Chapter Summaries

Chapter Summary: “Guardian (Part 2)”

Key Plot Points and Events

• At a public ceremony, Romon formally accepts responsibility for Prince Maiduai’s appointment as the ruler of Far-Sail Port City. In front of Princess Qian Niya, officials, priests, and the royal envoy, he welcomes the young prince with a ceremonial embrace.
• Maiduai behaves with remarkable composure, thanking Romon and asking the envoy to convey his greetings to the king and the Royal House. His mature bearing strongly reminds those present of his father, Prince Xiusenya.
• After the envoy departs by ship, Maiduai watches until the vessel disappears. Romon realizes how deeply the child longs for his father and chooses not to interrupt his grief.
• Maiduai asks to visit the temple to pray for Xiusenya. He insists on returning to class the following day, demonstrating both discipline and his determination to maintain his responsibilities despite his sorrow. Princess Qian Niya accompanies him to the Temple of the Fountain and River Goddess.
• Fafier and Nick discuss the prince’s difficult situation, agreeing that Maiduai is fortunate to have Romon as his guardian rather than the eldest prince. They recognize that Maiduai must suppress emotions that most children would be allowed to express.
• Warning signals from the Mage Tower interrupt the emotional aftermath. A suspicious fleet of five warships enters Tatshaw Territory’s waters and approaches Far-Sail Port City. The patrol force investigates while the port prepares for a possible attack.
• The fleet is identified as belonging to the Elves. Its representative, the female Elf Aivisi, requests permission to dock and meet Romon. Romon allows only her envoy ship to enter while requiring the remaining vessels to stay offshore.
• Aivisi explains that she represents the Elf Kingdom and seeks Romon’s help in establishing communication with the Aisk Kingdom’s Royal House. She claims the Elves want independence rather than conquest and are attempting to negotiate peace with multiple nations.
• Romon points out that the Elves killed the Aisk heir during the war, making cooperation difficult. Aivisi counters that both sides suffered losses and warns that continued refusal to negotiate could force the Elves to take a harsher stance. Romon postpones his decision until the next day.

Character Developments

• Prince Maiduai: Displays exceptional maturity, courtesy, self-control, and loyalty. Although grieving for his father, he refuses to abandon his studies or public responsibilities. His resemblance to Prince Xiusenya suggests he may grow into a similarly admired and influential figure.
• Romon: Establishes himself as a compassionate and protective guardian. He recognizes Maiduai’s hidden pain, respects his need to grieve privately, and carefully balances hospitality with military caution when dealing with the Elves.
• Princess Qian Niya: Acts as a supportive guardian and emotional companion to Maiduai. She understands his grief and accompanies him to the temple, sharing in the need to mourn away from public scrutiny.
• Fafier and Nick: Show increased emotional awareness and empathy, recognizing the cruelty of forcing a child to maintain political composure. Fafier also begins worrying that Maiduai’s excellence could become a rival influence in his own son’s romantic prospects.
• Aivisi: Presents herself as a diplomatic representative rather than an enemy. She argues for peace and Elf independence but subtly warns that the Elves may become more aggressive if negotiations fail.

Significant Themes

• The burden of leadership: Maiduai must behave like a ruler even while mourning as a child, emphasizing the personal cost of royal duty.
• Grief beneath public appearances: The chapter contrasts Maiduai’s formal composure with his private sorrow and need to pray for his father.
• Guardianship and moral responsibility: Romon and Qian Niya are presented as protectors who prioritize the child’s emotional well-being rather than merely controlling his education or political role.
• Diplomacy after war: Aivisi’s arrival introduces the possibility of peace but also highlights the distrust created by the death of the Aisk heir.
• Caution and preparedness: The Mage Tower, patrol forces, and controlled docking procedures demonstrate the territory’s growing military and magical organization.
• The legacy of Prince Xiusenya: Maiduai’s behavior repeatedly evokes his father, suggesting both the continuation of Xiusenya’s ideals and the possibility that Maiduai will inherit his influence.

Summary of “A Slap (Part 1)”

Key Plot Points and Events

• In the Radiance Lord Temple of Aps City, the archbishop reflects bitterly on the stagnant influence of the Lord of Radiance in the Aisk Kingdom. His ambitions to expand his parish and rise in status have failed, and the Church’s influence may even be declining.
• The Church receives news that Elven envoys have landed at Far-Sail Port without conflict. Bishop Suxim immediately accuses Count Teta Xiao—Romon—of colluding with the Elves, reviving an old grudge against him.
• Although the archbishop recognizes that the Elves are diplomatic envoys and that Romon’s status as a Count, Favored One, and leader of the Druid Guild makes him difficult to attack directly, he orders a priest to demand an explanation. If Romon cannot justify the Elves’ presence, the priest is authorized to seize or kill them.
• At Romon’s villa, Princess Qian Niya explains that the Elven envoy likely signals a coming peace agreement. The Aisk Kingdom’s navy has been devastated, trade has been disrupted, and the kingdom cannot afford another war. She believes the king will accept peace, though she breaks down while discussing her brother’s death and the kingdom’s desperate situation.
• Romon reassures her and discusses his plans to continue developing Blue Soil Island, including reclaiming land, building a port, and constructing a castle.
• A priest from the Radiance Church arrives and arrogantly demands that Romon either explain his contact with the Elves or capture and kill them.
• Romon rejects the demand and cites the Sacred Pact and related laws, which protect envoys—even those representing hostile gods or kingdoms—from humiliation or murder. He argues that the Elves are legally recognized envoys and that older Divine Oracles conflicting with the Sacred Pact are invalid.
• When the priest calls him a sinner and continues insulting him, Romon uses his spiritual force to silence him and then slaps him, knocking out several teeth.
• Romon reminds the priest that he is a Favored One of Isidis and that accusing him of sin without justification could itself constitute blasphemy. He threatens the priest with death if he continues.
• The priest retreats, promising to report Romon’s words and actions to the archbishop. Romon warns him not to distort the account, while Princess Qian Niya expresses shock at his aggressive response.

Character Developments

• Romon: Demonstrates growing confidence, authority, and command of divine and international law. He is no longer willing to tolerate the Radiance Church’s intimidation and openly challenges its power. His slap represents the release of long-suppressed resentment, though he remains aware of the danger posed by the Church and the gods behind it.
• Princess Qian Niya: Shows political maturity by distinguishing personal grief from national interests. Though devastated by her brother’s death and the kingdom’s decline, she understands that peace with the Elves is necessary. Her trust and closeness with Romon continue to grow.
• The Archbishop: Appears frustrated and politically cautious. He wants to strengthen the Radiance Church but recognizes that Romon’s elevated status makes direct action risky. He attempts to pressure Romon indirectly while preserving plausible justification.
• Bishop Suxim: Remains vindictive and obsessed with punishing Romon for escaping judgment in the past. His personal resentment clouds his judgment.
• The Radiance Church Priest: Arrives with institutional arrogance but is quickly humiliated and intimidated by Romon’s legal arguments, magical power, and threat of retaliation.

