and fragility of life: The destruction demonstrates how easily enormous populations can be sacrificed in conflicts involving powerful beings. Hill is troubled by the fact that human lives seem worth less than grass.
• Pragmatism versus compassion: Draculus’s actions may be strategically justified, but they raise moral questions about whether efficiency can excuse indiscriminate destruction.
• Power and responsibility: Hill’s strength allows him to sympathize with weaker beings and intervene rather than remain a passive observer.
• Growth through helplessness: Adrian’s inability to aid Hill forces him to confront his shortcomings and gives him a renewed determination to become stronger.
• Nature and law: The World Will judges actions rigidly according to formal rules, while Nature Consciousness responds emotionally to the actual suffering caused by those actions.
• Preparation for greater conflict: The Cloud Ship’s fortification and the mention of future Demigod involvement foreshadow escalating battles and the need for careful preparation.

Important Character Interactions

• Hill and Adrian: They discuss Draculus’s actions and the hidden Demon. Hill explains his plan to use tornadoes and anti-evil power, while Adrian worries about his safety. Their exchange highlights Hill’s growing independence and Adrian’s protective but limited position.
• Hill and Falan: Falan listens to Hill and Adrian through the communicator and supports Hill’s decision while ordering Adrian to retreat. His judgment reinforces Hill’s role in the coming confrontation.
• Falan and Chambers: Falan questions Chambers about the disaster, helping reconstruct the scale of the destruction and the fate of the survivors.
• Draculus and the surviving Mages: Draculus’s forces eliminate all surviving heavily corrupted Mages, emphasizing his uncompromising approach to eradicating Demonic influence.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Hill insists that Windmill Jasmine and Lily retreat into the pendant space before he approaches the ruined Mage Kingdom, unwilling to risk the destruction of their Legendary bodies.
• Before leaving, Windmill Jasmine plants poison sacs around the Cloud Ship as a defense against ambushes. Lily gives Hill a branch with two bells: one protects his Mental Sea, while the other can stun enemies with a powerful mental attack.
• Hill flies over the devastated territory of the Half-Elf Legendaries. The Demon attack has destroyed forests, mountains, homes, and ancient Mage Towers, leaving many Mages injured or searching for survivors.
• At the enormous Deep Pit, Hill witnesses Draculus arguing with Gilens Jia’en. Draculus blames Gilens and the other Mages for their weakness and orders them to leave his territory, while Gilens defends his decision to seek immortality through the Gods rather than endure the hardships of entering the Starry Sky.
• As Gilens attempts to leave, Hill deliberately casts Ice Storm around him, trapping and humiliating him while claiming it was an accidental attempt to prevent Demons from escaping.
• Gilens escapes with little physical harm but is furious and returns to his partially destroyed Mage Tower.
• Draculus and other Legendaries approach Hill, partly to benefit from the mana-restoring effects of Hill’s Tranquil Water. Draculus praises Hill’s spell for helping contain any surviving Demons.
• Hill remains at the Deep Pit, maintaining more than one hundred ice tornadoes through his mental power to prevent the Demon responsible for the destruction from escaping.

Character Developments

• Hill demonstrates greater confidence and strategic boldness. Instead of directly confronting Gilens with open hostility, he uses a plausible excuse to take revenge and publicly embarrass him. He also proves capable of sustaining a massive, highly controlled spell.
• Windmill Jasmine and Lily show their loyalty and concern for Hill. Their protective abilities reveal that the magic plants are not merely support companions but powerful offensive forces in their own right.
• Gilens Jia’en is portrayed as arrogant, selfish, and unwilling to endure the suffering required for true ascension. Although he has lived for tens of thousands of years and could have entered the Starry Sky, he chose divine immortality instead, accepting the consequences of abandoning the Mage path.
• Draculus appears powerful, sarcastic, and uncompromising. He despises both Demons and Mages who betray magical truth, and he openly asserts his authority over the ruined territory.
• Adrian is indirectly characterized as fair-minded and respected. Draculus intends to recruit him to his school, suggesting Adrian possesses qualities admired by powerful Mages.

Significant Themes

• Revenge and restrained retaliation: Hill uses the chaotic situation to settle an old grudge against Gilens without openly admitting his motives.
• The cost of immortality: Gilens’s choice highlights the contrast between enduring hardship through the Mage path and seeking easier immortality through divine allegiance.
• Consequences of betrayal: Draculus condemns Mages who abandon magical truth for the Gods, viewing them as more contemptible than Demon worshippers.
• Destruction and survival: The ruined landscape and burning corpses emphasize the enormous cost of the Demon attack, while Hill’s containment spell represents the survivors’ determination to prevent further loss.
• Power versus ideology: The chapter contrasts Draculus’s mastery of magic with Hill’s divinely empowered spell, raising tension between traditional magical research and divine abilities.
• Loyalty and protection: Hill’s care for the two magic plants, and their efforts to protect him in return, reinforce the trust and affection within their group.

Character Interactions

• Hill gently but firmly argues with Windmill Jasmine and Lily, prioritizing their survival over their desire to accompany him.
• Draculus and Gilens exchange hostile accusations. Draculus mocks Gilens’s bloodline, ambitions, and allegiance to the Gods, while Gilens criticizes Draculus’s neutrality and responsibility for the destruction.
• Hill intentionally provokes Gilens through exaggerated politeness after trapping him in the Ice Storm, turning their first meeting into a humiliating encounter.
• Draculus recognizes Hill’s revenge and asks whether he feels better, while Hill pretends innocence.
• Draculus and Hill briefly discuss their identities, Adrian’s situation, the Mage Association, and the usefulness of Hill’s spell. Their polite exchange conceals a mutual understanding of political tensions and shifting alliances.

