Chapter Summaries

Chapter 141 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• With the Black Death epidemic over, trade, commerce, and newspaper publication resume.
• The Thorn Merchant Guild’s newspaper office becomes firmly established in the Saint Airo Empire, making it difficult for the king to suppress.
• A widely distributed article exposes the Kunseci officials’ collusion with bandits and persecution of civilians. It emphasizes Desinia’s harsh but lawful punishment of the corrupt officials and subtly implicates the Saint Airo Empire.
• The newspaper also reports Desinia’s victories in the war against Saint Airo, including the Black-and-White Cavalry’s seizure of border territories. These reports further damage the king’s reputation.
• Enraged and humiliated, the Saint Airo king falls ill and considers shutting down the newspaper office, but Crown Prince Warner prevents him. Warner argues that suppressing it would make the royal family appear petty, especially since the office was originally permitted by the crown.
• Cyrus and Warner’s arrangement is revealed: Warner controls much of what the newspaper can publish inside the empire, allowing him to shape public opinion against the king.
• Second Prince Kien visits Warner and asks about his plans concerning their brother Kashu and their father, the king. Warner declares that he will definitely take the throne and will remove anyone who obstructs him. Kien pledges his support.
• Meanwhile, Cyrus discusses trade with Archibald. He proposes establishing a Nagabi Merchant Guild branch in Yami and creating a northern-southern maritime trade fleet using Visas’s harbor, giving merchants an alternative to the Saint Airo-controlled route.
• Cyrus plans to use newspapers to promote maritime travel by presenting orcas as lucky protectors of sailors. Samuel’s successful voyage to the New Continent, accompanied by orcas, will serve as proof.
• Cyrus commissions a comic, “Samuel Fern’s Seafaring Adventures,” and plans a detailed Fern Travelogue describing the New Continent’s clothing, customs, food, and ornaments. These accounts will encourage cultural exchange and inspire new commercial products.

Character Developments

• Warner becomes increasingly determined and ruthless in his pursuit of the throne. Although he still considers showing mercy to his father possible, that mercy depends entirely on the king’s behavior.
• Kien moves from cautious concern to active loyalty. He understands the danger of challenging the king but chooses to stand firmly behind Warner.
• Cyrus continues expanding his influence through newspapers, trade, infrastructure, cultural promotion, and strategic use of public opinion. He combines economic planning with imaginative propaganda.
• Archibald shifts from discussing ordinary merchant access to seriously considering Cyrus’s broader north-south trade plan.
• Samuel Fern is encouraged to turn his exploration into both a comic and travelogue, becoming an important source of information about the New Continent and a useful figure in Cyrus’s commercial strategy.

Significant Themes

• Control of information and public opinion: Newspapers become a political weapon, exposing corruption, shaping public perception, and weakening the Saint Airo king.
• Political succession and family loyalty: Warner’s planned seizure of the throne places Kien in a difficult moral position, forcing him to choose between family ties and the empire’s future.
• Economic expansion and modernization: Cyrus seeks to revive Yami through maritime trade, harbor development, infrastructure, and population movement.
• Cultural exchange: Samuel’s travel accounts will introduce Western Continental readers to the New Continent’s customs and inspire new goods and fashions.
• Propaganda and symbolic storytelling: Cyrus uses comics, heroic narratives, and the image of benevolent orcas to attract merchants and build confidence in sea travel.
• Law and authority: Desinia’s punishment of corrupt officials demonstrates Cyrus’s commitment to strict justice, while the newspaper uses those actions to deter similar abuses elsewhere.

Important Character Interactions

• Warner and Kien: They discuss whether to move against Kashu and the king. Warner makes clear that the throne is his goal, while Kien promises unwavering support.
• Cyrus and Archibald: Cyrus persuades Archibald to consider joining a new maritime trade network and explains how Yami can become an economic center.
• Cyrus and Samuel: Cyrus directs Samuel to record his exploration in detail and promises to reward his contribution, motivating Samuel to write the Fern Travelogue.
• Cyrus and the newspaper artist: Cyrus personally guides the creation of the Samuel comic, ensuring that it supports his commercial and cultural objectives.

Chapter 142 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cyrus arranges for the first installment of Samuel Fern’s Seafaring Adventures to receive a prominent position in the newspaper.
• The comic uses a new, highly accessible format: three vertical strips, minimal text, rounded illustrations, and humorous storytelling. It depicts Samuel Fern’s voyages in search of the New Continent, beginning with Cyrus’s first trial voyage aboard the Windrider.
• The comic portrays Rice Ball and the orcas as benevolent guardians of the sea, favored by the Creator God and protected by Desinian law. It also presents the lord’s rescue by Rice Ball without clearly showing Cyrus’s face.
• The comic becomes unexpectedly popular. Newspapers sell out, readers refuse to lend copies because they want to cut out and preserve the comic, and collectors begin pasting installments into notebooks.
• The trend spreads from a Thorn Merchant Guild clerk to the wider public. Even people who initially dismiss the comic eventually purchase later newspaper issues to continue collecting it.
• Newspaper sales rise sharply in the Saint Airo Empire, attracting new readers and increasing traffic to Visas. Visitors come to the harbor to hear locals recount the Windrider’s return and the spectacular sight of the orca pod.
• After the Windrider finishes maintenance, Cyrus, Segalot, Orville, Samuel, and others sail into nearshore waters. Orville asks Cyrus where Rollie—the panda—was supposedly found because he intends to travel to Yami to raise one.
• The group encounters Rice Ball and the orcas. Rice Ball gives Cyrus a large, faintly blue-glowing pearl, delighting Cyrus and leaving Samuel openly jealous.

Character Developments

• Cyrus: Demonstrates effective cultural and commercial insight through the comic’s publication, though he is surprised by its popularity. He remains protective of his secret regarding Rollie’s true origins and is touched by Rice Ball’s gift.
• Samuel Fern: Becomes the central heroic figure of the comic and gains greater public recognition as an explorer. He is also amused—and envious—when Rice Ball gives Cyrus a pearl instead of him.
• Orville: Reveals a firm desire to travel to Yami and raise a panda, showing an unexpectedly earnest interest in animals. His usually restrained demeanor contrasts with his blunt determination.
• Segalot: Acts protectively toward Cyrus, steadying him when he leans dangerously from the small boat. Their familiar, affectionate interaction suggests increasing closeness.
• Rice Ball: Continues to show affection and loyalty toward Cyrus, presenting him with a valuable pearl and playfully performing in the water.
• The public: Develops a new enthusiasm for comics, newspapers, collecting, and the lore surrounding Cyrus, Samuel, and the orcas.

Significant Themes

• The power of storytelling and mass media: The comic transforms a historical voyage into popular entertainment and greatly expands newspaper readership.
• Cultural influence and public memory: The comic and local retellings turn Cyrus’s voyage and the orcas into shared legends.
• The bond between humans and nature: Orcas are depicted as intelligent, benevolent protectors, while their protection under Desinian law reflects the territory’s respect for wildlife.
• Commercial innovation: A simple artistic format creates a new collecting culture and increases newspaper sales, especially abroad.
• Affection and loyalty: Rice Ball’s rescue history and gift to Cyrus emphasize the emotional connection between them.
• Humor and lightheartedness: Orville’s determination to find a panda, Samuel’s jealousy, and Rice Ball’s playful antics provide comic relief amid the chapter’s broader world-building.

Important Character Interactions

• Cyrus’s newspaper strategy indirectly brings strangers together through their shared excitement over the comic.
• Locals recount the Windrider’s return to visitors, spreading admiration for Cyrus and Samuel.
• Orville questions Cyrus about Rollie’s whereabouts, while Cyrus privately recognizes that his directions will not truly help Orville find the panda.
• Segalot watches over Cyrus during the boat ride and guides him safely when Rice Ball approaches.
• Rice Ball communicates affection through playful behavior and gifts Cyrus a magnificent pearl, prompting Samuel’s humorous envy.