Significant Themes

• Law versus religious authority: Romon uses the Sacred Pact and Continental Pact to oppose the Church’s attempt to impose an outdated Divine Oracle.
• Changing political order: The destruction of Aisk’s fleets and the arrival of Elven envoys reveal the weakening of human kingdoms and the shifting balance of power.
• Personal resentment and resistance: Romon’s violence is not merely strategic; it is also an emotional response to years of harassment and suppression by the Radiance Church.
• Diplomacy amid devastation: Peace becomes necessary because both the Elves and the human kingdoms have strategic reasons to avoid prolonged war.
• Faith, status, and legitimacy: Romon’s position as a Favored One gives him religious protection and enables him to challenge the Church without immediately being branded or punished as a heretic.

Character Interactions

• The archbishop and Bishop Suxim clash indirectly over how aggressively to handle Romon, with Suxim demanding punishment and the archbishop proceeding more cautiously.
• Princess Qian Niya and Romon share a sympathetic political discussion, with Romon offering support while she mourns her brother and considers the kingdom’s future.
• Romon and the Church priest engage in a confrontation over the Elven envoys. The priest relies on the Church’s authority, while Romon counters with law, divine status, and force.
• Their exchange culminates in Romon slapping the priest, marking an open and humiliating challenge to the Radiance Church.

Chapter Summary: “A Slap (Part Two)”

Key Plot Points and Events

• After the priest retreats humiliated, Princess Qian Niya and Romon discuss the Elven peace initiative. Romon reveals his extensive knowledge of the Sacred Pact, Continental Pact, and Legendary Pact—ancient agreements binding the gods and powerful beings—which makes Qian Niya reassess him.
• Qian Niya agrees to contact the Royal House and seek permission to meet Aivisi, the Elven envoy, again. Romon promises to invite her once approval is granted.
• Romon’s children, Alice and Ruxiji, question him about the beautiful woman who visited with Qian Niya. Worried that Romon may form a relationship with another woman, they are relieved to learn that Aivisi is an Elf and not a potential stepmother.
• Romon explains that Aivisi disguised her pointed ears with powerful illusion magic. The children reveal their prejudice against Elves, based on human propaganda and personal losses caused by Elven attacks.
• After Romon firmly ends their questioning, Alice and Ruxiji retreat to her room. They discuss whether Romon might like Aivisi, conclude that he is more likely to marry Princess Qian Niya, and reaffirm their dislike of the Elves.
• Ruxiji also brings up Prince Maiduai, who was reportedly sent to develop a relationship with Alice because of a possible arranged marriage. Alice rejects the idea, declaring that she wants to become powerful and follow Romon’s path rather than marry Maiduai.
• In Eileen’s study, she and Romon discuss Aivisi’s request. Romon explains that the Elves want to negotiate with the coastal nations and establish peaceful coexistence.
• Eileen, speaking both as Romon’s wife and as a representative of the Goddess of Agriculture’s interests, assures him that she will support whatever decision he makes. She acknowledges that, despite human hatred of the Elves, the matter concerns the kingdom and the gods and should be handled carefully.
• A royal message arrives confirming that the Royal House agrees to negotiate with the Elves. Romon is officially authorized to receive them as envoys, permit their warships to enter the harbor, and allow them to establish an embassy.
• Romon plans to invite Princess Qian Niya to meet Aivisi the next day. He also jokes that, now that the royal document protects him, his slap against the arrogant priest might have been too mild.
• Romon defends his actions by emphasizing that the priest insulted the goddess and called him a sinner. He argues that his knowledge of the ancient pacts made his response legally and spiritually justified.
• The chapter ends with Romon revealing that he now aims not merely to reach the Legendary Realm but potentially to become a deity himself.

Character Developments

• Romon: Demonstrates political intelligence, knowledge of divine laws, and confidence in handling both the Church and the Royal House. He carefully balances personal grudges, political realities, and the possibility of peace. His ambitions expand dramatically as he begins viewing godhood as an attainable goal.
• Princess Qian Niya: Her perception of Romon changes after realizing how deeply he understands secret and powerful agreements. She becomes willing to cooperate with him in arranging negotiations with the Elves.
• Aivisi: Though absent for most of the chapter, she is established as a diplomatic representative seeking peaceful relations between Elves and humans.
• Alice: Shows strong attachment to her father, suspicion of potential romantic rivals, confidence, and admiration for Romon. She rejects the possibility of marrying Maiduai and instead dreams of becoming a powerful Druid.
• Ruxiji: Displays caution, protectiveness toward his sister, and resentment toward the Royal House and Elves. He is more restrained than Alice but shares her concern about Romon’s relationships.
• Eileen: Acts as a calm and supportive partner. She balances personal human prejudice with political and religious judgment, assuring Romon that both she and the Goddess of Agriculture support him.
• Maiduai: Though not present, he is portrayed as a tragic and politically motivated figure whose possible connection to Alice irritates Ruxiji.

Significant Themes

• Peace versus inherited hatred: Humans have been taught to fear and hate Elves, and many have suffered from Elven attacks, yet political and divine circumstances may require reconciliation.
• Power and hidden knowledge: Understanding ancient pacts gives Romon influence and protects him from religious accusations. Knowledge functions as a form of power reserved for the highest levels of society.
• Family loyalty and possessiveness: Alice and Ruxiji’s anxiety about Romon marrying another woman reveals their desire to preserve their family’s emotional security.
• Political pragmatism: Even kings and powerful figures must sometimes suppress personal grief and hatred to pursue broader political goals.
• Law, faith, and authority: Romon’s confrontation with the priest reflects tensions between institutional religious authority and divine law, especially because Romon is favored by the Goddess of Agriculture.
• Ambition and transcendence: Romon’s thoughts move beyond earthly status. His observation that mortals can become gods leads him to consider divinity as his ultimate destination.

Important Character Interactions

• Romon and Princess Qian Niya: They establish a diplomatic partnership centered on arranging contact between the Royal House and the Elven envoy.
• Romon and Alice/Ruxiji: Their questioning reveals the children’s insecurity and prejudice, while Romon acts as both affectionate father and authoritative head of the household.
• Alice and Ruxiji: The siblings share their worries about Aivisi, discuss their feelings toward Elves, and bond over their loyalty to Romon.
• Romon and Eileen: Their conversation shows deep marital trust and political cooperation. Eileen reassures Romon while helping him interpret the Goddess of Agriculture’s position.
• Romon and the priest: Though the priest has already left, their earlier confrontation continues to shape the chapter. The official royal approval validates Romon’s actions and strengthens his confidence.

After Romon invoked the sacred pact and Isidis’s favor to rebuke a Radiance priest, the archbishop ordered a military campaign against the Tatshaw Territory despite suspecting Romon was legally protected. The Holy Sword Knights began assembling, leaving Xiufei to fear that victory or defeat could bring punishment, while the delayed march gave Romon a chance to apologize.

• Bishop Suxim reported that Romon had slapped Priest Xiufei, and Xiufei repeated Romon’s claims about the sacred pact and his status as Isidis’s Favored One.
• The archbishop ordered Bishop Suxim to mobilize the diocese’s armed forces and march against the Tatshaw Territory, refusing to seek confirmation or reinforcements.
• Bishop Suxim accepted the order, and Xiufei agreed to join the campaign after realizing refusal could cost him his life.
• The archbishop reflected that the sacred pact constrained the Lord of Radiance after the allied army’s defeat and the elves’ victory, then angrily swept documents from his desk.
• Bishop Suxim assembled thirty Holy Sword Knights’ cavalrymen, while Xiufei feared the troops would be punished regardless of the battle’s outcome.
• The archbishop scheduled the march for noon the next day, giving Romon time to hear of the campaign and come apologize.