Summary: “Open Strife, Hidden Schemes”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Hill keeps the defensive magic array around his Cloud Ship active, refusing to let Draculus’s followers enter or rest there. He remains wary of Draculus, recognizing that nearly every remark the ancient Mage makes is a test or an attempt to provoke conflict.
• Draculus subtly tries to create distrust between Hill and Adrian by implying that Falan treats Hill differently from Adrian, despite Adrian being Falan’s heir. Hill recognizes the manipulation and counters by reminding Draculus that Adrian is now lord of Central City. If Adrian learned of his connection to Draculus, he could exploit the Mage Association’s resources against them.
• Draculus quickly retreats from the provocation, claiming that he merely wants to recruit Adrian because of his talent for commanding the Undead. Hill suspects that Draculus is motivated by Adrian’s usefulness rather than genuine concern.
• Falan has been listening through the communicator. Hill deliberately keeps the connection open so Falan can hear Draculus’s schemes without worrying about Hill’s safety.
• After the effects of Tranquil Water end, the Lawbound Legendary spread through the sky around the Deep Pit. Hill realizes that their true goal may not be fighting the Demons but investigating a strange ripple that appears to be the entrance to a damaged Demiplane.
• Hill studies the phenomenon and records his observations. He tells Falan that the Demiplane may provide clues about finding realms connected to the Mental Sea. Falan immediately decides to come.
• While waiting, Hill strengthens the defensive perimeter by creating and carefully merging dozens of additional Ice Dragon Tornadoes with the existing storms around the Deep Pit.
• Falan arrives and is allowed through Hill’s defensive array. Draculus soon joins them, leading to a tense but humorous exchange.
• Falan openly confronts Draculus for trying to stir up discord between teachers and students. Draculus claims he was only studying whether people can shift from good to evil and whether Gods and Demons represent humanity’s moral opposition.
• Draculus criticizes Hill’s Sorcerer nature and argues that Sorcerers rely too much on bloodlines. Falan defends Hill, arguing that Mages should be free to choose their own paths and that Draculus is hypocritical for meddling in others’ choices while neglecting the Mage Association.
• Falan also warns Draculus not to underestimate the King of Salar, revealing that their former cooperation depended on the king’s neutrality. Hill finds the exchange nearly impossible not to laugh at.

Character Developments

• Hill: Becomes increasingly perceptive and guarded. He sees through Draculus’s attempts at manipulation, recognizes the strategic importance of the Demiplane, and demonstrates impressive control by expanding the Ice Dragon Tornado defense without creating gaps.
• Falan: Shows strong trust in Hill and immediate confidence in Hill’s judgment. He is protective but not blindly so, confronting Draculus directly and defending Hill’s abilities and independence.
• Draculus: Reveals himself as provocative, manipulative, and intellectually curious rather than openly malicious. He enjoys testing emotional relationships and philosophical boundaries, but quickly backs down when his schemes could produce practical consequences. His comments also expose his bias against Sorcerers and his failure as a teacher and leader.
• Adrian: Does not appear directly, but his political power and practical abilities are emphasized. He is portrayed as an efficient, potentially ruthless administrator whom Draculus would like to recruit or exploit.
• Falan’s relationship with Draculus: Their long-standing association is shown to be fragile. Falan is willing to cooperate with Draculus only when circumstances permit and would abandon him if he threatened the king or their interests.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and hidden motives: Draculus’s seemingly casual comments are designed to test loyalties and provoke divisions. The chapter emphasizes the danger of taking words at face value.
• Trust and communication: Hill’s open communicator allows Falan to hear the conversation and prevents Draculus from controlling the narrative. Their trust contrasts with Draculus’s attempts to create suspicion.
• Power and utility: The Legendary Mages are motivated less by the Demons themselves than by the valuable Demiplane. The chapter presents powerful figures as calculating opportunists who act when there is something to gain.
• Individual paths and identity: The debate over Sorcerers and Mages explores whether power should come from inherited bloodlines or personal choice. Falan defends the legitimacy of different paths, while Draculus favors the Mage approach of self-directed study.
• Neutrality versus morality: Draculus claims to be neutral, but his willingness to offend or kill anyone who provokes him suggests that neutrality does not make him harmless.
• Knowledge as power: Hill’s careful observations of the damaged Demiplane show his growing role as a researcher and strategist, not merely a combatant.

Important Character Interactions

• Hill and Draculus: Their conversation is a battle of indirect threats and hidden tests. Hill remains outwardly controlled while internally recognizing Draculus’s attempts to manipulate him.
• Hill and Falan: Their communicator demonstrates mutual trust. Hill informs Falan about the Demiplane, and Falan immediately responds, treating Hill’s observations as important.
• Falan and Draculus: Falan directly rebukes Draculus’s divisive behavior and defends Hill’s abilities. Their banter reveals familiarity but also deep disagreement and conditional loyalty.
• Draculus and Adrian: Though Adrian is absent, Draculus’s interest in recruiting him drives much of the chapter’s tension. Hill views this interest as an attempt to acquire Falan’s valuable heir and exploit his administrative talent.
• Falan and the King of Salar: Falan’s warning about the king establishes that Draculus’s survival depends partly on others choosing not to oppose him, and that Falan’s loyalty is ultimately conditional.

Chapter Summary: “The Truth Revealed—So It Was You”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Falan refuses to explain William’s frightening nature to Draculus, suggesting that Draculus observe William himself. The chapter emphasizes that William’s playful appearance hides a ruthless and powerful personality.
• Hill temporarily deactivates and restores the defensive array around the Cloud Ship while warning Falan that the Demiplane’s spatial fluctuations are intensifying. The Demiplane’s entrance has been destroyed, and continued attacks threaten to annihilate the entire space.
• Draculus fights the two fallen Dwarf Gods, particularly the Forge God, using lightning and Hill’s Ice Dragon Tornado. He restrains rather than kills them, allowing the other Legendaries to study the Demiplane’s destruction.
• A group of Demons escapes from the collapsing Demiplane. Some flee underground, triggering another explosion, while others attempt to find gaps in the surrounding tornadoes.
• Hill identifies three Vrocks as protectors of the true Demon leader. He suspects the protected figure is Ferruccio Beati, a former vice president of the Mage Association who betrayed humanity and joined the Abyss.
• Hill uses mist infused with Sun God Power to weaken the Demons and force them to divide their attention between escaping and protecting themselves. He prepares to severely injure the suspected commander rather than kill him personally.
• Ferruccio repeatedly attempts to break through the Legendary Mages’ defenses. When he fails, he calls for Karula’s assistance.
• Karula attacks the Cloud Ship with a silver sword. Falan blocks her with a Mirror Reflection Spell, while Hill warns everyone to defend against mental and poison attacks.
• Karula reveals that she had intended to remain hidden and mentions her master’s interest in the world’s fall into the Abyss. She then transforms into an Elf, prompting an enraged voice from the Starry Sky to exclaim, “So it was you!”

Character Developments

• Hill demonstrates increasing strategic awareness and confidence. He carefully analyzes the fleeing Demons, trusts his intuition, and coordinates with Falan to prepare a decisive attack.
• Falan shows his support for Hill by offering to defend him without demanding to know which Demon Hill has selected. Their cooperation reflects growing trust.
• Draculus is revealed to be less omniscient than he believed. He had known that Mages were being corrupted but underestimated the danger, particularly Ferruccio’s betrayal. His suppressed anger finally surfaces when Ferruccio appears.
• Ferruccio Beati is exposed as the hidden Lawbound Legendary who betrayed the Mage Association and now commands or assists the Demonic forces. His transformation and repeated attacks reveal his full commitment to the Abyss.
• Karula is revealed as a powerful, previously concealed enemy with swordsmanship, mental, and poison-related abilities. Her Elven identity connects her to the world’s fallen Elven past and suggests a deeper relationship with the Abyss.
• Draculus and the Forge God continue their controlled confrontation, with Draculus suppressing the Dwarf forces while avoiding an all-out battle.