Chapter 143 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Samuel Fern’s sea-adventure comic becomes an unexpected sensation, greatly increasing newspaper readership and spreading Samuel’s fame.
• The comic’s depiction of intelligent, affectionate orcas—especially Rice Ball—makes the creatures extremely popular. Readers become eager to visit Visas and see real orcas.
• Orca-watching ships begin taking visitors out from Visas Harbor. Sightings are unpredictable, but successful encounters become memorable attractions.
• Cyrus achieves his larger economic goal: merchants are drawn away from the Saint Airo Empire’s route to Yami and begin registering to depart from the cheaper ports of the Cogit Sea. Lower customs fees, cargo discounts, and the supposed protection of orcas further encourage them.
• A noblewoman falls from a small boat while attempting to approach an orca. An orca rescues her by lifting her to the surface. Witnesses interpret the event as proof that the comic’s stories are real, causing public enthusiasm for orcas to grow even further.
• Orca tourism becomes more important than the merchant traffic Cyrus originally intended to attract.
• Archibald and Grand Duke Orville sail for Yami. Archibald plans to inspect the region and arrange for the Nagabi Merchant Guild to establish operations there, while Orville searches for pandas, despite Cyrus knowing none are present.
• King Gena Kozmo of Bovell arrives to negotiate a bulk purchase of Vodka. He also brings a female snow wolf, hoping to breed her with Cyrus’s white wolf, Ice Cream, and eventually obtain a pure-white pup. Ice Cream avoids the female entirely and ultimately retreats into the wilderness.
• Cyrus discusses cocoa with Gena, explaining that it can produce comforting, warming drinks and chocolate, potentially making it valuable in the cold Bovell Kingdom. Gena samples the chocolate and agrees to consider placing an advance order.

Character Developments and Interactions

• Cyrus successfully uses popular culture and tourism to advance both regional commerce and the influence of the Cogit Sea. He also demonstrates foresight by promoting cocoa as a future export.
• Samuel Fern becomes a celebrated public figure, while his affection for Rice Ball helps humanize orcas in the public imagination.
• Rice Ball and the orcas are portrayed as intelligent, playful, generous, and protective. Rice Ball’s interactions with Samuel—giving gifts, singing, and splashing him—become beloved comic material, while another orca’s rescue of the noblewoman reinforces their image as benevolent creatures.
• Archibald takes practical steps toward expanding trade into Yami through the Nagabi Merchant Guild.
• Grand Duke Orville remains comically fixated on finding pandas, forcing Cyrus to conceal the disappointing truth.
• Gena Kozmo shows unusual humility and determination in his attempt to acquire a pure-white wolf. His business relationship with Cyrus also expands from Vodka trade toward possible cocoa imports.
• Ice Cream remains uninterested in romance, frustrating Gena and the wolf trainer Coliford, before escaping to the mountains.

Significant Themes

• The power of media and storytelling: Samuel’s comic transforms public attitudes, creates tourism, and influences trade routes.
• Economic strategy and soft power: Cyrus uses entertainment, natural attractions, favorable taxes, and regional products to redirect commerce toward his territory.
• The bond between humans and animals: The orcas’ apparent intelligence and kindness blur the boundary between wildlife and human companionship.
• Reputation and belief: The noblewoman’s rescue turns the comic’s fictionalized portrayal of orcas into something people regard as confirmed reality.
• Cooperation after crisis: The shared production and distribution of epidemic supplies strengthen relationships between Cyrus and merchant guilds, laying the groundwork for future trade.
• Adaptation to climate and resources: Vodka and cocoa illustrate how products can become especially valuable when local conditions make them difficult to produce.

Chapter 144 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cyrus gives Gena Kozmo all the chocolate he has produced, allowing Gena to sample both bitter and sweeter varieties.
• Gena agrees to cooperate with Cyrus on cocoa cultivation and chocolate production. He requests the entire first batch and priority access to future supplies for Bovell Kingdom.
• Cyrus drafts a formal contract, including a clause that the agreement becomes void if cultivation fails because cocoa is an unfamiliar crop. Gena signs and leaves his fingerprint.
• Gena raises the political situation in the Saint Airo Empire:
  • Third Prince Kashu attempted to seize the throne but was exposed by the eldest prince.
  • Kashu was imprisoned in Tum Tower.
  • Shortly afterward, the king fell gravely ill, leaving the eldest prince to govern.
• Gena suggests that Cyrus may be interested in Saint Airo territory and hints that Bovell Kingdom could eventually move against the weakened empire.
• Cyrus declines to consider war for now, citing poor timing, the damage caused by the Black Death, and his own unfinished economic projects. He also recognizes that the Saint Airo Empire remains dangerous, particularly because Warner Gales is consolidating power.
• Gena implies that the king’s illness may be connected to Kashu’s imprisonment, suggesting a possible struggle for power within the imperial family.
• Before leaving, Coliford makes another attempt to find a mate for Ice Cream by presenting a beautiful female snow wolf. Ice Cream remains uninterested, preferring Cyrus’s company.
• Gena jokingly suggests taking Ice Cream to Bovell Kingdom, where he could choose from many female wolves. Cyrus refuses indirectly, and Gena leaves without success.
• After Gena departs, Cyrus finally gets a short period of rest.
• Cyrus later spends the evening drinking wine with Pope Segalot by a window overlooking Par Lake.
• Segalot reveals that the Holy See is organizing orphanages and relief shelters across the Saint Airo Empire for people displaced and impoverished by the Black Death.
• He explains that many shelters have fallen into disrepair and that children and adults throughout the empire remain hungry and homeless.
• Segalot admits that Cyrus’s earlier remark—that every child should be cared for—inspired or influenced his efforts.
• Cyrus becomes emotionally touched by Segalot’s actions. After sharing a toast, Cyrus drinks too much and is helped to bed.

Character Developments

• Cyrus: Demonstrates practical leadership by formalizing the cocoa agreement and carefully limiting his military ambitions. He remains cautious, prioritizing agriculture, oil production, and recovery over conquest. His concern for orphaned children is revealed to be sincere and influential, and he becomes increasingly moved by Segalot’s responsiveness.
• Gena Kozmo: Shows both commercial flexibility and continuing imperial ambition. He is willing to wait for a better opportunity against Saint Airo but clearly hopes Cyrus will eventually ally with him. His playful persistence regarding Ice Cream also reveals a lighter, more humorous side.
• Segalot: Reveals a compassionate and attentive dimension beneath his normally detached demeanor. He remembers Cyrus’s offhand comment about children and turns it into concrete humanitarian action.
• Ice Cream: Remains deeply attached to Cyrus and rejects the proposed mate, emphasizing his unusual intelligence and strong personal bond with Cyrus.
• Coliford: Becomes increasingly frustrated by his inability to persuade Ice Cream, despite bringing an especially desirable snow wolf.

Significant Themes

• Pragmatism versus ambition: Gena wants to exploit Saint Airo’s weakness, while Cyrus recognizes that immediate war would be reckless.
• Recovery after catastrophe: The lasting consequences of the Black Death shape political calculations and motivate the Holy See’s relief efforts.
• Compassion and responsibility: Cyrus’s concern for children influences Segalot and expands into a broader humanitarian project.
• Formal agreements and trust: Cyrus insists on a written contract, showing the importance of accountability in political and commercial cooperation.
• Individual affection and loyalty: Ice Cream’s refusal to accept another wolf highlights his unique bond with Cyrus.
• Hidden political danger: The king’s illness following Kashu’s imprisonment suggests deeper intrigue within the Saint Airo royal family.

Important Character Interactions

• Cyrus and Gena negotiate the cocoa and chocolate partnership, then discuss possible conflict with Saint Airo.
• Cyrus and Gena share a cautious but respectful political exchange, with both recognizing that their future interests may eventually align.
• Coliford and Gena attempt to arrange a mate for Ice Cream, but Ice Cream ignores the female wolf and chooses Cyrus instead.
• Cyrus and Segalot share an intimate, relaxed conversation over wine. Segalot’s decision to act on Cyrus’s compassion strengthens their emotional connection, ending the chapter with Cyrus trusting Segalot enough to relax in his presence.