Romon arranged for Princess Qian Niya and Miss Aivisi to meet as the Royal House prepared to receive the Elven envoys. After the Radiance Church mobilized the Holy Sword Knights to attack his territory, Romon ordered his forces to prepare for war and refused to submit to the Church’s demands.

• Princess Qian Niya received Romon's invitation, learned that the Royal House would receive the Elven envoys, and sent back confirmation that she would attend the banquet.
• Romon told Miss Aivisi that the king had agreed to receive her fleet and arranged for her to meet Princess Qian Niya at his residence the next morning.
• A guard informed Romon that the Radiance Church had ordered the Holy Sword Knights to attack his territory with about six hundred men the next day.
• Romon ordered an emergency meeting and mobilized the Knight Order and City Defense Army as Eileen offered to seek mediation through the Church.
• Romon told Eileen he would not accept public humiliation and prepared to resist the Church's attack with his forces, magic, and summoned dragons.

Chapter Summary: “War (Part 1)”

Key Plot Points and Events

• News spreads through Aps City that the Radiance Church intends to launch a campaign against Tatshaw Territory. The conflict stems from Romon sheltering Elves and allegedly striking a Radiance priest.
• Romon convenes Tatshaw’s leading officials and asks them to vote on whether they will follow him into war. Nick and Fafier support him immediately; the rest eventually agree.
• He orders the territory’s army to be fully prepared before dawn, with battle assignments already arranged.
• Romon then consults the Druid Guild’s Inner Circle. He argues that the Sacred, Legendary, and Continental Pacts restrict the Radiance Church from escalating the conflict with outside dioceses or high-level church officials. Violating these covenants would bring severe divine consequences.
• The Druid Guild votes eight in favor, four against, and three abstentions, officially committing itself to the war.
• Romon plans to begin with a lawful challenge: as lord, he will forbid the Radiance Church from sending more than one hundred cavalry into his territory. If they enter anyway, he will declare them invaders and order their deaths.
• Romon reveals that he has reached Level Nineteen and predicts that he will enter the Legendary Realm within three years. This shocks the Archdruids, who recognize the extraordinary speed of his advancement.
• Later, Romon reflects on the danger of opposing both the Radiance Church and potentially the Ice and Snow God, whose descendant and agent—the Ice and Snow Sage—has died at Romon’s hands.
• Eileen reports that the Goddess of Agriculture’s Church attempted to intervene but could not prevent the Radiance Church from demanding Romon’s public submission and punishment. However, it promises to restrain further retaliation if Romon wins.
• Despite the approaching war and political tension, Romon and Eileen reaffirm their relationship and spend the night together.

Character Developments

• Romon becomes increasingly decisive and confrontational. Rather than submit to the Radiance Church, he uses legal and religious covenants to justify resistance and prepares to fight.
• He demonstrates growing confidence by revealing his Level Nineteen strength and declaring his intention to reach the Legendary Realm within three years.
• At the same time, Romon recognizes the larger dangers surrounding him. He worries about divine retaliation, the Ice and Snow God, and the difficulty of eventually gathering enough believers to establish Divine Authority.
• The territorial leaders display loyalty by voting to support Romon, though their initial hesitation shows awareness of the immense risks.
• The Druid Guild’s elders are divided, but a majority ultimately backs Romon. He quietly remembers both his supporters and opponents, suggesting future political consequences.
• Eileen is shown as a devoted wife and a committed bishop who has exhausted her influence to help Romon. Her inability to secure direct church support causes her guilt, but Romon reassures her and acknowledges her efforts.

Significant Themes

• Resistance against religious authority: Romon refuses to submit to the Radiance Church, arguing that divine treaties and lawful rights protect his actions.
• Political legitimacy and legal warfare: The coming conflict is framed not merely as military aggression but as a dispute over treaties, territorial sovereignty, and the definition of invasion.
• Power and ambition: Romon’s rapid advancement and plans to enter the Legendary Realm reveal his extraordinary potential, but also increase the scale of the enemies he attracts.
• Faith and divine politics: Churches and gods are powerful political forces, yet their actions are constrained by covenants and competing interests.
• The cost of defiance: Romon understands that victory over the Radiance Church may still provoke future covert retaliation and divine hostility.
• Love amid crisis: The intimate scene between Romon and Eileen contrasts with the mobilization outside, emphasizing their personal bond amid impending war.

Character Interactions

• Romon directly challenges his territorial officials to commit themselves to war, gaining unanimous support.
• He addresses the Druid elders with calculated confidence, persuading them through legal arguments and startling them with his progress toward Legendary power.
• His relationship with Eileen combines political partnership, emotional trust, and marital affection. She apologizes for being unable to do more, while he reassures her that her efforts have been valuable.
• Romon’s interactions with the Druid Guild also reveal a colder political side: although he thanks the elders publicly, he privately keeps track of those who opposed him for possible future reckoning.

Romon led the Tatshaw Territory army against the Radiance Church’s force in a brutal battle on the rain-soaked plain. The Church’s army was defeated, and Romon ordered his soldiers to kill every surviving enemy as the battle ended.

• Romon marched from Far-Sail Port with more than 1,500 troops, including cavalry, infantry, Druids, mages, and healers.
• The Radiance Church’s six hundred knights and priests met Romon’s army on the plain and charged beneath a hymn and holy light.
• Romon summoned a Brass Elder Dragon and four Great Dragon projections, then ordered his troops to attack as dragons and spellcasters battered the Church’s charge.
• Fafier, Vavik, Shabide, and Kaikuanxi surrounded and killed the commander of the Holy Sword Knights after Romon’s forces weakened him with spells.
• Romon ordered his soldiers to leave no enemy alive, and they finished off the wounded Church soldiers while treating their own.

Chapter Summary: Journey to the Capital (Part 1)

Key Plot Points and Events

• Romon’s forces defeat the Radiance Church, killing roughly six hundred soldiers and capturing the archbishop.
• The archbishop warns Romon that his victory will eventually destroy him, but Romon rejects prophecy and insists that enemies must be dealt with decisively. He personally beheads the archbishop.
• To protect his wounded soldiers from the cold rain, Romon requisitions nearby villages and orders them to provide shelter and supplies.
• He commands that the church’s dead be treated respectfully: their bodies are washed, dressed in hempen clothing, and returned with their weapons so the Radiance Church has no excuse to accuse his forces of desecration.
• Despite having just led a brutal battle, Romon attends a formal banquet in Far-Sail Port City and appears calm, clean, and composed.
• Princess Qian Niya arrives at Romon’s estate and meets Aivisi, an open Elven envoy from the Hainlu Kingdom.
• Aivisi immediately states that she wishes to negotiate with the Aisk Kingdom’s Royal House. Qian Niya agrees to arrange an audience with her father, and the two decide to depart for the capital the following day.
• After the meeting, Aivisi leaves, followed by Princess Qian Niya.