Significant Themes

• Power determines respect: The chapter contrasts the treatment of powerful Gods with that of weaker ones, showing that status and strength—not morality—govern divine relationships.
• Hidden identities and betrayal: Ferruccio and Karula reveal that major threats have been concealed within trusted institutions and alliances.
• Appearance versus reality: William’s smile hides his harsh nature, while Karula’s human appearance conceals her true Elven form and allegiance.
• Control and overconfidence: Draculus believes events remain manageable, but Ferruccio’s betrayal proves that his assumptions and systems of control are imperfect.
• Observation and knowledge: The Legendaries study the destruction of the Demiplane, while Hill analyzes the Demons. Understanding hidden structures and behavior becomes as important as raw strength.
• Corruption and neutrality: The chapter explores how supposedly neutral individuals can tolerate or enable evil if they believe it serves a greater purpose.

Character Interactions

• Falan advises Draculus about William while withholding judgment, encouraging him to form his own opinion.
• Hill and Falan coordinate defensively, with Falan promising to follow Hill’s attack.
• Draculus battles the Forge God and the other fallen Dwarf God while making use of Hill’s tornadoes.
• Ferruccio openly challenges the defending Legendaries and summons Karula after failing to break through.
• Karula directly attacks Hill’s Cloud Ship, forcing Falan to intervene.
• Karula’s transformation into an Elf triggers a furious reaction from the Starry Sky, suggesting that her true identity is connected to a previously unresolved betrayal.

Chapter Summary: “Rose’s Maid, Elven Queen!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Hill and Falan discover that the beautiful elf opposing them is actually Karula, formerly known as Carol, the second queen of the Elven Forest and a legendary Demigod believed to have died ten thousand years earlier.
• The Elven God-King recognizes Carol and is shocked to learn that she survived. Her identity reveals a complicated history involving the Elven royal family, the Moon Elves, the Hunting Goddess, and the God-King’s many lovers.
• Carol explains that she had been forced to reveal her true appearance because of Hill and angrily attacks him and Falan.
• Falan engages Karula in battle. Ordinary elemental attacks are ineffective against her, but his golden arrows, spatial cuts, and wind blades manage to suppress her movements.
• Karula repeatedly reaches for a blue crystal pendant, suggesting that it is essential to her power or disguise. Falan notices and intensifies his assault to prevent her from using it.
• Hill summons more than a dozen Elemental Lord projections to reinforce the battle. Since the Demons appear to have exhausted their other strategies, the Elemental Lords finally agree to intervene.
• Hill uses Tranquil Water for a second time, astonishing Falan, though Hill reveals that doing so imposes a recovery penalty. Falan takes advantage of the opportunity to restore his mana and mental strength.
• Realizing that the battle is turning against her, Karula throws away the blue pendant and transforms from an elf into her true form: a spider-bodied Demon. Her aura immediately becomes openly evil and venomous.
• The Elven God-King again identifies her as Rose’s servant, and several Elven Demigods emerge from the direction of the Elven Forest, apparently summoned or mobilized by him.
• The pendant releases a wave of black, demonic energy, but William blocks it with silver light. He reveals that Rose’s full power would be dangerous, but the strength carried by her maid is insufficient to force him to retreat.
• William mocks Karula and asks to see her true form, while Karula proudly insists that Demonic transformation is beautiful and powerful according to Rose’s standards. She also recognizes William as King Salar.

Character Developments

• Hill remains cautious and observant, concealing his shock at Carol’s identity while supporting Falan and expanding the battle through his elemental summons. His ability to use Tranquil Water twice demonstrates his considerable power, though it comes with a cost.
• Falan displays confidence and tactical discipline. Rather than trying to kill Karula, he focuses on restraining her and preventing her from activating the pendant. His usual composure breaks briefly when he is surprised by Hill’s second use of Tranquil Water.
• Karula/Carol is revealed as a long-lived, highly powerful Demigod who abandoned her former identity and became one of Rose’s Demonic servants. Her beauty is a disguise or altered form, while her spider-Demon body represents her true allegiance.
• The Elven God-King reacts with anger and shock upon discovering that Carol is alive and connected to Rose. His response suggests that the revelation reopens old romantic and political wounds.
• William enters the conflict openly and confidently. He treats Karula as a lesser threat than Rose herself and deliberately provokes her by ridiculing her transformed appearance.
• Rose does not appear directly, but her influence dominates the chapter. Karula’s transformation, beliefs, and power all stem from her service to Rose.

Significant Themes

• Identity and transformation: Carol’s beautiful Elven appearance conceals her demonic nature, emphasizing the difference between outward beauty and inner allegiance.
• Beauty versus power: The Elven God-King once chose Carol because she was the most beautiful, while Karula now claims that Rose’s Demonic forms are the true ideal of beauty and strength.
• Manipulation and political relationships: The history of the Elven God-King, the Hunting Goddess, the Moon Elves’ Lord, and Carol reveals how romance, succession, and divine power are intertwined.
• Loyalty and ideological conversion: Karula no longer values her former Elven identity. She embraces Rose’s preferences and considers her Demon form superior, showing how completely she has committed herself to Rose.
• Hidden strength and strategic restraint: Both Hill and Karula conceal their true capabilities until necessary. Hill uses his reserves carefully, while Karula delays revealing her Demon form and pendant.

Character Interactions

• The Elven God-King confronts Karula verbally, recognizing her as Carol and reacting emotionally to her survival.
• Falan and Karula engage in a prolonged magical duel, with Falan countering her swordsmanship and defenses while preventing her from using the pendant.
• Hill supports Falan rather than immediately joining the duel, then changes the balance by summoning the Elemental Lords and restoring Falan’s stamina.
• William directly challenges and taunts Karula, dismissing her borrowed power compared with Rose’s true strength.
• Karula responds defiantly, asserting that Demons follow Rose’s standards rather than human ideas of beauty, and identifies William as King Salar.