Chapter 145 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cyrus wakes after becoming drunk the previous night and discovers that the Pope, Segalot, spent the night beside him. Cyrus had unknowingly tangled several strands of Segalot’s hair in his hand while sleeping.
• Their intimate, familiar interaction continues as Segalot teasingly warns Cyrus not to drink when he is absent. Judas later finds the Pope in Cyrus’s room but accepts Cyrus’s explanation that Segalot carried him back after he became drunk.
• During breakfast, Cyrus discusses the orphanages being established across the Saint Airo Empire. He proposes sending his medical team to visit them, provide free examinations and treatment, and teach basic medical knowledge. Segalot agrees to arrange this.
• Prince Warner observes the growing cooperation between Cyrus and the Pope with concern. He realizes that Cyrus’s reputation, especially after ending the Black Death epidemic, has begun to rival or surpass that of powerful rulers and religious authorities. Warner considers Cyrus more dangerous than King Gena Kozmo, though he does not want to become Cyrus’s enemy.
• The Saint Church expands the orphanage policy: homeless children may stay there, while young adults and displaced people unable to support themselves may remain temporarily for up to three months. The orphanage will also help some residents find work.
• Jack, an orphan who cares for his two younger brothers after losing his family to the Black Death, brings them to the orphanage. They receive clean clothing, food, and safety, giving Jack relief.
• Cyrus’s medical delegation arrives from Desinia Territory to treat the children and spread medical knowledge. They also begin recruiting adults willing to move to Desinia and select orphans who want to settle there.
• Jack eagerly volunteers to move to Desinia with his brothers. He is accepted and is asked to find other children willing to relocate.
• Ten days later, ships return to Desinia carrying many recruited adults and children.

Character Developments

• Cyrus remains compassionate and socially minded. His concern extends beyond emergency relief to long-term medical education, child welfare, and resettlement.
• Segalot displays increasing warmth and physical familiarity with Cyrus, staying beside him overnight, caring for him while drunk, and teasing him gently the next morning.
• Warner becomes more politically perceptive and wary. He recognizes Cyrus’s growing influence as a potential threat to the Saint Airo Empire’s authority.
• Jack develops from a desperate caretaker into someone willing to take initiative. Though initially embarrassed and uncertain, he bravely asks for a better future for himself and his brothers.
• Jack’s brothers and fellow orphans move from poverty and insecurity toward safety, education, medical care, and possible relocation.

Significant Themes

• Compassion and social reform: The orphanages represent organized efforts to care for people abandoned by the epidemic and by society.
• The practical expression of ideals: Cyrus’s support goes beyond charity, emphasizing healthcare, education, work, and relocation opportunities.
• Growing political and religious influence: Cyrus’s reputation as a savior challenges established power structures, creating unease for Warner.
• Hope after disaster: Survivors of the Black Death begin rebuilding their lives through community support and new opportunities.
• Trust and intimacy: Cyrus and Segalot’s domestic interactions reveal a deepening closeness beneath their public roles.

Character Interactions

• Cyrus and Segalot share a playful, affectionate morning after Cyrus’s drunken night, with Segalot caring for and lightly admonishing him.
• Cyrus explains the Pope’s presence to Judas, who responds practically by preparing washing supplies for both men.
• Cyrus and Segalot cooperate over the orphanage and medical initiatives, reinforcing their shared humanitarian goals.
• Warner privately assesses Cyrus’s influence and the implications of the Pope’s continued presence in Desinia Territory.
• Jack encourages his hesitant friend to trust the orphanage and later boldly appeals to the medical delegation for help relocating with his brothers.

Chapter 146 Summary

Plot Points and Events

• A fleet brings children from the Saint Airo Empire to Desinia Territory. Although they initially arrive at the port, they are informed that they will live and study at the school in Komoy Fort.
• The children learn about the school system, including education in literacy, mathematics, history, geography, astronomy, and theology. They are amazed that ordinary children can receive an education—something previously restricted mainly to nobles and wealthy families.
• They are told that the school follows a five-day study schedule with two days of rest. Church clergy visit regularly to teach theology, and high-performing students may later receive recommendations to join the church.
• At Komoy Fort, the newcomers undergo entrance testing, receive living supplies, and prepare to join the school. Jack and the others eagerly hope to meet Cyrus, the Lord of Desinia.
• Cyrus eventually visits the school while Jack’s class is studying mathematics. Jack recognizes him, becomes flustered, and accidentally knocks over his chair. Cyrus responds kindly and introduces himself to the class.
• Cyrus encourages the children and explains that their education may lead to many careers, including engineering, teaching, administration, medicine, alchemy, the clergy, or military service.
• Inspired by Cyrus, the newcomer children become highly motivated to study. Their diligence also motivates the original students, who begin competing with them in anticipation of an upcoming major examination.
• Later, the harvest season arrives. Cyrus and others visit the large plantation near the castle to inspect the crops, beginning with the potato harvest. The first potato field appears sparse and unimpressive, creating uncertainty about the final yield.

Character Developments

• Jack develops intense admiration for Cyrus, viewing him almost as a religious or inspirational figure. Meeting him in person leaves Jack overwhelmed, but it also strengthens his determination to study and eventually serve Cyrus.
• Jack’s friends and the other newcomer children move from disbelief and nervousness to excitement and ambition as they realize education can transform their futures.
• The original students initially feel curious and somewhat competitive toward the Saint Airo children, but their diligence inspires them to work harder as well.
• Cyrus is shown as a compassionate and visionary ruler who personally reassures displaced children and emphasizes education as a means of building a capable society.
• The school staff and organizers help the new arrivals adjust by explaining the school system, arranging housing and supplies, and integrating them into their new lives.

Significant Themes

• Education as social liberation: Literacy, mathematics, and professional training offer poor and displaced children opportunities formerly reserved for the upper classes.
• Hope and social mobility: The children begin imagining futures as teachers, physicians, engineers, alchemists, clergy, or officials rather than remaining trapped in poverty.
• Leadership through personal care: Cyrus’s brief but friendly visit demonstrates how a ruler’s personal attention can inspire loyalty and confidence.
• Healthy competition and collective improvement: The newcomers’ enthusiasm encourages the established students to work harder, turning competition into broader academic progress.
• Modernization and development: The school system, professional specialization, organized agriculture, and planned use of land reflect Desinia’s continuing transformation.
• Uncertainty behind progress: The underwhelming potato fields hint that Cyrus’s agricultural experiments may not produce the results he expects.

Character Interactions

• The person in charge explains the school and future opportunities to the children, replacing their confusion with excitement.
• Jack and his friends discuss what careers they might pursue and how they could eventually help Cyrus.
• Cyrus meets the class directly, offering the children reassurance through his approachable manner.
• The newcomers’ dedication affects the original students, creating friendly academic rivalry.
• Cyrus, the plantation workers, former servants, commoners, and slaves gather to observe the first major harvest, linking his leadership to the territory’s agricultural and economic development.

Chapter 147 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cyrus inspects the potato field with Segalot. Although the plants appear sparse and everyone expects a disappointing harvest, Cyrus remains confident.
• The potatoes are dug up, revealing an unexpectedly large yield. Each plant produces numerous large tubers, astonishing the servants, commoners, slaves, Judas, Gibran, and the others.
• Cyrus explains that potatoes can produce far more than the hundred jin others estimate—potentially thousands of jin per mu under ideal conditions.
• He reflects on the limited supply of potatoes originally brought from the New Continent and the risks involved in cultivating an unfamiliar crop. Their successful growth is therefore a major achievement.
• Segalot recognizes the potatoes’ potential to relieve hunger, especially after the Black Death has caused abandoned fields, labor shortages, food crises, and widespread poverty across regions such as the Saint Airo Empire.
• Cyrus orders the castle chefs to experiment with different potato dishes and record the recipes.
• Other crops are also developing: tomatoes in the greenhouses remain unripe, while chili peppers have turned red and are ready for harvesting, drying, preserving, and seed collection.
• At the end of August, Cyrus begins a large-scale potato distribution campaign. Mayors in nearby cities order manors, villages, and collective units to collect and plant potatoes according to official instructions.
• Newspapers, administrative halls, the Thorn Merchant Guild, and illustrated booklets promote potato cultivation. The materials explain planting, sprouting, seed preservation, and proper handling, while warning that wasting seed potatoes will be punished.
• Because the initial harvest cannot supply the entire territory, cultivation begins near Par Mountain and will gradually spread to border regions and other cities. By mid-September, potato distribution is underway as the territory prepares for the harvest of corn and sweet potatoes.