Character Developments

• Romon: Demonstrates ruthless decisiveness in battle but also practical concern for his wounded soldiers and respect for the enemy dead. His relationship with the Elves has cooled because Aivisi’s actions previously caused him trouble. He reveals that he has reached the nineteenth level and is confidently pursuing the Legendary Realm, believing he will soon become a legendary figure.
• Archbishop: Remains calm and prophetic until Romon executes him, emphasizing the growing conflict between Romon and the Radiance Church.
• Aivisi: Acts directly and pragmatically as a diplomatic envoy, setting aside personal and historical tensions to pursue negotiations. She is grateful to Romon but is hurt by his emotional distance.
• Princess Qian Niya: Initially reacts with concealed displeasure to Aivisi’s beauty and presence, reflecting the hostility between humans and Elves. Nevertheless, she puts national interests above personal hatred and agrees to facilitate the negotiations. Her conversation with Romon also reveals her emotional distance from the Royal House and her awareness of its hardships.

Significant Themes

• Political and religious conflict: Romon’s execution of the archbishop marks a major escalation in his confrontation with the Radiance Church.
• Pragmatism over emotion: Both Romon and Qian Niya justify difficult choices as necessary for their lord or nation, even when personal feelings point in another direction.
• Power and reputation: Romon’s victory is intended not only to defeat the church but also to warn others that he is no longer weak or easily manipulated.
• The cost of advancement: Romon acknowledges that success demands a price, yet he accepts the casualties and political consequences in order to continue progressing.
• Diplomacy amid historical hatred: The proposed human-Elven talks show nations attempting cooperation despite longstanding hostility.
• Public image versus private reality: Romon appears elegant and peaceful at the banquet shortly after a massacre, while Qian Niya’s royal composure conceals the emotional burdens of her family and position.

Important Character Interactions

• Romon and the archbishop: Their final exchange contrasts the archbishop’s faith in prophecy with Romon’s belief in decisive action; Romon ends the conversation by executing him.
• Qian Niya and Aivisi: Their polite exchange is strained by mutual awareness of human-Elven hatred and a subtle rivalry triggered by their beauty and connection to Romon.
• Romon and Aivisi: Aivisi thanks him, but Romon responds coldly, insisting that his actions serve only his lord and kingdom rather than personal bonds.
• Romon and Qian Niya: They discuss the battle, its cost, the forthcoming diplomatic mission, and Romon’s nineteenth-level advancement. Qian Niya gains new respect for his strength, while Romon gains a deeper appreciation of her political maturity and endurance.

Chapter Summary: “Journey to the Capital (Part 2)”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Eileen warns Romon that Archbishop Kairet of the Radiance Church has arrived and that religious fanatics may provoke trouble, even if the Church’s leaders prefer restraint.
• Romon decides to leave immediately by escorting Princess Qian Niya and the Elven envoys to the Royal Capital, using the journey as a way to avoid escalating tensions.
• Romon, Qian Niya, Aivisi, and the delegation travel aboard Romon’s personal warship and reach the capital after several days.
• Qian Niya returns to the Royal Palace to explain both the Elven diplomatic mission and Romon’s involvement to her father, the old king of Aisk.
• The king agrees to meet Aivisi. Romon is not invited into the palace audience, recognizing that the Royal House must avoid appearing to openly favor him while tensions with the Radiance Church remain high.
• Romon bids farewell to Aivisi and Qian Niya, then returns to the inn to await the outcome. He reflects on whether the king will choose peace negotiations or war, especially since the Elves killed the king’s beloved son, Crown Prince Xiusenya.
• Meanwhile, on Hope Island, Elven elders discuss the peace initiative. Although some doubt that humans will overcome their anger, they acknowledge that the negotiations are being carried out under the command of the Elven god Anion.
• The Elves have sent nine diplomatic groups to contact the nine remaining coastal human kingdoms, after conquering Delanya. If peaceful negotiations fail, the elders are prepared to resume military action.
• Aivisi’s experience living among humans makes her especially suitable for negotiating with Aisk. In another kingdom, Tongkdan, a group of six Elven envoys arrives at the Royal Palace, attracting attention as the Elves make their first major diplomatic appearance on the continent.

Character Developments

• Romon: Shows political awareness and restraint. He understands that his recent actions have made him a sensitive figure and deliberately avoids forcing his way into the king’s audience. He remains concerned about the wider consequences of the negotiations and recognizes that advancing to the Legendary Realm is essential for surviving the current political crisis.
• Eileen: Demonstrates loyalty and concern for Romon, warning him about possible attacks from religious extremists. Her conversation with him reveals mutual trust and affection.
• Princess Qian Niya: Acts as an intermediary between Romon, the Elven delegation, and the Aisk Royal House. She successfully secures the king’s willingness to meet Aivisi.
• Aivisi: Takes on a dangerous diplomatic role because of her past experience with humans and her connection to Aisk. She earns Romon’s respect and gratitude while preparing to determine whether peace is possible.
• The old king of Aisk: Is placed in a painful position. He must choose between peace, which would benefit the kingdom, and revenge against the Elves for killing his son.
• Elder Dake and the Elven elders: Reveal uncertainty about the peace mission but remain bound to Anion’s will. Their discussion shows that Elven unity is partly based on religious obedience rather than complete agreement.

Significant Themes

• Reason versus emotion: The future of human-Elven relations depends not only on political logic but also on grief, anger, and revenge.
• Faith and divine authority: Anion’s command overrides the elders’ personal doubts, emphasizing the power of religion in shaping political and military decisions.
• Diplomacy versus war: The Elves present negotiations as a genuine possibility, but their willingness to use force remains clear if human kingdoms reject them.
• Political restraint: Romon understands that appearances and timing matter. Even cooperation with the Royal House could provoke the Radiance Church if handled too openly.
• Uncertainty and fragile peace: Both humans and Elves approach the negotiations without confidence that old grievances can be overcome.
• Power and survival: Romon’s desire to reach the Legendary Realm reflects the dangerous connection between personal strength and political security.

Character Interactions

• Romon and Eileen: Eileen warns him about the Church, while Romon reassures her and comforts her physically, reinforcing their close relationship.
• Romon and Aivisi: He escorts her to the palace, offers cautious advice, and expresses concern for her safety. Aivisi thanks him sincerely for his support.
• Romon and Qian Niya: They coordinate their roles in the diplomatic mission. Romon trusts her to handle matters inside the palace and plans to return with her to Tatshaw Territory once the crisis is settled.
• Elven elders: Their debate exposes differing opinions about human motives, the role of emotion, and the likelihood of successful negotiations. Despite their doubts, they agree to follow Anion’s command.
• Humans and Elves: The arrival of the Elven envoys at Tongkdan represents the first formal diplomatic contact after years of conflict, creating both fascination and apprehension among the humans.