Chapter Summary: “Mage’s Shame, the Babau Demon!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• William and Hill discuss Karula, a powerful Wax Demon and one of Rose’s Twelve Handmaidens. Although Karula has caused immense suffering, her actions have slowed the Elves’ expansion and unintentionally given humanity time to recover.
• Hill considers imprisoning Karula with spatial magic and sending her into the Starry Sky to be destroyed by the Sun God, but recognizes that doing so would provoke Rose, whose power and influence remain dangerous.
• Karula reveals that Rose sealed her true form so she could maintain a stable appearance in the Material Realm. William deliberately provokes her by asking to see her real form and sarcastically suggesting that he might someday be “tricked” into becoming Chaotic Evil.
• When the Elven Demigods arrive to attack, Karula abandons her apparent alliance with William and launches herself at them. She declares that her mission has failed and that she will use their deaths to satisfy Rose.
• William realizes that Karula may have been responsible for the deaths of many Elven and Moon Elf Demigods. He speculates that she has been observing and manipulating the Elven leadership while investigating the Elven God-King’s past and reporting to Rose.
• While Karula distracts the Elven Demigods, Hill notices that three powerful Demons are attempting to escape through the Ice Dragon Tornado. Several half-demons sacrifice themselves by detonating inside the storm to create an opening.
• Hill counters with dozens of powerful earth- and sand-based tornadoes, stunning the three Demons. Two of their remaining servants self-destruct to protect their master, but William, Falan, and the Elemental Lords combine their attacks against the leader.
• The great Demon survives the combined assault and retreats toward the Deep Pit, abusing Ferruccio Beati when the Mage responds to him. His treatment of the Lawbound Legendary disgusts Falan and exposes the Mage’s humiliating submission to demonic power.
• William attacks the Demon with spatial blades, forcing him to reveal his true appearance. William identifies him as a Babau.
• The Babau claims that he evolved within this world, arguing that even a world with a short history can produce unexpected Demonic threats through humanity’s actions.

Character Developments

• William: Remains cautious and pragmatic toward Karula, recognizing both her usefulness and the danger of provoking Rose. However, he strongly rejects subservience to Demons and views Ferruccio’s submission as a betrayal of humanity.
• Hill: Demonstrates strategic awareness and considerable earth-magic power. He detects the escape attempt that others overlook and successfully disrupts the Demons’ plan with sandstorm and stone-based attacks.
• Karula: Reveals herself as a highly intelligent, devoted, and manipulative servant of Rose. Despite her apparent cooperation with William, she immediately turns against the Elven Demigods once her mission fails.
• The Babau: Emerges as an exceptionally powerful Demon capable of surviving attacks that could seriously injure Draculus. His claim that he evolved in the Material Realm suggests that humanity itself may be creating new and dangerous Demonic entities.
• Ferruccio Beati: Is shown to have fallen into a degrading relationship of obedience toward the Babau, causing the Mages and Falan deep shame and anger.

Significant Themes

• Pragmatic alliances: William tolerates Karula because her goals sometimes benefit humanity, illustrating the difference between cooperation and genuine friendship.
• The danger of greater powers: Rose’s influence is constantly present even when she does not intervene directly. Karula’s actions reflect the vast consequences of divine and demonic agendas.
• Betrayal and loyalty: Karula’s loyalty belongs solely to Rose, while Ferruccio’s obedience to the Babau contrasts sharply with William’s refusal to submit to Demonic authority.
• Humanity’s unintended consequences: The Babau’s evolution implies that human behavior, ambition, or corruption may produce threats that even the Demons did not originally bring into the world.
• Shame among Mages: Ferruccio’s humiliation reinforces the chapter’s concern with whether Mages preserve their dignity and independence when confronted by overwhelming power.

Character Interactions

• William and Karula exchange sarcastic and ideological remarks, with William mocking Rose’s recruitment efforts and Karula praising William’s intelligence while condemning humanity.
• Karula openly turns against the Elven Demigods, treating them as sacrifices for Rose after declaring her mission a failure.
• Hill coordinates indirectly with William and the Elemental Lords, using his magic to prevent the Demons from escaping.
• Falan reacts furiously to Ferruccio’s submission and joins William and the Elemental Lords in attacking the Babau.
• The Babau humiliates and beats Ferruccio, demonstrating the master-servant dynamic between them before confronting William’s assault.

Chapter Summary: “Annihilate the Enemy, Then Turn to the Dwarves!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• William realizes that the appearance of numerous high-ranking Demons in the newborn world is highly abnormal, since such powerful beings should not normally be able to enter it.
• The Babau reveals that he entered through an Abyssal Gate and serves Demogorgon, the Demon Prince. He claims he was once a wounded Druid who became Demogorgon’s follower after being rescued by him.
• The Babau intended to sacrifice the Elves and the World Tree ship in a massive blood ritual. After discovering the new world, however, he decided to delay the sacrifice and use the world’s inhabitants as additional offerings.
• William identifies the danger: if the Babau destroys the Mage Association and completes the sacrifice, the Abyssal Gate could reopen and the world could become an apocalyptic wasteland.
• William orders everyone to attack. Hill combines his Ice Dragon Tornadoes, while William, Draculus, the Elven forces, and other powerful fighters assault the Babau and the Demons.
• The Babau proves extremely difficult to hit, using high speed and short-range teleportation to evade attacks. Meanwhile, the corrupted Ferruccio Beati becomes a major target because his actions nearly enabled the blood sacrifice.
• Hill warns the Elemental Lords to retreat just before several Gods intervene from beyond the Starry Sky. The Sun God, Moon God, and God of Space-Time launch divine attacks through a temporary breach in the world’s barrier.
• A divine arrow pins the Babau down, sunlight weakens him, moonlight immobilizes the other Demons, and spatial rifts tear away much of their bodies. The Demons, including Ferruccio, are left helpless.
• Karula escapes rather than continue fighting. Hill takes advantage of the divine sunlight to recover his depleted Mental Sea.
• William then confronts the Forge God, accusing him of possessing armor-making abilities far beyond his apparent power. He suspects the Dwarves may have stolen a powerful God’s arsenal. The Forge God angrily denies this, attacks William, and escapes with his followers.

Character Developments and Interactions

• William remains decisive and strategically focused. He interrogates the Babau to determine whether an Abyss Lord is directly involved, then quickly unites the various forces against the invasion. After the Demons are defeated, he immediately shifts his attention to the Forge God and the Dwarves.
• Hill demonstrates both caution and offensive power. He stays inside the study because his mana is nearly exhausted, but still provides crucial support with his Ice Dragon Tornado and sandstorm. His ability to sense the divine assault allows him to protect the Elemental Lords.
• The Babau is revealed as a fanatical, ambitious servant of Demogorgon. He believes his accumulated sacrifices have made him valuable enough to be resurrected even if killed, showing his confidence in Demogorgon’s favor.
• Ferruccio Beati is treated as a disgrace by the Mages because he willingly became a Demon and nearly enabled the destruction of the world. His transformation makes him a central target of the counterattack.
• The Elven forces react with fury because the Babau’s original plan involved sacrificing hundreds of thousands of Elves. Even the Elven God-King stops arguing and contributes to the attack.
• Karula abandons the battle when the Gods intervene, escaping through an unknown method.
• The Forge God becomes suspiciously defensive when William questions the origin of his armor-making abilities. Their exchange hints at a deeper connection between the Dwarves, stolen divine power, and possibly a powerful lost arsenal.