Character Developments and Interactions

• Cyrus demonstrates practical agricultural knowledge, foresight, and administrative skill. He plans not only for immediate consumption but also for breeding, seed preservation, recipe development, and systematic territorial expansion.
• Segalot becomes visibly supportive and affectionate toward Cyrus, gently cleaning Cyrus’s hand after the planting. He also begins to understand the potatoes’ broader humanitarian importance.
• Judas, Gibran, Toby, and the workers shift from skepticism and concern to excitement and admiration when they see the abundant harvest. Their reaction helps establish the potatoes as a potential agricultural breakthrough.
• The servants, commoners, and slaves play an essential role in successfully cultivating and harvesting the crop, combining Cyrus’s instructions with their own farming experience.
• The castle chef is given the new responsibility of developing and documenting potato recipes.
• The mayors and Thorn Merchant Guild become instruments of Cyrus’s agricultural policy, helping spread the crop and its cultivation methods throughout the territory.

Significant Themes

• Agricultural innovation and food security: Potatoes offer a high-yield solution to the territory’s growing food shortages.
• Leadership and planning: Cyrus turns a single successful experiment into a coordinated, territory-wide agricultural program.
• Recovery after catastrophe: The lingering effects of the Black Death—abandoned land, labor shortages, hunger, and social unrest—remain central concerns.
• Knowledge sharing and administration: Newspapers, manuals, illustrations, guild notices, and official decrees demonstrate how information can transform society.
• Hope and social welfare: The potato harvest represents more than economic success; it offers the possibility of feeding the poor and reducing hunger across the region.
• Trust between classes: Commoners, slaves, servants, officials, and nobles cooperate in a shared project, even though Cyrus’s vision initially exceeds their understanding.

Chapter 148 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Potato seeds are distributed throughout Visas and other cities. Because Potatoes are unfamiliar, residents receive planting manuals and purchase more detailed guides from the Thorn Merchant Guild, greatly increasing the guild’s sales.
• Old Bichy, a village chief, collects a cartload of Potatoes. He and the villagers are confused by the instructions: the “seeds” must be cut into pieces and sprouted, even though the manual warns that green, sprouted Potatoes are poisonous if eaten.
• Lord Cyrus launches an extensive Potato-promotion campaign. The mayor, newspapers, public information boards, and guards all help explain the planting process. Residents carefully follow the instructions for preparing the Potatoes, land, and seedlings.
• Cyrus and his companions visit the plantation during the harvest of Corn and Sweet Potatoes. The Corn grows impressively tall and abundantly, with a yield expected to rival that of Potatoes.
• Cyrus tastes raw Corn, then orders the Corn harvested and the stalks cut down for firewood. The measured yield confirms everyone’s hopes and causes widespread celebration.
• The group cooks Corn for lunch. Cyrus serves the first ear to Segalot, who enjoys it and praises its flavor. The Corn proves sweet, fragrant, filling, and popular with both nobles and laborers.
• After lunch, everyone prepares to harvest the Sweet Potatoes, eagerly wondering whether they will produce a similarly abundant crop.

Character Developments

• Old Bichy is presented as a practical but cautious village leader. Though only partly literate, he takes responsibility for understanding the Potato instructions and intends to study the manual carefully.
• Cyrus demonstrates strong administrative leadership and enthusiasm for agricultural development. He personally oversees promotion, cultivation, harvesting, and even the preparation and tasting of new foods.
• Segalot becomes increasingly comfortable and intimate around Cyrus. He willingly accepts food directly from Cyrus and displays clear fondness for Desinia.
• Judas and the other observers share in the amazement at the Corn harvest, reinforcing the broader confidence in Cyrus’s agricultural reforms.

Significant Themes

• Agricultural innovation and food security: Potatoes, Corn, and Sweet Potatoes promise to transform the territory’s food supply and eliminate fear of famine.
• Effective governance and public education: Cyrus’s success depends not only on introducing new crops but also on providing manuals, demonstrations, and organized support so people can use them correctly.
• Prosperity through cooperation: Lords, commoners, slaves, merchants, and officials all contribute to the cultivation and distribution of the crops.
• Food as a source of cultural change: New crops lead to new recipes, eating habits, and shared experiences across social classes.
• Affection and political loyalty: Cyrus indirectly asks whether Segalot prefers Desinia to the Saint Airo Empire, while Segalot’s unequivocal praise of Desinia suggests growing emotional attachment to Cyrus’s territory—and possibly to Cyrus himself.

Character Interactions

• Old Bichy consults a literate young villager about the confusing Potato manual before taking the seeds home.
• Cyrus and Segalot share several flirtatious moments while tasting Corn. Cyrus feeds kernels to Segalot by hand, and Segalot responds with quiet amusement and evident interest.
• Cyrus asks Segalot whether he likes Desinia more than the Saint Airo Empire. Segalot repeatedly answers that he likes Desinia, though Cyrus leaves the deeper meaning of his question unexplained.
• After the harvest, commoners and slaves kneel before Cyrus and Segalot, praising the Creator God and viewing the abundant crops as a divine blessing.

Chapter 149 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Desinia issues new decrees allowing people to collect Sweet Potato and Corn seeds after Potato cultivation begins. Those who already received Potato seeds may choose only one of the two new crops.
• Corn distribution is restricted by soil and terrain requirements; locations unsuitable for corn receive Sweet Potato seeds instead.
• Detailed farming manuals are distributed, and officials emphasize that the valuable seeds must not be wasted. Successful cultivation earns rewards, while negligence brings punishment.
• The new crops spread throughout the territory, creating anticipation in border cities, which are promised priority access to the harvest.
• Meanwhile, the previously planted Cotton reaches harvest season. People initially misunderstand it as an ornamental plant, but Cyrus explains that it can be processed into clothing and other goods.
• Cyrus gives strict instructions for harvesting and storing Cotton:
  • It must be harvested neither too early nor too late.
  • It must be kept dry, clean, sheltered, and away from fire.
  • Different grades—good Cotton, hard-lock Cotton, and ground Cotton—must be separated.
  • Cotton seeds must be carefully collected for future large-scale cultivation.
• Cyrus begins developing methods and machinery for Cotton processing. He works with Reinog to create:
  • A cotton gin for separating fibers from seeds.
  • A wooden spinning wheel for turning Cotton fibers into yarn.
• Cyrus orders the cotton gin to be mass-produced and encourages Reinog to improve it and continue developing more efficient spinning wheels.
• After nearly two months of processing, weaving, and dyeing, the first colorful Cotton fabric is produced. Tailors make Cyrus a thick winter outfit, hat, and scarf.
• Cyrus realizes Cotton clothing will be especially valuable to people in the Bovell Kingdom, which may soon suffer a disastrous cold current caused by events in the Far North. He invites Segalot to accompany him there after the Potato harvest.

Character Developments

• Cyrus demonstrates his administrative ability, scientific knowledge, and long-term planning. He manages agricultural expansion, supervises Cotton production, designs machinery, and considers future trade and military development.
• Cyrus also reveals his concern for future disasters, remembering the coming northern fissures, avalanches, and cold current. His plans for Cotton are both economically strategic and humanitarian.
• Reinog continues to prove himself as a capable inventor. With Cyrus’s guidance, he successfully builds the first cotton gin and hand-operated spinning wheel, then takes responsibility for improving the designs.
• Segalot remains close to Cyrus and shows an affectionate, playful side by pinching Cyrus’s cheek when he sees him wearing the winter outfit. He also recognizes the humanitarian importance of Cotton clothing for Bovell.