War and Peace (Part 1) — Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Six Elven envoys arrive at the Tongkdan Kingdom to negotiate peace and secure recognition for an independent Elven kingdom.
• The Elves promise not to invade the continent and offer a century-long peace alliance, swearing an oath in the name of their newly ascended god, Anion.
• The Tongkdan king and his ministers, already aware that their weakened kingdom cannot afford another war, receive the proposal cautiously but favorably. No agreement is finalized, but the talks make meaningful progress.
• The Elves’ nine diplomatic missions contact human royal houses and major Churches, offering peaceful coexistence and alliances.
• Most missions achieve initial success, but a delegation encountering the hostile Radiance Church is massacred, intensifying the Elves’ anger.
• Meanwhile, several Orc tribes secretly gather near Tayumo City, planning a surprise attack. Their leaders agree to divide the city and its spoils among the tribes while using the massacre to gain battle merits and offer human blood as sacrifice to their god.
• The Orcs approach Tayumo City at night and exploit the city’s relaxed, poorly maintained defenses. After being detected, they launch a sudden assault.
• Despite arrows and defensive efforts, the Orcs break through the gates within ten minutes and overrun the city.
• The Orc tribes divide Tayumo City into territories and slaughter nearly its entire population, with only a few survivors escaping.
• News of the massacre spreads rapidly, shocking the continent and creating widespread fear that the region is entering another period of large-scale turmoil.

Character Developments

• The lead Elven envoy demonstrates diplomacy, confidence, and restraint. He presents the Elves as sincere but not weak, offering verifiable guarantees rather than demanding submission.
• The Tongkdan king is portrayed as a cautious, mediocre but responsible ruler. He recognizes that continued war could destroy his already declining kingdom and therefore leans toward negotiation.
• The Tongkdan ministers reflect the kingdom’s pragmatic concerns. The Foreign Minister investigates the peace proposal, while the Military Minister remains suspicious of the Elves’ intentions.
• Ashan, an Orc leader, emerges as a cunning and organized commander. He carefully plans the attack, manages rival tribes, and coordinates the assault once their approach is discovered.
• Boteibo and the other Orc chiefs are motivated by greed, tribal rivalry, religious devotion, and the desire for military glory. Their cooperation is practical rather than harmonious.

Significant Themes

• The contrast between diplomacy and brutality: The Elves attempt to gain security through treaties and religious oaths, while the Orcs pursue expansion and sacrifice through massacre.
• Political decline and vulnerability: The Tongkdan Kingdom’s weakness and Tayumo City’s complacent defenses show how weakened states become vulnerable to external threats.
• The cycle of war and instability: Even as the Elves seek peace, their diplomacy is overshadowed by the Radiance Church’s violence and the Orc invasion.
• Religious conflict: Both the Elves and Orcs invoke their gods—one to guarantee peace, the other to justify blood sacrifice—demonstrating how religion can support either coexistence or violence.
• The collapse of security: Years without major attacks have made Tayumo’s defenders careless, emphasizing how peace can produce complacency when danger returns.
• A continent entering broader turmoil: The Elves’ rise, the Church’s hostility, and the Orcs’ attack suggest that the continent is moving toward a larger and more unpredictable conflict.

Character Interactions

• The Elven envoys maintain a respectful, formal exchange with the king and ministers, using courtesy and confidence to lower tensions.
• The Foreign Minister questions the Elves’ intentions, while the Military Minister challenges their sincerity, prompting the Elves to offer a divine oath.
• Elven diplomatic progress is sharply contrasted with their violent encounter with the Radiance Church, revealing the irreconcilable hostility between the two sides.
• Ashan negotiates with Boteibo and the other Orc chiefs over how to divide Tayumo City’s wealth and territory, securing their cooperation through practical arrangements.
• The Orc leaders encourage one another’s bloodlust and religious zeal, turning the planned raid into a coordinated act of mass slaughter.

Chapter Summary

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• An intense spell of autumn heat grips the Aisk Kingdom’s Royal Capital, driving ordinary people indoors while nobles gather in luxurious shops near the Royal Palace, where ice and chilled drinks provide relief.
• The elderly king of Aisk walks through the Imperial Garden with his ministers and reflects bitterly on the possibility of peace with the Elves. His resentment is intensified by the death of his most valued son during the conflict.
• Although the king distrusts the Elves, he recognizes that the continent’s worsening situation leaves Aisk with few alternatives. The Feisi Kingdom has disrupted the central regions, the Orcs have invaded from the Gula Plateau, and the Human Allied Forces were destroyed by the Elves.
• The ministers advise the king not to commit immediately, but to observe the decisions of other kingdoms first. He agrees and orders them to monitor foreign developments while treating the Elven envoys respectfully.
• Princess Qian Niya spends the day accompanying the Elven envoy Aivisi around the capital. They eventually return to the Elven embassy, where Qian Niya learns that Romon is away visiting a library.
• After Qian Niya leaves, Aivisi reflects on the king’s hesitation, the broader diplomatic situation, and Romon’s immense influence. She concludes that neither the Elves nor the Royal House is likely to win him over easily.

2. Character Developments

• The King of Aisk: Revealed as powerful but emotionally wounded and conflicted. He personally dislikes the Elves because of his son’s death, yet understands that political and military realities may force him to pursue peace.
• The Ministers: They act cautiously, avoiding direct confrontation with the grieving king while emphasizing the dangers facing humanity and the necessity of strategic patience.
• Princess Qian Niya: Demonstrates diplomatic discipline by accompanying Aivisi despite her personal distrust of the Elves. Her melancholy and discomfort reveal both her loyalty to the Royal House and her complicated feelings regarding Romon.
• Aivisi: Shows intelligence, patience, and a sophisticated understanding of human politics and history. She recognizes that the king’s refusal to meet her reflects hesitation rather than outright hostility.
• Romon: Though absent from the chapter, he is portrayed as an exceptionally powerful and independent figure: a Count, leader of the Druid Guild, a nineteenth-level powerhouse, and someone whose actions have influenced entire regions. Both the Elves and Aisk appear interested in securing his allegiance.

3. Significant Themes

• Peace versus resentment: Political peace is possible even when personal grief and hatred remain unresolved.
• Pragmatism in wartime: Aisk’s leaders must consider alliances because the continent is threatened by the Feisi Kingdom, Orcs, and the Elves.
• Diplomacy and appearances: The Royal House treats the Elven envoys courteously despite deep distrust, showing how diplomacy requires controlled behavior and surface-level respect.
• Power and independence: Romon’s influence makes him valuable to major powers, but his strength and temperament also make him difficult to control or recruit.
• Personal feelings versus national duty: Qian Niya suppresses her dislike of the Elves to serve the interests of the Royal House, while the king struggles to place political necessity above his grief.

4. Character Interactions

• The king and his ministers: The king presses them for advice about peace with the Elves. They cautiously explain that humanity’s military and political situation leaves few alternatives, eventually persuading him to wait and observe other kingdoms.
• Qian Niya and Aivisi: Their conversation is polite and mutually complimentary, but underlying tension remains. Aivisi admires Qian Niya’s knowledge, while Qian Niya is impressed—and unsettled—by Aivisi’s familiarity with human culture.
• Qian Niya and the Royal House: Her forced companionship with Aivisi reflects her father’s use of her as a diplomatic intermediary. Her actions show obedience to royal interests despite personal discomfort.
• Aivisi and Romon: Although they do not meet in the chapter, Aivisi reflects on Romon’s rise and concludes that his power, status, and independence make him nearly impossible for the Elves to recruit.
• Aivisi and Qian Niya’s relationship to Romon: Aivisi notices Qian Niya’s apparent affection for Romon and doubts that Romon would ever willingly become subordinate to the Royal House.