Significant Themes

• The danger of demonic corruption: The chapter emphasizes how one individual’s willing surrender to evil can endanger an entire world.
• Sacrifice and exploitation: The Babau views lives, souls, and even newly discovered worlds as resources for gaining favor from a greater evil.
• Power beyond the world: The intervention of multiple Gods demonstrates that the conflict extends beyond the newborn world and involves forces operating across cosmic boundaries.
• Trust and deception: William repeatedly questions the Babau’s claims, recognizing that Demons are inherently deceitful. The Forge God’s evasive reaction similarly suggests hidden motives.
• Temporary alliances against existential threats: Gods, Elves, Mages, Elemental Lords, and other factions cooperate because the Demon invasion threatens everyone, despite their existing conflicts.
• The consequences of ambition: The Babau’s desire for greater rewards and the Forge God’s secretive pursuit of power both reveal how ambition can lead to betrayal, corruption, and catastrophe.

Overall Significance

The Demon invasion is decisively suppressed through coordinated attacks and intervention from powerful Gods, preventing the world from becoming the site of a massive blood sacrifice. However, the chapter ends by introducing a new mystery: the Forge God may possess power stolen from an unknown divine arsenal, shifting the immediate focus from the Demons to the Dwarves and their hidden secrets.

Chapter Summary: “A Shocking Sword Strike, Hill Assassinated!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• William and the Lawbound Legendaries wait for Ferruccio Beati to die. His death will mark the final collapse of the Mage Association and the end of its unified structure.
• William suspects that someone is secretly manipulating events and refuses to kill Ferruccio immediately, hoping to expose the hidden force behind him.
• Draculus and William debate Ferruccio’s betrayal of humanity. Draculus views betrayal simply as a result deserving punishment, while William argues that Ferruccio’s loss of humanity may have come from becoming detached from ordinary people.
• As Ferruccio dies and golden flames consume his body, an unseen attacker suddenly strikes Hill’s Cloud Ship with a powerful sword. The blow cleaves the ship in half and appears to assassinate Hill.
• William and Falan pursue the attacker, revealed to be a Dwarven woman wielding a Divine Artifact sword. She boasts that Nature Sorcerers should not exist.
• The Elemental Lords bombard the wreckage of the Cloud Ship, discovering several small corpses and a dangerous ruptured Windmill Jasmine poison sac. Hill’s Earth Elemental Lord warns everyone not to approach the area.
• The assassin briefly becomes translucent and escapes through the ground. William and Falan destroy the surrounding terrain but fail to capture her.
• Hill is revealed to be alive and hiding safely. He cannot speak because of the poison, but the Windmill Jasmine mist will dissipate in roughly half a month.
• William angrily confronts Draculus and the other Mages for failing to help Hill during the attack. Draculus explains that Mages do not risk themselves for others without a direct reason, and that Hill himself never expected them to intervene.
• Falan reinforces Draculus’s emotional coldness by revealing that Draculus once cared so little for his own students that he would have allowed their legacy to disappear. Falan refused to follow him because he feared becoming equally detached.

Character Developments

• William: Becomes increasingly protective of Hill and furious that the assassination occurred under his authority as King of Salar. His reaction shows that he values personal loyalty and individual lives, placing him in direct opposition to Draculus’s neutrality.
• Hill: Demonstrates preparation and resilience. He survives a Demigod-level mental attack, the destruction of his Cloud Ship, and exposure to poison by relying on his instincts, Elemental Lords, and defensive preparations.
• Falan: Shows genuine concern for Hill and actively assists in defending him. He also openly condemns Draculus’s lack of humanity and explains why he rejected Draculus’s philosophy.
• Draculus: Is portrayed as radically neutral and emotionally detached. He considers helping others irrational unless there is a clear personal benefit, even when those involved are allies or acquaintances.
• Ferruccio Beati: Dies as a fallen former defender of Mage independence. His death emphasizes how far he has fallen from his former ideals.
• The Dwarven Assassin: Establishes herself as a dangerous enemy capable of using a Divine Artifact, powerful concealment abilities, and poison. She escapes despite William and Falan’s pursuit.

Significant Themes

• Humanity versus detachment: The chapter contrasts William and Falan’s concern for individuals with Draculus’s belief that only broad causes, such as humanity’s survival, matter.
• The corruption of ideals: Ferruccio once fought for freedom and humanity but ultimately betrayed them, suggesting that power and prolonged existence can erode moral perspective.
• Trust and self-reliance among Mages: Mages cooperate only when their interests align. Even temporary allies may not risk themselves to save one another.
• The danger of absolute neutrality: Draculus’s neutrality is shown not as fairness but as emotional disconnection, allowing him to watch friends, students, or allies die without intervening.
• Preparedness and hidden threats: Hill’s survival highlights the importance of contingency plans, while the assassin’s escape suggests a larger conspiracy remains active.

Important Character Interactions

• William and Draculus: Their philosophical disagreement grows sharper. William insists that individual lives matter, while Draculus dismisses personal suffering as irrelevant compared with larger principles.
• William and Falan: They cooperate instinctively to defend Hill, demonstrating a stronger bond and shared sense of responsibility.
• William and the Lawbound Legendaries: William expects at least some solidarity after fighting alongside them, but their refusal to help reveals the limits of their alliance.
• Falan and Draculus: Falan directly criticizes Draculus’s lack of feeling, recalling his willingness to abandon his students. Their exchange confirms Falan’s moral opposition to Draculus’s worldview.
• Hill and his Elemental Lords: The Elemental Lords protect Hill and follow his defensive plan without panic, showing their loyalty and close connection to him.