Significant Themes

• Agricultural modernization: The systematic introduction of Potato, Sweet Potato, and Corn reflects Desinia’s effort to improve food production and strengthen food security.
• Technological progress: Cyrus applies knowledge from elsewhere to introduce machines that increase efficiency and help the territory advance beyond traditional manual labor.
• Resource management and discipline: Strict rules for seed distribution, planting, harvesting, storage, and processing show the importance of preventing waste.
• Economic development: Cotton is intended not only for local use but eventually for trade, generating revenue to fund construction and military expansion.
• Preparation for crisis: Cyrus’s foresight connects agricultural and technological development with preparation for future disasters and regional instability.
• Affection amid governance: The lighthearted interaction between Cyrus and Segalot provides a personal contrast to the chapter’s focus on administration, invention, and large-scale planning.

Character Interactions

• Cyrus instructs workers on proper Cotton handling and emphasizes the importance of careful classification and storage.
• He collaborates closely with Reinog, giving him mechanical principles and encouraging him to improve the cotton gin and spinning wheel.
• Cyrus and Segalot discuss the usefulness of Cotton clothing in Bovell, leading Cyrus to propose traveling there after the harvest.
• Segalot’s teasing gesture toward Cyrus highlights their intimacy and familiarity, while their discussion also shows shared concern for people threatened by the coming cold.

Chapter 150 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Archibald reports that the Thorn Merchant Guild and Nagabi Merchant Guild are cooperating, with the Nagabi Guild opening a branch in Yami and developing new trade routes. Cyrus delegates the necessary coordination to Nat, the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
• Grand Duke Orville writes that his search for pandas in Yami failed completely. Cyrus comforts him and invites him to visit the castle to see the pandas there, proudly considering himself a generous ally.
• Cyrus organizes the second potato harvest. He orders Ferdinand and Walker to send soldiers to every city that received potato seeds to record yields and supervise distribution.
• Each harvest is divided into three parts:
  1. Food for local residents
  2. Seed potatoes for future cultivation
  3. Potatoes transported to Par Mountain for redistribution
• Cyrus instructs Judas to have the Thorn Merchant Guild sell potato recipe books and asks the newspaper office to promote potatoes, encouraging people to grow and eat them.
• Commander Daina personally supervises the harvest in Old Bichy’s village. The villagers are astonished to discover that each plant produces eight or nine large potatoes.
• The village harvest exceeds seven hundred jin, an extraordinary yield by the standards of the era. Daina explains how the potatoes will be divided between food, seed stock, and shipment to Par Mountain.
• Similar harvests take place throughout the territory. Recipe books go on sale, and Cyrus arranges for potatoes from Par Mountain to be distributed to border cities and other regions, allowing potato cultivation to spread across nearly all of Desinia.
• Cyrus prepares to travel to the Bovell Kingdom in the Far North. He brings Ice Cream, Eggy, and Rice Cake, while the rest of the party receives warm padded clothing.
• The convoy enters Bovell Kingdom after two days. Snow, freezing winds, and worsening cold make the journey difficult.
• Eggy repeatedly sticks his head out of the carriage window despite Cyrus’s warnings. When Cyrus restrains him, Eggy’s weight knocks Cyrus into the Pope’s lap. Segalot steadies Cyrus, while Ice Cream eventually drags Eggy away by the scruff.

Character Developments

• Cyrus demonstrates strong administrative ability and long-term planning by prioritizing seed preservation and territory-wide potato cultivation over immediate consumption. He also uses trade, journalism, and recipes to encourage agricultural and cultural adoption.
• Daina proves himself diligent and trustworthy by personally supervising the distant harvest and ensuring Cyrus’s distribution policies are followed.
• Old Bichy and the villagers shift from nervous uncertainty to excitement and amazement as they witness the potatoes’ extraordinary productivity.
• Grand Duke Orville is shown to be comically disappointed by his unsuccessful panda search, while Cyrus’s response highlights their friendly alliance.
• Eggy has grown from a small puppy into a large, mischievous dog but remains affectionate, spoiled, and eager to seek Cyrus’s attention.
• Cyrus and Segalot’s relationship gains a playful, intimate moment when Cyrus falls into the Pope’s lap and Segalot gently supports him.
• Ice Cream acts protectively and sensibly by stopping Eggy when Cyrus cannot control him.

Significant Themes

• Agricultural progress and food security: Potatoes are treated as a major tool for reducing hunger and strengthening the territory.
• Centralized planning and responsible governance: Cyrus carefully manages harvest records, distribution, seed preservation, and transportation.
• Economic development: Merchant-guild cooperation, new trade routes, recipe books, and newspapers all support the territory’s expanding economy.
• Innovation and public adoption: Introducing a new crop requires not only cultivation but also education, promotion, and appealing ways to use it.
• Warmth and companionship amid hardship: The brutal Far Northern climate contrasts with the humorous and affectionate interactions among Cyrus, the Pope, and the animals.

Character Interactions

• Cyrus delegates the merchant-guild negotiations to Nat and agricultural work to Ferdinand, Walker, Judas, and Daina.
• Daina calmly instructs Old Bichy and the villagers on harvesting and dividing the potatoes.
• Cyrus exchanges supportive letters with Orville, teasingly offering access to the castle’s pandas.
• Cyrus scolds Eggy for disobeying him, but Eggy responds with affectionate, manipulative behavior.
• Eggy’s antics cause Cyrus to fall onto Segalot, who catches and steadies him with amusement.
• Ice Cream ends the disruption by dragging Eggy away, leaving the spoiled Husky whining while Cyrus refuses to indulge him.

Chapter 151 Summary

Plot Points and Events

• Cyrus, Segalot, and their companions arrive in the Far Northern Bovell Kingdom, where they are personally welcomed by King Gena Kozmo.
• Eggy, the Husky, escapes the carriage first and joyfully scatters snow over Gena and his subordinate, Coliford. Ice Cream and Rice Cake soon follow.
• Gena permits Ice Cream, Rice Cake, and Eggy to explore with Coliford and the kingdom’s wolf pack. Coliford eagerly takes responsibility for them.
• Cyrus explains the benefits of cotton, a new crop brought from the New Continent. Cotton cloth is warmer and cheaper than linen, leather, or wool, making it particularly suitable for Bovell’s harsh climate. He proposes that Gena purchase it through the Thorn Merchant Guild.
• Gena is strongly interested because Bovell remains materially underdeveloped. Its people still rely heavily on animal hides for clothing, and the kingdom’s frozen, sparsely populated landscape offers few resources.
• Cyrus privately reflects that a severe blizzard and subsequent cold wave will soon strike the region. He believes Segalot’s presence will help him carry out his plans after the disaster.
• The castle proves almost as cold inside as outside, with open corridor windows and icy furniture despite lit fireplaces. Segalot subtly protects Cyrus from the wind by positioning himself between Cyrus and an open window.
• When Cyrus realizes his assigned room is too cold to sleep in, Segalot offers to share his room. After some surprise from Gena, Cyrus agrees and requests an additional set of bedding.
• Before dinner, the animals return. Coliford reports that Ice Cream defeated an entire wild wolf pack, while Eggy helped in a chaotic, reckless way. Eggy repeatedly ran too fast, nearly became lost, and delighted in diving into snowdrifts.

Character Development

• Cyrus: Demonstrates practical diplomacy by presenting cotton as a solution to Bovell’s poverty and climate problems. He remains attentive to his animals and is increasingly comfortable accepting Segalot’s care and companionship.
• Segalot: Publicly accompanies Cyrus despite Bovell having no churches, creating curiosity about his motives. He shows quiet protectiveness toward Cyrus, shielding him from the cold, and openly references their previous nights together.
• Gena Kozmo: Appears wary about the Pope’s unexpected visit but is quickly drawn into negotiations over cotton. His concern for his people’s living conditions becomes evident alongside his well-known ambition and love of warfare.
• Coliford: Reveals his intense devotion to wolves. He is thrilled by Ice Cream’s strength and enthusiastically recounts the encounter, though he tries to diplomatically describe Eggy’s disorderly contribution.
• Ice Cream: Displays impressive strength and wolf-like instincts by defeating a wild pack and earning Coliford’s admiration.
• Eggy: Remains energetic, impulsive, and comic, charging into danger without discipline but still assisting Ice Cream.
• Rice Cake: Enjoys exploring the snowy environment and remains closely cared for by Ice Cream.