Chapter Summary: “Agreement (Part 1)”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Three of the nine coastal human kingdoms sign peace agreements with the Elves, encouraging the Elves and weakening opposition to the negotiations.
• In the Grand Temple, the Great Elder reports the situation to Anion. Anion approves the progress but orders the Elves to use force against any kingdoms that continue to refuse submission.
• The Great Elder chooses to prioritize further peaceful negotiations but simultaneously orders the Elf navy to continue preparing for war.
• The Aisk Kingdom struggles with the decision. Its king hates the Elves because they killed his son, Prince Xiusenya, and destroyed the kingdom’s Third and Fourth Fleets. However, he recognizes that Aisk lacks the military strength to continue fighting.
• After learning that three kingdoms have signed agreements, the Aisk king decides to negotiate peace. He instructs his foreign minister to conceal Aisk’s intentions so the kingdom can obtain better terms.
• Within half a month, five more kingdoms—including Aisk—sign peace agreements. Eight of the nine coastal kingdoms are now at peace with the Elves.
• The Haipute Kingdom, protected by the Sea God, remains the sole holdout. It executes every Elf envoy and refuses all negotiations.
• The Elves announce that the fleets and merchants of the eight allied kingdoms may travel freely, while Haipute ships will be attacked without exception.
• Haipute responds defiantly, claiming that the Sea God’s power will prevent the Elves from gaining control of the sea, setting the stage for renewed naval conflict.

Character Developments

• Anion is portrayed as increasingly forceful and uncompromising. Though the stated goal is peace, he is willing to use military coercion against resistant kingdoms.
• The Great Elder demonstrates political caution and strategic loyalty. He supports peaceful agreements but recognizes the need for military preparations and follows Anion’s orders without question.
• The Aisk king undergoes the chapter’s main emotional conflict. Grieving and enraged over Xiusenya’s death, he nevertheless places the survival of his kingdom above personal revenge and ultimately accepts peace.
• The Aisk foreign minister acts as a practical court official, carefully navigating royal authority and preparing to negotiate from a position of calculated secrecy.
• Romon begins analyzing the larger religious and strategic meaning of Haipute’s resistance, suspecting that the conflict involves more than ordinary politics.

Significant Themes

• Pragmatism versus emotion: The Aisk king must choose between avenging his son and protecting his kingdom, ultimately prioritizing political survival.
• Peace backed by force: The Elves present their agreements as peace treaties, but their diplomacy is supported by threats, naval preparation, and the promise of military action.
• Divine influence over mortal politics: Anion directly guides Elf policy, while Haipute’s resistance is based on the Sea God’s protection, turning the dispute into a struggle between opposing divine powers.
• Political momentum and alliance pressure: Once several kingdoms sign, the remaining states are pressured to follow, showing how diplomatic decisions can rapidly reshape regional power.
• The cost of leadership: Both Anion and the Aisk king make decisions that sacrifice individual or emotional interests for broader political objectives.

Character Interactions

• Anion communicates with the Great Elder through the God Statue, granting divine instructions and reinforcing the Elves’ alignment with their gods.
• The Great Elder consults with the other Elf elders, balancing the desire for voluntary agreements with preparations for war.
• The Aisk foreign minister respectfully approaches the king and reports the new treaties, prompting the king to make his decision.
• The king warns the foreign minister not to reveal Aisk’s willingness to negotiate, emphasizing the importance of securing favorable terms.
• The Aisk king privately mourns and apologizes to his dead son, revealing the personal cost behind his public decision.
• Romon reflects on the conflict between the Elves and Haipute, interpreting the Sea God’s involvement as evidence of deeper strategic and religious stakes.

Summary of “Agreement (Part Two)”

Key Plot Points and Events

• A Patrol Unit stops a merchant ship at sea to inspect it. The captain insists that, according to the Sea God’s law, all stowaways must be thrown into the sea as sacrifices.
• Inspectors discover suspicious sounds in a warehouse. The captain notices that the warehouse is narrower inside than outside and orders the wall broken open.
• A hidden compartment is revealed, containing a young Elf man, a young Elf woman, and several companions. They explain that they have infiltrated the Sea God’s kingdom to reach the coast of the Hapte Kingdom and contact an organization working to establish a new system.
• The inspectors react with panic, especially because a woman is aboard the ship—a violation of the Sea God’s religious rules. When the captain orders the woman killed, the Elves reveal their identities and attack.
• The male Elf uses deadly swordsmanship, while the female Elf demonstrates powerful magic by casting Magic Missiles. The inspection team and sailors are quickly slaughtered, and the survivors flee.
• Several days later, merchant convoys from the Aisk Kingdom travel along a newly reopened route. Sailors discuss the peace created by agreements between the Elves and eight of the nine coastal kingdoms.
• They note that the Sea God’s kingdom remains the only coastal kingdom that has not signed an agreement with the Elves. The sailors express relief at the return of peaceful trade and fear another war.
• The chapter ends when the convoy spots a Sea God merchant ship drifting strangely ahead, prompting the sailors to report the danger to their captain.

Character Developments

• The Patrol Unit captain is shown as a fanatical enforcer of Sea God law. His confidence collapses when faced with the Elves’ superior combat abilities, and he is ultimately killed.
• The first mate appears conflicted about executing stowaways and tries to avoid the punishment, but he is powerless against the captain’s authority. He later attempts to raise the alarm when the Elves attack.
• The female Elf is revealed to be both composed and magically powerful. She remains focused on the larger mission of gathering intelligence and contacting allies, even while confronting the inspectors.
• The male Elf acts decisively and aggressively, initiating the slaughter once their identities are exposed. His skill with a sword emphasizes the military threat posed by the Elves.
• The sailors and merchants reflect ordinary people’s desire for stability. Their conversations show that peace and functioning trade routes matter more to them than political or religious loyalties.

Significant Themes

• Religious fanaticism and oppressive law: The Sea God’s laws are treated as sacred even when they demand cruelty, such as sacrificing stowaways and banning women from ships.
• Conflict between tradition and change: The Elves represent a new political order, while the Sea God’s kingdom clings to rigid customs and isolation.
• The cost of peace and war: The reopened trade routes bring prosperity and employment, demonstrating how ordinary people suffer when wars disrupt commerce.
• Fear of the unknown: The inspectors’ terror at seeing Elves and the woman aboard the ship shows how deeply prejudice and superstition control them.
• Political isolation: The Sea God kingdom’s refusal to sign an agreement sets it apart from the other coastal kingdoms and suggests that further conflict may be imminent.

Character Interactions

• The first mate and Patrol Unit captain argue over whether stowaways should be executed, highlighting the tension between compassion and fanatic obedience.
• The female Elf and Mr. Senbi discuss their mission, revealing that the infiltration is part of a broader political effort rather than a random escape.
• The inspection team and the Elves clash when the captain orders the female Elf killed. The confrontation escalates immediately into violence after the Elves reveal themselves.
• The sailors aboard the later merchant convoy discuss the Elven agreements, contrasting the ordinary workers’ wish for peace with the Sea God kingdom’s continued defiance.
• The final sighting of the drifting Sea God ship creates a new mystery and foreshadows another confrontation.