Chapter Summary: “God Mage, At Cross Purposes”

Key Plot Points and Events

• William reflects bitterly on the Mages trained by King’s Academy after several of them prioritize absolute freedom over loyalty or cooperation with Salar. He questions the value of investing in Mages who refuse to work alongside ordinary people and considers Adrian’s mercenary attitude more acceptable than their ideological resistance.
• The recent Dwarven assassination attempt against Hill is revealed to have been carefully planned. A powerful Dwarven assassin used a Divine Artifact to launch a devastating mental attack and sword strike at Hill’s cabin.
• Hill survived by hiding inside his pendant. His damaged golden and silver bells, Windmill Jasmine’s poisonous mist, and the assistance of the Elemental Lords helped protect him. Christoval concealed the pendant underground while hostile mental forces searched the area.
• William, Falan, and Hill conclude that the immediate danger has passed. William returns to Salar, citing the possibility of another Dwarven attack, while Falan withdraws into his Mage Tower and Draculus leaves for Central City.
• Hill remains hidden because he wants to continue pursuing the Demiplane and does not want the Dwarves to discover his location. Exhausted and confused about the reason for the attack, he eventually rests inside his protected demiplane.
• Draculus plans to warn Central City’s Mages that Salar’s rules and restrictions must be respected. William, however, worries that Adrian may retaliate against Draculus’s disciples because Draculus failed to help during the crisis.
• William consults the God of Space-Time about the identity and motives of the mysterious Dwarven assassin. They speculate that Hill’s connection to the Sunflower, his Nature Sorcery, or his influence over the earth and metal elements may threaten the Dwarves’ larger plans.
• The God of Space-Time warns William that the Dwarves likely have additional schemes and sends him divine spell scrolls. William considers giving some to Hill, who may be able to create holy scrolls despite not being a Priest.

Character Developments

• William: Becomes increasingly distrustful of independent Mages and more aware of the dangers posed by professionals who reject Salar’s social order. He also shows concern for Hill but remains somewhat casual and irreverent when discussing his own safety.
• Hill: Demonstrates careful preparation and defensive instincts despite his innocent appearance. The assassination attempt leaves him shaken, confused, and physically and mentally exhausted. His survival depends on his pendant, the Elemental Lords, and Windmill Jasmine.
• Falan: Is deeply frightened by the attack and becomes withdrawn, retreating into his Mage Tower rather than continuing the discussion.
• Draculus: Takes a practical, diplomatic role by going to Central City to warn Mages about Salar’s expectations. He recognizes the tension between Mage independence and the restrictions imposed by the Space-Time Pantheon.
• Adrian: Though absent from the confrontation, he is portrayed as powerful, useful, and potentially vindictive. William believes Adrian could manipulate events through his Undead followers to punish those who cross him.
• Windmill Jasmine and the Elemental Lords: Windmill Jasmine’s poisonous mist proves crucial in protecting Hill, while the Elemental Lords provide surveillance and defensive assistance before dispersing.

Significant Themes

• Freedom versus responsibility: The Mages’ insistence on personal freedom conflicts with Salar’s expectation that its resources and institutions should produce loyal, cooperative professionals.
• The dangers of power without social commitment: William views Mages who refuse to live or work among ordinary people as a threat to Salar’s stability.
• Preparation and paranoia: Hill’s survival emphasizes the importance of anticipating betrayal, even from seemingly unlikely enemies.
• Political and ideological conflict: The clash between Salar, independent Mages, the Gods, and the Dwarves reflects competing ideas about authority, equality, and control.
• Hidden cosmic consequences: Hill may be important not because of his intentions but because of the potential impact of his abilities—especially Nature Sorcery and his connection to the earth, metal, and Sunflower.
• Uncertainty and unseen threats: The true reason for the assassination remains unknown, suggesting that greater conflicts are developing beyond the characters’ immediate understanding.

Important Character Interactions

• William criticizes the King’s Academy Mages and compares their attitudes unfavorably with Falan’s equivalent-exchange philosophy and Adrian’s straightforward pursuit of payment.
• William, Falan, and Hill regroup after the assassination attempt, though Falan is too shaken to engage further.
• Hill relies on the Elemental Lords and Windmill Jasmine for protection, while Lily examines the damaged bells to understand the mental attack.
• Draculus and Falan separate after the crisis, with Falan withdrawing and Draculus heading toward Central City.
• William and the God of Space-Time debate the assassin’s identity and motives, considering the Sunflower, the Earth Goddess, and the Dwarves’ desire to control the planet.
• The God of Space-Time ends the conversation by sending William divine spell scrolls and warning him not to be captured or transported to the Divine Kingdom.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Hill dreams of his Earth Bear ancestor planting redwoods at the End of the World. The Earth Bear has spent tens of thousands of years repairing a massive rift in the earth, using redwood roots to stabilize the shattered land.
• When a Legendary bear cub approaches, the Earth Bear drives him away, insisting that only a Demigod is qualified to enter the dangerous region. Hill realizes the warning is also meant for him: he is not yet strong enough, but he should begin preparing.
• After waking, Hill concludes that the Dwarves targeted him because of his Earth Bear Bloodline, not because he was a Nature Sorcerer. He believes they fear that he may eventually reach the End of the World and accelerate the Earth Bears’ efforts with his Natural Blessing.
• Hill considers planting redwoods to help repair the rift, but decides this would take too long to serve as immediate revenge. Instead, he chooses to cultivate Jade Butterfly seeds, a fast-growing magical plant that can overrun and exhaust Dwarven mines without providing them any useful resources.
• Hill detects that Falan’s Mage Tower has established a powerful defensive barrier around the poisonous area. He realizes that many Legendary Mages had been monitoring him because they underestimated his spiritual sensitivity and assumed his recent advancement made him vulnerable.
• Using his connection to the earth, Hill travels underground into Falan’s Mage Tower, where his grandfather greets him with clear relief.
• Hill and Falan discuss the assassination attempt, the Dwarves’ confidence, the possible withdrawal of the Undead, and the likelihood that the God of Space-Time could summon help from other worlds.
• Falan criticizes the Mage Association for failing to aid Hill despite his having helped them fight Demons. Hill is more forgiving, but Falan argues that the Lawbound Legendaries have abandoned the fundamental Mage principle of repaying debts and honoring mutual assistance.

Character Developments

• Hill: His fear after the assassination attempt transforms into anger and determination. He becomes more aware of the significance of his Earth Bear heritage and begins planning both long-term preparation and immediate retaliation against the Dwarves. His confidence also grows as he recognizes the power of his spiritual perception and his unique connection to nature and the earth.
• Falan: Falan reveals deep concern for Hill, briefly showing how frightened he was by the attack. His frustration with the Mage Association highlights his strong personal code of reciprocity and loyalty.
• Earth Bear Ancestor: Through Hill’s dream, the ancestor is portrayed as tireless, disciplined, and devoted to repairing the world despite constant danger. His rejection of the bear cub reflects the immense strength and responsibility required to reach the End of the World.
• The Dwarves and Lawbound Legendaries: They are characterized as arrogant and dismissive. The Dwarves underestimate Hill’s potential, while the Legendary Mages assume their age and status make them superior to him.