Significant Themes

• Adaptation and survival: Bovell’s culture and lifestyle have been shaped by extreme cold, forcing its people to rely on animal hides and endure harsh conditions.
• Progress through trade and technology: Cotton represents a practical innovation that could improve health, comfort, and economic conditions in the Far North.
• Diplomacy and mutual benefit: Cyrus frames commerce as a way to support Bovell’s people while strengthening ties between kingdoms.
• Protection and intimacy: Segalot’s physical protection of Cyrus and their decision to share a room highlight their growing closeness.
• Nature versus civilization: The contrast between Bovell’s brutal wilderness and Cyrus’s imported goods reflects the tension between traditional survival methods and modernization.
• Humor amid hardship: The animals’ antics, especially Eggy’s chaotic behavior, lighten the otherwise severe setting.

Character Interactions

• Cyrus and Gena begin a potential commercial partnership through negotiations over cotton.
• Gena is puzzled by Segalot’s presence and concerned when he learns that Segalot and Cyrus will share a room.
• Segalot quietly cares for Cyrus, while Cyrus accepts that care with increasing ease.
• Coliford bonds enthusiastically with Ice Cream and the other animals, praising Ice Cream while diplomatically minimizing Eggy’s recklessness.

Chapter 152 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cyrus wakes in the Bovell Kingdom after accidentally sleeping beside Segalot, the Pope. He discovers that, while asleep, he had taken most of the blankets and curled around Segalot.
• Eggy’s repeated howls draw Cyrus and Segalot to the window. Outside, Eggy is attempting to impress a pack of Snow Wolves by standing on a rock and imitating Ice Cream’s dominance display.
• The wolves initially ignore Eggy. Although he eventually attracts attention, Ice Cream’s howl causes the pack to gather around Ice Cream instead, leaving Eggy sulking. Ice Cream later comforts him, restoring Eggy’s mood.
• Cyrus and Segalot observe the Far Northern landscape, learning that the current November weather is relatively mild and that the river will freeze only when winter becomes more severe.
• That afternoon, Cyrus and Gena Kozmo discuss Cotton and formally establish a trade partnership. Cyrus’s primary goal is to obtain Snow Goat wool, a valuable material with a soft inner layer and thick outer fur suited to extreme cold.
• Cyrus reflects on the future avalanche disaster described in the original novel. The avalanche will devastate the Bovell Kingdom’s highland settlements, destroying homes, food supplies, and wolf packs.
• The disaster will contribute to Gena’s decision to launch a war against other kingdoms. Combined with a previous epidemic and an approaching southward-moving cold wave, it will push the Western Continent into widespread poverty and conflict.
• Cyrus recognizes that his visit to Bovell is intended not only to secure resources but also to alter the novel’s predetermined plot and increase his Plot Deviation Value.

Character Developments

• Cyrus: Shows embarrassment and self-awareness after realizing how closely he clung to Segalot during sleep. He continues to think strategically, using trade and political relationships to prepare for the coming disasters and change the original storyline.
• Segalot: Demonstrates quiet attentiveness and physical protectiveness toward Cyrus by covering him with a blanket, opening the window for him, and warming his ears afterward. Their familiarity and comfort with one another become more apparent.
• Eggy: Displays his energetic, foolish, and attention-seeking personality by trying to imitate Ice Cream. His pride quickly turns to grievance when the wolves prefer Ice Cream, but he is easily reassured when Ice Cream comforts him.
• Ice Cream: Maintains his natural authority over the Snow Wolves while also showing affection toward Eggy.
• Gena Kozmo: Becomes willing to cooperate with Cyrus through the trade agreement. His future actions are placed in context: the coming avalanche and shortages will eventually drive him toward war.

Significant Themes

• Foreshadowing and prevention: The chapter gives extensive warning of the avalanche and the political turmoil it will cause, emphasizing Cyrus’s attempt to interfere with the original plot.
• Survival in harsh environments: The Far North’s climate, Snow Goats, wolf packs, and the people’s adaptations highlight the importance of warmth, food, shelter, and natural resources.
• Trade as diplomacy: Cyrus’s agreement with Gena shows how economic cooperation may help build relationships and potentially reduce future suffering.
• Affection and familiarity: Cyrus and Segalot’s shared morning, as well as Ice Cream’s comforting response to Eggy, emphasize bonds expressed through quiet physical care.
• The contrast between dignity and foolishness: Ice Cream acts as a powerful, respected leader, while Eggy comically imitates him without understanding how authority is earned.

Character Interactions

• Cyrus and Segalot: Share a warm, mildly embarrassing morning after sleeping in the same bed. Segalot takes care of Cyrus in the cold, while Cyrus is visibly flustered by their closeness.
• Eggy and Ice Cream: Eggy seeks Ice Cream’s recognition and tries to copy his behavior. Ice Cream ignores his performance at first but later reassures him by smoothing his fur.
• Eggy and the Snow Wolves: Eggy repeatedly attempts to gain their attention, but they ultimately follow Ice Cream instead.
• Cyrus and Gena Kozmo: Negotiate a partnership centered on Cotton and Snow Goat wool, linking Cyrus’s commercial aims with his broader effort to prepare the kingdom for disaster.

Chapter Summary: “White Wolf Appears in the Far North!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• A magnificent, unusually large White Wolf with pure white fur and ice-blue eyes is seen throughout the Far North, creating widespread excitement in the Bovell Kingdom.
• Because Snow Wolves have historically helped the people survive and are deeply revered, the White Wolf is regarded as almost a divine manifestation of the Creator God.
• The people are disappointed to learn that the White Wolf, named Ice Cream, belongs to Cyrus, the Lord of Desinia, rather than to the Bovell Kingdom. They begin urging King Gena Kozmo to obtain a wolf cub with White Wolf blood.
• Wolf trainer Coliford brings Gena numerous letters from citizens requesting that the White Wolf remain in the kingdom or participate in the Snow Wolf Blessing ceremony.
• Gena explains that Ice Cream shows little interest in the female wolves of the pack and prefers roaming the snowy wilderness or spending time with Cyrus, a Snow Fox, and a wolf-like dog.
• Gena asks Cyrus whether Ice Cream can participate in the kingdom’s traditional blessing festival. Cyrus agrees, but asks that the ceremony be moved to the Ice and Snow Castle and that as many citizens as possible attend.
• Cyrus’s request is motivated by the coming avalanche. He realizes that gathering the population at the castle may save the people living in the avalanche’s path.
• Five days later, the people gather for the festival, bringing gifts and supplies. When the White Wolf appears, an avalanche suddenly begins in the distant mountain range where many of them live.
• The crowd realizes that attending the ceremony has spared them from the disaster. As the avalanche advances, Ice Cream stands fearlessly on a snowy slope and howls, inspiring the people to see it as a divine guardian.

Character Developments

• Cyrus: Demonstrates foresight, compassion, and strategic thinking. He uses the citizens’ fascination with Ice Cream to persuade them to gather at a safer location, quietly turning a religious festival into a rescue effort.
• Gena Kozmo: Initially struggles with the citizens’ demands but proves receptive and responsible. He trusts Cyrus’s judgment, agrees to alter the festival, and issues the order that ultimately protects the kingdom’s people.
• Ice Cream: Becomes more than a rare and beautiful animal. Its independence, loyalty to Cyrus, and fearless stance before the avalanche transform it into a symbol of divine protection.
• Coliford and the citizens: Their persistent admiration for Ice Cream drives the plot. Their devotion begins as possessiveness and curiosity but becomes genuine religious awe after witnessing the avalanche and Ice Cream’s courage.
• Segalot: Cooperates with Cyrus’s plan and agrees to extend their stay so the festival can take place.