Summary of “Trade (Part 1)”

Key Plot Points and Events

• The ship Mary encounters another vessel sailing alongside it, but the second ship appears deserted. After boarding, the crew discovers that everyone aboard has been killed within the past day.
• The ship’s cargo hold is filled with valuable goods, while its supplies, personal belongings, jewelry, money, and equipment remain untouched. This rules out piracy as the cause of death.
• Instead of reporting the mysterious deaths, the captain decides to exploit the situation. He orders his crew to conceal the incident, take the abandoned ship and its cargo, and sell everything at Far-Sail Port so they can become wealthy.
• The chapter then shifts to Far-Sail Port, which has become prosperous again after its shipping route reopened. Peace agreements between the human kingdoms and the Elves have restored trade, employment, and optimism among the local population.
• Officials Fafier and Nick visit the docks to inspect security and review trade records. They emphasize that increased merchant traffic requires careful oversight, while Fafier promises additional guards and support from the Mage Tower.
• Nick, whose long-term illness has largely been cured, appears healthier and more confident. He and Fafier inspect a shipment containing finely crafted goods that resemble Elven products.
• The dock supervisor panics, assuming Elven goods may be forbidden, but Fafier explains that the alliance between the Aisk Kingdom and the Elves makes peaceful trade acceptable. Nick decides the small shipment is not worth further concern.
• After the officials leave, dockworkers admire their status but remind one another to focus on their own work. The port continues operating energetically and peacefully.

Character Developments

• The Mary’s captain is shown to be opportunistic and morally corrupt. Rather than investigate or report the deaths, he prioritizes personal enrichment and orders his crew to conceal the discovery.
• The first mate initially fears the abandoned ship may be haunted, but becomes calmer once he realizes the deaths have a mundane, if mysterious, cause. He readily participates in the captain’s plan.
• Nick has undergone major physical and personal improvement. His childhood illness is nearly cured, he has become a father, and he now appears energetic, composed, and politically responsible.
• Fafier demonstrates authority and administrative competence. He is serious about security but knows how to reassure subordinates and soften his instructions.
• The dock supervisor is diligent but anxious around powerful officials. His nervousness reflects the strict hierarchy between local workers and noble authorities.
• The laborers are optimistic about the restored trade route and represent ordinary people benefiting from peace and economic recovery.

Significant Themes

• Greed and moral corruption: The captain’s decision to steal from a ship full of corpses shows how quickly the promise of wealth can override morality.
• Mystery and danger: The unexplained deaths aboard the abandoned ship create an ominous unresolved threat, especially because the victims were not robbed and their ship showed no obvious signs of attack.
• Peace enabling prosperity: The reopening of trade routes and alliance with the Elves revive Far-Sail Port, restore jobs, and improve people’s hopes for marriage and financial security.
• Changing relations between humans and Elves: Elven goods, once potentially suspicious or forbidden, can now enter human markets because of the new peace agreement.
• Social hierarchy and responsibility: The contrast between laborers, dock officials, and noble administrators highlights differences in status, while also showing that every group contributes to the functioning of the port.
• Order versus hidden disorder: Far-Sail Port appears lively and well-regulated, but the stolen ship and its unexplained deaths suggest that serious dangers may exist beneath the surface of the renewed prosperity.

Important Character Interactions

• The captain and first mate cooperate in hiding the deaths and taking the abandoned ship’s cargo, revealing a shared willingness to profit from tragedy.
• Fafier and Nick work together as trusted officials. Fafier focuses on security, while Nick examines trade and administrative records.
• The dock supervisor responds nervously to both officials, especially when Elven goods are discovered. Fafier reassures him, while Nick calmly prevents unnecessary confiscation.
• Nick and Fafier’s discussion of the goods reflects their cautious but increasingly accepting attitude toward commerce with the Elves.
• The dockworkers’ conversation presents ordinary admiration for the two officials while emphasizing the widening gap between common laborers and powerful leaders.

Chapter Summary: “Trade (Part 2)”

Key Plot Points and Events

• In October, Romon remains in a hotel suite, studying the Ice and Snow Sage’s magical knowledge and the structure of the Demiplane.
• He realizes he must alter the Demiplane’s nature within two months. The Sage’s expected worship on Winter Chill Day could make his continued absence suspicious, and Romon wants the Demiplane to become harder for powerful beings to detect.
• Romon calculates that his spatial ability may upgrade by the following spring, allowing him to reach the Twentieth Level. He believes that reaching the Legendary Realm and gaining Holy Power will make transforming the Demiplane far easier.
• He reflects on missed opportunities, especially the Elven Palace’s Virtual Godhood and the Mist Plane, which might have helped him acquire Divinity and eventually establish a faith.
• Romon returns to the Demiplane through a portal. He modifies its core so that it gradually absorbs all elemental, light, and dark energies instead of relying solely on cold energy.
• He places the Demiplane into an invisible state to protect it from detection.
• Romon gathers Fourth- and Fifth-Level spell materials and books from the Demiplane, intending to supply his Mage Tower while concealing the existence of its higher-level resources.
• He returns to his territory’s Mage Tower and gives the materials to Debiru, who is delighted because the Mages’ Guild has restricted his access to advanced spell knowledge.

Character Developments

• Romon becomes more strategic and cautious, planning several years ahead to secure the Demiplane, reach the Legendary Realm, and eventually pursue Divinity.
• His reflections reveal growing regret over past decisions, particularly failing to recognize the importance of Virtual Godhood and leaving the Mist Plane too quickly.
• He continues balancing secrecy with practical leadership, sharing useful magical resources while hiding the Demiplane’s true wealth and capabilities.
• Debiru is shown as a loyal and ambitious mage whose progress has been limited by a shortage of spell materials. Romon’s gift renews his enthusiasm and strengthens his connection to the territory.

Significant Themes

• Preparation and long-term ambition: Romon patiently lays the groundwork for Legendary advancement, Demiplane transformation, and eventual godhood.
• Secrecy and survival: The Demiplane’s invisibility and controlled energy changes reflect Romon’s need to evade gods, churches, and other powerful entities.
• Missed opportunities and regret: Romon recognizes that he previously undervalued Virtual Godhood and the Mist Plane, learning to distinguish truly important treasures from ordinary wealth.
• Power and institutional control: The Mages’ Guild’s restrictions demonstrate how magical knowledge is controlled, while Romon’s resources give his territory increasing independence.
• Trade-offs between present and future: Romon provides only moderate-level materials now, preserving the Demiplane’s most valuable resources until he is strong enough to reveal or use them safely.

Character Interactions

• Romon interacts mainly with Debiru, presenting him with the spell materials and instructing him to copy them for the Mage Tower’s archives.
• Debiru initially assumes the materials came from the Royal Capital and eagerly agrees to organize their duplication.
• Romon encourages him but imposes a slower schedule, showing both confidence in the resources and a calm, controlled leadership style.
• The chapter ends with Romon looking over the bustling city and quietly acknowledging his return home.

A priest-led fleet from the Salante Fief rescued sailors whose ship was being battered by a storm and sea beasts in the Death Sea. The survivors learned that their rescuers served the Romon God as the storm continued.