Significant Themes

• Inheritance and destiny: Hill’s bloodline carries both memories and responsibilities. His Earth Bear heritage may eventually draw him into the ancient work of repairing the world.
• Nature as restoration and power: Trees, roots, and magical plants are not merely peaceful elements; they can stabilize continents or cripple an enemy’s economy.
• Revenge versus long-term responsibility: Hill wants immediate retaliation, yet he also recognizes that helping repair the End of the World may be his greater purpose.
• Arrogance and underestimation: Older, powerful beings dismiss Hill because of his recent rise, failing to understand his unusual abilities and potential.
• Reciprocity and moral obligation: Falan condemns those who accept Hill’s help but refuse to assist him in return, contrasting his principles with the selfishness of the Mage Association.
• Protection and family: Falan’s defensive barrier and emotional relief emphasize the security Hill gains from his grandfather’s support.

Character Interactions

• The Earth Bear ancestor drives away the bear cub, warning him to return only after becoming a Demigod; Hill interprets the exchange as a personal challenge.
• Hill prepares to retaliate against the Dwarves by planning to spread Jade Butterfly throughout their mines.
• Falan welcomes Hill into the Mage Tower, touches his head reassuringly, and urges him to be more cautious.
• Hill and Falan debate the Dwarves’ war with the Undead and the possibility of divine or otherworldly reinforcements.
• Falan angrily defends Hill against the Mage Association’s indifference, while Hill attempts to excuse their failure to help. Their disagreement reveals Falan’s stronger expectations regarding loyalty and repayment.

Chapter Summary: “Luck Like the Wind, Ever at My Side”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Falan explains why Draculus differs from the other Legendary Mages. Draculus believes individuals should take responsibility for their own actions, while the human Mages who tried to assassinate Hill are motivated by revenge over their dead students and relatives.
• Hill and Falan discuss why many ancient Legendaries remain in their world instead of leaving for the Starry Sky. Some fear abandoning the life they know, while others believe Draculus’s strength guarantees the world’s safety.
• They determine that Hill was targeted primarily because he possesses the Earth Bear Bloodline, a rare Elven Nature-Sorcerer bloodline that the Dwarves consider an enemy threat.
• Falan warns Hill to keep the bloodline secret, especially from Adrian, because revealing it could provoke dangerous conflicts with Draculus and his followers.
• Hill decides to retaliate indirectly by issuing a quest to the Undead. He plans to spread Jade Butterfly plants across the Dwarves’ metal-rich mines. The plants absorb metal, become extremely durable, and could overrun the mines while being difficult to destroy without damaging the resources themselves.
• Falan and Hill remain for half a month to observe the destruction of the Demiplane. When it finally collapses, remnants of it merge into Hill’s pendant, giving him a space roughly the size of Central City—about one-tenth of a Medium Demiplane.
• Hill is thrilled by this unexpected reward and plans to use the new space to cultivate magical plants and eventually construct a Mage Tower.
• Returning to Central City, Hill and Falan meet Adrian. Hill asks how to issue a quest through the Undead system and provides the necessary items and rewards.
• Hill’s quest requires the Undead to cover the Dwarves’ barren mining mountains with flowers, disguising his revenge as an aesthetic and environmental project.

Character Developments

• Hill: Reveals a colder, more calculating side after the assassination attempt. Though he remains outwardly calm, he is furious and plans an elaborate botanical retaliation. His confidence in his abilities and luck grows after gaining part of the destroyed Demiplane.
• Falan: Continues acting as Hill’s protector and adviser. He recognizes Hill’s anger but encourages him to prioritize observing the Demiplane. He is also astonished—and slightly jealous—of Hill’s extraordinary luck.
• Adrian: Remains overworked and has not yet found his path to becoming Legendary. He is unaware of Hill’s Earth Bear Bloodline, partly to prevent him from recklessly provoking Draculus’s faction.
• Draculus: Is portrayed as powerful, detached, and fascinated by human nature. His influence may have encouraged the other Mages’ complacency and opposing philosophies, making Falan wary of him.
• The other Legendary Mages: Their behavior is exposed as hypocritical: although they owe Hill for preventing the Demon Babu’s escape, they may have wanted him dead to avoid repaying the debt.

Significant Themes

• Responsibility versus obligation: Draculus believes people should act from personal responsibility, while others expect assistance and repayment despite refusing to acknowledge their own debts.
• Revenge through ingenuity: Hill’s retaliation reflects his identity as a Nature Sorcerer, using plants and ecological methods rather than direct violence.
• Luck and unexpected rewards: Hill’s ability to absorb a fragment of the Demiplane emphasizes his extraordinary fortune and the idea that adventures bring him benefits others could never obtain.
• Hidden power and secrecy: Hill’s bloodline and connection to the Nature Consciousness must remain concealed because knowledge of them could attract divine or Legendary-level enemies.
• Nature as both beauty and weapon: Hill frames his attack as beautifying barren land, but the flowers are also a powerful strategic threat to the Dwarves’ mines.

Character Interactions

• Falan and Hill have a close grandfather-grandson relationship. Falan warns Hill, protects his secrets, and offers help with revenge, while Hill reassures him and shares his plans.
• Falan and Adrian interact as teacher and student, with Falan worrying about Adrian’s impulsiveness and slow progress toward Legendary status.
• Hill and Adrian cooperate practically, with Adrian helping him access the Undead quest system.
• Hill’s coming conflict with the Dwarves remains indirect: rather than confronting them personally, he uses the Undead and his specialized plants to undermine their mines.

Chapter 318 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Hill assigns the Undead to locate and exploit several mines within Dwarven territory. Although the mines produce ordinary materials such as iron and copper, they also contain rare neutralizing resources essential to Dwarven weapon and equipment production.
• Adrian realizes that Hill is not targeting the Dwarves’ wealth directly, but their industrial foundations. Destroying or controlling these mines could force many Dwarven forges to shut down, especially because the human kingdoms have stopped trading with the Dwarves.
• The reason for Hill’s unusually aggressive action is revealed: the Dwarves previously attempted to assassinate him. The attack failed, but it destroyed his heavily defended Cloud Ship.
• Adrian is relieved that Hill survived but urges him to return to his territory. Hill agrees to leave after arranging the mining operation.
• Adrian explains that three Legendary Mages from the Mage Association attempted to force their way into the city lord’s manor to meet William. Adrian stopped them, but they injured guards during their intrusion.
• Holmes responds using a powerful magic array that amplifies his strength and unleashes the Corrosion Law. The three Legendaries survive but suffer severe Law injuries and the destruction of their defensive equipment and robes.
• The Undead further humiliate the Mages by giving them deliberately revealing, hole-filled clothing, intending to preserve and share the incident as entertainment.
• William later supports Holmes, warning the Mage Association’s president that anyone unwilling to obey Salar’s rules should leave. Holmes is restrained only after Spencer begs him not to continue humiliating the Mages.