Significant Themes

• Faith and symbolism: The White Wolf represents divinity, protection, and the cultural heritage of the Bovell people.
• Nature’s power: The avalanche emphasizes humanity’s vulnerability before overwhelming natural forces.
• Leadership and sacrifice: Cyrus protects people indirectly, accepting inconvenience and using their beliefs for their survival rather than seeking praise.
• Community and shared identity: The festival gathers people from across the kingdom, reinforcing their common history and sense of homeland.
• Appearance versus true value: The citizens first desire Ice Cream because of its beauty and rarity, but its courage reveals a deeper significance beyond physical magnificence.
• Hope amid disaster: The blessing ceremony becomes both a spiritual event and a practical means of salvation, turning impending tragedy into a moment of collective faith.

Important Character Interactions

• Gena and Coliford: Coliford delivers the citizens’ letters, while Gena reacts with frustration but recognizes the strength of public feeling.
• Gena and Cyrus: Gena requests Ice Cream’s participation in the ceremony. Cyrus agrees while proposing the safer location and larger gathering.
• Cyrus and Segalot: Cyrus asks Segalot to remain in the kingdom longer, and Segalot supports the plan without objection.
• Ice Cream and the crowd: The White Wolf’s appearance initially inspires admiration; its fearless posture during the avalanche transforms admiration into intense worship and faith.

Chapter 154 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• An avalanche strikes a mountain near the Bovell Kingdom during the early Blessing Ceremony. Although it destroys homes and property, the festival crowd is unharmed because Gena moved the ceremony forward and summoned the population to the castle.
• Cyrus, Segalot, Gena, and the others realize that, had the ceremony occurred on its original date, many people might have been buried by the avalanche.
• The people interpret their survival as the White Wolf’s blessing and enthusiastically cheer Ice Cream, who is confused by their reaction.
• Gena thanks Cyrus for indirectly saving the kingdom’s people. Cyrus dismisses the event as coincidence.
• Despite the damage, the blessing ceremony continues. Only afterward does Gena order Coliford to help the homeless and assess the losses.
• Cyrus and the group leave Bovell Kingdom and return to Desinia Territory after nearly two months of travel and residence abroad.
• Their return coincides with the harvest of Sweet Potatoes and Corn. The Thorn Merchant Guild begins promoting numerous recipes, including boiled and roasted corn, corn soup, roasted and steamed sweet potatoes, porridge, cakes, and sweet-potato balls.
• Cotton seeds are stored for planting the following spring, while tomatoes, chili peppers, cotton, and cocoa remain crops for future development.
• At Komoy Fort’s school, Jack and his orphaned friends roast sweet potatoes over a fire. They reflect on how their lives have improved since coming to Desinia Territory.

Character Developments

• Gena becomes more aware of Cyrus’s wisdom and influence. He recognizes that Cyrus’s suggestions effectively saved the population, though Cyrus insists it was merely luck.
• Cyrus continues to show humility and refuses to take credit for preventing the disaster. He also demonstrates long-term planning through agricultural development and food diversification.
• Ice Cream becomes an important religious symbol to the people of Bovell Kingdom, who believe the White Wolf protected them.
• Segalot observes that Bovell’s devotion to the White Wolf reflects the kingdom’s distinct history and culture.
• Jack and his friends have adapted fully to life in Desinia. Jack displays responsibility by saving sweet potatoes for his younger brothers and recognizes the value of his new home.

Significant Themes

• Preparedness and coincidence: The avalanche highlights how seemingly ordinary decisions can have life-saving consequences.
• Faith and interpretation: The Bovell people attribute their survival to the White Wolf, while Cyrus and Gena understand that timing and circumstance also played a role.
• Cultural differences: Bovell’s people prioritize religious faith and the blessing ceremony even after suffering material losses.
• Food security and social progress: The successful cultivation of potatoes, corn, and sweet potatoes promises to eliminate hunger and improve living standards.
• Community and belonging: Jack and the other children regard their school as a family and a home, showing how security and companionship can replace the family structures they lost.
• Leadership and benevolence: Cyrus’s policies provide not only food but also education, shelter, and hope for vulnerable people.

Important Character Interactions

• Gena subtly acknowledges to Cyrus that his decisions may have saved the kingdom, while Cyrus refuses praise.
• Cyrus and Gena discuss Ice Cream’s significance and whether the White Wolf might remain in Bovell Kingdom. Cyrus explains that he will not force Ice Cream to stay.
• Segalot and Cyrus discuss how Bovell’s devotion differs from that of other nations.
• Jack and his classmates bond while preparing sweet potatoes, sharing memories of hardship and affirming that they are now a family.
• The children repeatedly praise Cyrus for giving them safety, education, food, and a peaceful life.

Chapter 155 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• In the Saint Airo Empire, Third Prince Kashu escapes Tum Tower and attempts to assassinate First Prince Warner and seize the throne.
• Kashu is captured while fleeing and brought before the royal family. The old king, who secretly helped Kashu escape and likely supported the assassination attempt, is restrained by Warner’s knights.
• Warner confronts his father, declaring that he knows of the king’s involvement and implying that the king will soon lose the throne. The king is subsequently confined to his room under the pretense that his illness has worsened.
• Warner sentences Kashu to death by hanging despite pleas from Kashu, the king, and Princess Rennal. Kashu is executed three days later.
• Following the king’s incapacitation, Warner ascends the throne with the royal family’s and empire’s support.
• In Desinia Territory, Cyrus introduces the Pope, Segalot, to chili-based dipping sauce. After initially being overwhelmed by raw dried chili, Segalot tries it with grilled meat and discovers that he enjoys the flavor.
• Cyrus and Segalot share a warm, increasingly intimate meal while eating grilled meat, hot pot vegetables, and roasted potatoes.
• Ferdinand and Judas arrive and report Kashu’s execution and Warner’s accession to the throne.

Character Developments

• Warner becomes increasingly ruthless and politically decisive. He abandons any remaining familial mercy, eliminates Kashu as a threat, and effectively removes his father from power before taking the throne.
• Kashu is reduced from an ambitious conspirator to a frightened, remorseful prisoner. His desperate pleas fail to move Warner, and he is executed for treason and attempted assassination.
• The old king is exposed as having enabled Kashu’s rebellion. His authority collapses, and he is physically restrained and confined by Warner.
• Rennal shows compassion toward both her father and Kashu, but ultimately remains powerless and chooses not to oppose Warner directly.
• Kien remains outwardly silent and politically cautious. Although he shows faint sympathy for Kashu, he avoids intervening.
• Cyrus and Segalot grow closer through playful, affectionate interaction. Their shared meal highlights Segalot’s willingness to trust Cyrus and try unfamiliar experiences.

Significant Themes

• Power and succession: The chapter depicts the brutal political struggle surrounding the imperial throne and Warner’s consolidation of power.
• Family loyalty versus political necessity: Warner’s decision to execute his brother demonstrates how royal relationships are subordinated to security and authority.
• The consequences of favoritism: Warner blames the king and queen’s indulgence for encouraging Kashu’s belief that he could replace the rightful heir.
• Fear as a political tool: Warner’s calm threats and control over the king show how authority can shift without an open battle.
• New experiences and cultural exchange: The chili scene contrasts the empire’s violent political upheaval with Cyrus’s peaceful development of food and agriculture.
• Trust and intimacy: Cyrus and Segalot’s shared food and physical closeness suggest their relationship is becoming more comfortable and affectionate.

Important Character Interactions

• Warner and the king: Warner openly confronts his father, strips him of practical authority, and makes clear that the throne will be his regardless of the king’s wishes.
• Warner and Kashu: Kashu begs for mercy, but Warner rejects him, arguing that his repeated ambition makes him a permanent danger.
• Rennal and Kien: Rennal wants to intervene on Kashu’s behalf, but Kien silently restrains her, recognizing the danger of opposing Warner.
• Cyrus and Segalot: Cyrus encourages Segalot to retry chili in a more palatable form. Segalot reciprocates by feeding Cyrus, creating a playful and intimate exchange.
• Ferdinand and Judas with Cyrus: They interrupt the meal to deliver the crucial political news that Kashu has been executed and Warner has become emperor.