• A captain ordered his fleet to abandon a damaged ship as sea beasts rammed it during the storm.
• The stricken ship’s crew called for help while the other ships refused to approach.
• A priest leading swift ships protected by Divine Spells heard the cries and ordered his fleet to rescue the sailors.
• The priest’s fleet drove away the sea beasts and took the stranded crew aboard just before their ship sank.
• The rescued captain said his crew had been on a mission for the Ladiga Fief, and the priest identified himself as a servant of the Romon God.
• Another surge of wind and waves struck, turning everyone’s attention back to the storm.

After the Salante fleet rescued Cardina’s crew, its rescuers returned to Salante Fief, where coastal construction advanced and Bishop Kanrongpa prepared to spread Romon God’s faith through a coming holy war. Foreign lords grew alarmed by Salante’s strength and began sending spies, while their reports left one question about Romon God’s territorial domain largely unnoticed.

• Cardina refused to help the hostile captains investigate the Salante fleet and chose to take his crew home overland rather than travel with them.
• The other captains inferred that Salante’s ships were protected by powerful divine spells and reported their suspicions about Salante Fief.
• The Salante fleet returned to the port city, where Bishop Kanrongpa learned that Priest Kangxi had mapped the coast and found shipwrights capable of building large vessels.
• Bishop Kanrongpa told Priest Kangxi that a holy war would soon begin, while workers continued building the port city and its people prospered under Romon God.
• Count Gao Hata and other lords sent spies into Salante Fief, whose reports described its followers, priests, Bishop Kanrongpa, and powerful dragon.
• The spies’ listeners questioned why Romon God’s territorial domain had not formed after five years, but the concern drew little attention.

Two years after the last holy war, Salante Fief had prospered and grown to around fifty-five thousand believers. Priest Fukangxi learned that a merchant caravan was asking unusually many questions about the Temple, and the chapter left him watching the group with growing suspicion.

• Priest Fukangxi met Knight Hade, who gave him a completed household register for the town.
• Knight Hade described how population movements had complicated the survey and said he had noticed a suspicious merchant caravan asking about the fief and, especially, its Temple.
• Priest Fukangxi connected the report to a warning from the Grand Temple about merchants gathering intelligence and said he would investigate the caravan.
• At Bente's tavern, Knight Hade pointed out the caravan members as they arrived, and Priest Fukangxi watched them warily.

Priest Fukangxi reported a suspicious caravan from Pukat Fief to Bishop Kanrongpa, who revealed that other lords were investigating the Romon God’s secret. With rival fiefs potentially joining forces, Kanrongpa decided to launch an offensive ahead of schedule and summoned the lord to discuss deploying troops.

• Priest Fukangxi traveled to the city after becoming suspicious of a caravan whose members asked unusually many questions about the Temple and Salante Fief.
• Fukangxi reported the caravan from Pukat Fief to Bishop Kanrongpa, who agreed it was suspicious and told him not to concern himself with the matter.
• After Fukangxi left, Kanrongpa told Priest Punei that the Romon God’s forces needed more bishop-level priests and that more lords were gathering intelligence.
• Kanrongpa decided to act ahead of schedule before rival fiefs could form an alliance, citing a population of about fifty-five thousand and an army capable of mustering five thousand men.
• Kanrongpa ordered Punei to summon the lord to discuss deploying troops and prayed for the Romon God’s blessing on their campaign.

Ever-Victorious (Part 1) — Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Five years after the Romon God’s faith began spreading, Haboba visits the temple and meets Bishop Kanrongpa to discuss the territory’s next expansion.
• Their territory has grown to roughly 50,000 people and is approaching a critical stage. If it can absorb another territory, it will gain enough population and strategic depth to withstand a coalition of neighboring gods.
• The Romon God’s centralized settlements give it major advantages:
  • Its population can retreat into fortified towns and cities.
  • Its territory contains more usable farmland and fewer monster attacks.
  • Enemy gods lose much of their Divine Power when their armies leave their own lands.
• Haboba and Kanrongpa consider attacking the neighboring fiefs of Gohata, Pukat, Menes, or Jiaoli. They choose Jiaoli Fief, a coastal region whose development has been hindered by sea monsters and internal religious division.
• Jiaoli is controlled by the newly risen Sea God Sennasai, while the former Sea God Sayo still retains some Divinity and rules the small city-state of South City.
• The initial plan is to destroy Sayo, absorb his population of more than 10,000, and then attack Sennasai and seize the rest of Jiaoli’s roughly 30,000 believers.
• Bishop Kanrongpa goes to the Divine Palace to request the aid of the Golden Dragon Elno, while Haboba prepares the army.
• Elno agrees to participate in exchange for the bodies of defeated False Gods, as well as 100 mortals and 100 cattle each year.
• Soon afterward, several thousand troops—about 800 cavalry, 2,000 spearmen, and 200 priests—assemble for another Holy War.
• The people enthusiastically cheer the army, chanting “Holy War” and “Ever-victorious,” while outsiders recognize the growing power and danger of the Romon God’s unified state.

Character Developments

• Haboba demonstrates strategic maturity and a clear understanding of the political and military situation. He weighs both the practical benefits and the danger of exposing the Romon God’s methods.
• Bishop Kanrongpa acts as an increasingly powerful and influential religious leader. Now an Eighth Level priest, he helps direct military expansion and negotiates with Elno on behalf of the faith.
• Elno, now a Golden Dragon, has become stronger, more intelligent, and more imposing. His appetite for the bodies of False Gods reveals his ambition to accumulate enough Divinity to ignite Divine Fire and potentially become a god himself.
• The ordinary people have become deeply invested in the Romon God’s victories. Their faith is reinforced not only by religious devotion but also by improved living conditions and material rewards.

Significant Themes

• Faith and political expansion: Religious conversion is closely tied to territorial conquest and population absorption.
• Centralization versus fragmentation: The Romon God’s concentrated settlements outperform the scattered territories of rival gods, offering greater safety, productivity, and military strength.
• Faith and material benefit: The chapter emphasizes that belief and profit can reinforce one another. Better living conditions, reduced monster attacks, and distributed war spoils make the population more loyal.
• The moral ambiguity of holy war: The Romon followers regard rival believers as heretics and enemies, while people who once suffered conquest now celebrate new campaigns.
• Power and secrecy: Haboba and Kanrongpa understand that revealing the Romon God’s unusual methods too early could cause surrounding territories to unite against them.
• The pursuit of divinity: Elno’s desire to consume False Gods reflects the broader struggle among powerful beings to gather Divinity and transcend their current limits.

Character Interactions

• Haboba and Kanrongpa cooperate closely, discussing strategic targets and agreeing that Jiaoli offers the fastest and least conspicuous victory.
• Kanrongpa respectfully approaches Elno, flattering him and offering cattle before asking for military assistance. Elno responds arrogantly but accepts the request because of his desire to consume False Gods.
• Elno’s terms reveal the unequal relationship between the Dragon and the Romon priesthood: he aids them, but expects substantial tribute.
• The townspeople praise the departing army, while an observant shopkeeper secretly records details about the temple’s cattle offerings, suggesting that spies or hidden opposition may already be monitoring the Romon territory.
• The chapter ends by contrasting the enthusiasm of Romon’s citizens with the unease of outside observers, who recognize that the territory’s united people, army, religion, and economy represent a formidable emerging power.