Character Developments

• Hill demonstrates that his usual restraint has limits. The assassination attempt causes him to retaliate strategically, targeting resources vital to the Dwarves rather than attacking their population directly.
• Adrian shows strong concern for Hill’s safety. His anxiety and anger reveal how deeply he values Hill, while his political competence is shown through his handling of the visiting Legendary Mages.
• Falan remains practical and somewhat amused by Holmes’s destructive methods. He is also pleased to see one of his powerful magic arrays used successfully in real combat.
• Holmes is portrayed as overwhelmingly powerful, impatient, and terrifyingly literal in his response to disturbances. He uses excessive force to restore order but stops short of killing the intruders.
• William reinforces his authority by defending Salar’s rules and Holmes’s actions, making it clear that even powerful foreign Mages cannot ignore local law.
• The Undead continue to combine military usefulness with mischievous cruelty, enthusiastically turning the humiliation of enemies into public entertainment.

Significant Themes

• Strategic retaliation: Hill’s response to the assassination attempt is calculated rather than emotional, focusing on crippling the Dwarves’ ability to continue the war.
• Power and political authority: The Mage Association’s attempt to force an audience with William challenges Salar’s authority, while William’s response establishes that status and strength do not excuse violating local rules.
• Deterrence through overwhelming force: Holmes’s excessive punishment demonstrates how fear and reputation maintain order, even when his methods are disproportionate.
• The consequences of isolation: With trade cut off and underground defenses under pressure, the Dwarves’ dependence on rare resources becomes a major vulnerability.
• Humiliation as a weapon: The Undead turn the Mages’ defeat into lasting ridicule, showing how public embarrassment can be as damaging as physical injury.

Character Interactions

• Hill and Adrian: Adrian confronts Hill about the assassination attempt and urges him to prioritize his safety. Hill reassures him while explaining that he will finish arranging the retaliation first.
• Falan and Adrian: Falan reveals the attack on Hill, while Adrian recounts the incident involving the Mage Association and Holmes.
• Hill, Falan, and Adrian: They collectively discuss Holmes’s use of the Corrosion Law and react with amusement to the Mages’ humiliating outfits.
• Holmes and the visiting Legendaries: Their attempted intrusion provokes Holmes into attacking them with a powerful array, leaving them injured and disgraced.
• William and the Mage Association: William firmly supports Salar’s officials and warns the Association that it must follow local rules or leave.
• Spencer and Holmes: Spencer intervenes to prevent Holmes from escalating the punishment, eventually persuading him to stop.

Chapter Summary: “Messages Travel Far, the Cat’s Revenge”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Adrian, Falan, and Hill discuss Holmes, who has decided to remain in Central City. Holmes is investigating corrosive abilities and has received a list of thousands of possible applications from the Undead. He has warned the royal guards to report anyone causing trouble so he can test his experiments on them.
• Adrian explains that several nobles criticized the park designed by Falan and Hill. In response, he hung them from trees so they could reconsider their “opinions.” The nobles are secretly worried that Adrian’s Mage Tower will gain control of Central City and become its hereditary ruling power.
• Hill offers Adrian magically enhanced seeds that grow nearly a meter overnight. Their blue and purple flowers increase energy and alertness, though prolonged exposure causes excessive excitement.
• Hill reveals that the seeds were developed through repeated use of Natural Blessing combined with water-based divine spells. They absorb underground energy and can spread rapidly, potentially covering areas near the Dwarven mines in vast flower fields.
• The flowers are nearly impossible to destroy except with heat comparable to the Sun God’s Fire. Hill justifies planting them as a way of returning the earth’s stolen resources—especially metal and wood—after the Dwarves’ extensive mining.
• The discussion turns to the Dwarves’ hostility toward Hill. They fear his influence and his connection to the Earth Goddess more than the nearby Undead, because they are pursuing the Earth Divine Office and may ultimately threaten the world’s survival.
• Perfect Baldhead arrives with gifts from Alice, who is still seeking revenge for the attack on Hill. She reports that Black Rose and a group of Magical Beasts plan to act together against the Dwarves.
• Hill assigns them a mission: raid the mines, retrieve already-extracted ore, and plant his special flowers. He offers to buy all recovered ore at market price and gives Perfect Baldhead Water-Storage Pearls and edible aquatic plants as additional payment.

Character Developments

• Adrian continues to act impulsively and cruelly toward arrogant nobles, but he also shows practical political awareness. He understands that ruling a city would require compromise, which is why he currently refuses to invest effort into making the City Lord’s Manor more comfortable for the nobles.
• Falan remains stern and easily exasperated by Adrian, yet he supports the harsh treatment of the nobles and continues teaching Adrian through magical research notes.
• Hill displays increasing ingenuity and a mischievous, ruthless streak. He has developed powerful agricultural and ecological magic and plans to use it against the Dwarves’ mines under the justification of restoring the earth.
• Holmes is characterized as frighteningly methodical and independent. His presence keeps Central City’s troublemakers in check because everyone fears becoming a test subject.
• Perfect Baldhead has matured into a capable warrior. Her appearance and behavior reflect her transformation from a young girl into a hardened fighter, though she remains practical and cheerful when discussing supplies and payment.
• Alice is shown to remain deeply concerned about Hill despite being separated from him. Her desire for revenge strengthens her alliance with Black Rose and the Magical Beasts.

Significant Themes

• Power and political control: The nobles’ fear of Adrian’s influence reveals the constant struggle for authority, while Adrian recognizes that power inevitably requires compromise.
• Consequences of arrogance: The nobles’ criticism and political scheming lead directly to humiliating punishment, reinforcing the idea that those who test powerful figures must accept the results.
• Nature reclaiming what was taken: Hill’s flowers symbolize the earth’s retaliation against the Dwarves’ exploitation of natural resources.
• Innovation as a weapon: Magical research, divine blessings, and engineered plants become tools of warfare and political pressure.
• Loyalty and revenge: Alice’s concern for Hill and the willingness of Black Rose and the Magical Beasts to fight beside him demonstrate the strength of personal bonds.
• Humor amid danger: The characters discuss potentially world-threatening events with sarcasm and absurdity, especially Hill’s justification for overwhelming the Dwarven mines with unstoppable flowers.

Character Interactions

• Adrian’s reckless comments repeatedly irritate Falan, who responds by reprimanding or striking him with a crystal ball.
• Falan and Hill share an understanding of Adrian’s behavior and enjoy the consequences suffered by the arrogant nobles.
• Hill and Adrian collaborate on using the magically enhanced plants against the Dwarves, with Adrian amused and Falan concerned about the destructive implications.
• Perfect Baldhead acts as a messenger between Alice and Hill, delivering Alice’s gifts and concerns.
• Hill establishes a mutually beneficial arrangement with Perfect Baldhead: Black Rose will raid the mines and plant the flowers, while Hill pays for the ore and supplies them with valuable food and water resources.