Chapter 156 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• An unusually severe winter grips Visas. Freezing temperatures extinguish fires, freeze household water, halt river traffic, and bring heavy, continuous snowfall.
• Cyrus awakens at the castle to the same storm. With Black Sugar shielding him from the cold, he observes the snow covering Par Mountain and remarks that “it’s begun.”
• Cyrus goes to speak privately with Segalot, suggesting that the snowfall is connected to a larger development or impending crisis.
• The Saint Airo Empire also suffers under the storm. Travel and commerce stop, while impoverished commoners and slaves face starvation and death in the streets.
• King Warner becomes deeply troubled by the likely loss of life and the empire’s growing instability following the Black Death, political upheaval, and continued exploitation of the lower classes.
• Warner discusses the crisis with his brother, Prince Kien. He concludes that the empire’s social foundation is weakening and that the fief-holding nobles must be brought firmly under royal control. He plans to reclaim power from them to strengthen the monarchy and support future expansion.
• A message from the Holy See arrives at the imperial Saint Church via Qing Tuan. The letter announces that a second Saint Church will be established in the Desinia Territory.
• Cardinals Dempus and Malediz are shocked and confused, especially because the decision implies that His Holiness may not return to the empire. Malediz objects that the plan violates tradition and could provoke conflict with the imperial royal family, but Dempus reminds him that the Pope’s decision will not be reversed.

Character Developments

• Cyrus remains calm and affectionate despite the harsh weather, showing his close bond with Black Sugar. His cryptic statement that the event has “begun” indicates that he understands the snowfall’s broader significance.
• Warner develops from merely observing imperial problems to actively planning structural reform. He recognizes that poverty and oppression are destabilizing the empire and decides to centralize authority by limiting the nobles’ power.
• Kien initially treats winter deaths among the poor as an ordinary and unavoidable occurrence, but Warner’s argument forces him to confront the empire’s deeper crisis.
• Dempus and Malediz reveal contrasting reactions to the Pope’s decision. Dempus is more pragmatic, while the stricter Malediz struggles to accept such a dramatic break from tradition.

Significant Themes

• Natural disaster and social inequality: The extreme winter exposes the vulnerability of commoners and slaves, while nobles remain comparatively protected.
• Political instability: Warner realizes that the empire’s class structure is weakening from the bottom and may eventually collapse.
• Centralization of power: The contrast between Desinia’s centralized rule under Cyrus and the empire’s divided authority among fief-holding nobles becomes increasingly important.
• Tradition versus change: The establishment of a second Saint Church challenges centuries of religious and political precedent.
• Foreshadowing: The snowfall and Cyrus’s remark suggest that a major transformation or crisis is about to unfold.

Character Interactions

• Cyrus tenderly interacts with Black Sugar before seeking out Segalot for a serious private discussion.
• Warner and Kien debate whether the winter deaths are merely normal seasonal suffering or evidence of a much greater imperial crisis.
• Warner shares his intention to curb the nobles’ authority with Kien, signaling that he trusts his brother as a political confidant.
• Dempus and Malediz argue over the Pope’s decision to establish a second Saint Church, with Malediz voicing disbelief and Dempus emphasizing the futility of opposing His Holiness.

Chapter 157 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cyrus plans to work with the Saint Church and the Thorn Merchant Guild to distribute new crops throughout the various regions. The guild would supply the crops, while church clergy would distribute and explain them to the people.
• Pope Segalot unexpectedly rejects the proposal, particularly regarding the Saint Airo Empire. He explains that the empire is unstable after an epidemic, unrest, territorial losses, and the approaching cold wave.
• Segalot reveals that Warner Gales intends to reclaim territories and authority previously granted to the nobles. After consolidating power internally, Warner will likely attempt to recover lands lost to the Bouvier Kingdom, the Bia Kingdom, and Desinia Territory.
• Because distributing new crops in Saint Airo could give Warner an advantage or interfere with the empire’s political turmoil, Segalot advises Cyrus to postpone the plan and prevent Warner from carrying out his second step.
• Segalot offers this secret information in exchange for permission to establish a second Saint Church in Desinia Territory, allowing him to remain near Cyrus permanently.
• The conversation shifts from politics to romance. Segalot openly expresses jealousy toward anyone who might marry Cyrus and admits he is hostile toward potential romantic rivals.
• He asks whether Cyrus will allow him into his arms and promises that he can wait, even if doing so means breaking conventional rules.
• Overwhelmed and embarrassed, Cyrus leaves. Back in his room, he seeks comfort from Black Sugar and Egg Yolk while questioning whether he should accept or reject Segalot’s feelings.

Character Developments

• Cyrus: Demonstrates growing political awareness and concern for preventing war and preparing for the coming Little Ice Age. However, Segalot’s confession leaves him flustered and emotionally confused. He realizes that he may need to confront his own feelings rather than rely solely on the system’s Plot Deviation Value.
• Segalot: Reveals both his strategic intelligence and his deep romantic attachment to Cyrus. He uses political information to negotiate for a permanent place beside Cyrus, openly acknowledges his jealousy, and assures Cyrus that he will wait patiently.
• Warner Gales: Emerges as a more ambitious and potentially dangerous political force than the original novel suggested. His plan to reclaim noble territories and lost lands may destabilize the Saint Airo Empire and threaten Desinia.
• Black Sugar and Egg Yolk: Provide Cyrus with emotional comfort after his unsettling but significant conversation with Segalot.

Significant Themes

• Political instability and preparation: The coming cold wave threatens famine, unrest, and war, making food distribution and advance planning crucial.
• Power and influence: The church’s widespread presence makes it an essential tool for spreading new crops, while Warner’s attempt to centralize power threatens the existing noble order.
• Love versus political duty: A serious discussion about food security and international strategy becomes an intimate confrontation with Segalot’s feelings.
• Choice and uncertainty: Cyrus must decide whether to reciprocate Segalot’s affection, refuse him, or continue delaying a decision. His personal choices may also affect the broader plot and the system’s deviation value.
• Breaking conventions: Segalot’s willingness to establish a church in Desinia and disregard traditional boundaries reflects his determination to remain with Cyrus.

Character Interactions

• Segalot initially cares for Cyrus in a gentle, domestic manner by pouring tea and fixing his clothing.
• The two discuss Warner’s political plans, with Segalot guiding Cyrus toward a more strategic approach.
• Segalot then teases and presses Cyrus romantically, touching his hair, expressing jealousy, and asking to be accepted.
• Cyrus reacts with embarrassment, physical nervousness, and avoidance, but he does not directly reject Segalot.
• Afterward, Cyrus confides indirectly in Black Sugar and Egg Yolk, using their affection to calm himself while considering his feelings.

Chapter 158 Summary

Key plot points and events

• The cold wave continues to cause widespread disasters, including heavy snow, freezing temperatures, strong winds, and severe transportation difficulties.
• Cyrus personally inspects the planting area on Par Mountain, where greenhouses, cloth coverings, and temperature controls are being used to protect crops. These agricultural precautions have also been distributed throughout the territory by the Thorns Chamber of Commerce and the churches.
• After resolving a problem in the greenhouse, Cyrus walks back toward the castle with Judas. Because the snow has made roads impassable, the usual carriage service can no longer operate.
• Near the frozen Par Lake, Cyrus discovers Pope Segalot standing alone in the snow. He sends Judas and the servants away, then approaches the Pope.
• Cyrus gives Segalot a hand warmer and gloves, showing concern for his exposure to the cold.
• Segalot admits that Cyrus has been avoiding him since he confessed his feelings. He says he will wait for Cyrus’s answer but does not want Cyrus to avoid him—and makes clear that he hopes for an affirmative response.
• Segalot openly declares that he is “guilty” because he has fallen in love with Cyrus, whom he compares to a beautiful rose protected by thorns.
• He kisses Cyrus beneath the umbrella. Though startled and embarrassed, Cyrus does not reject him. When Segalot asks whether he hates the kiss, Cyrus cannot answer directly.
• Segalot continues teasing and kissing him until Cyrus bites his lip. Their exchange becomes playful and flirtatious, despite Cyrus’s unresolved uncertainty.

Character developments

• Cyrus: Continues struggling with the contradiction between Segalot’s role as Pope—someone who condemns same-sex relationships—and his personal confession of love. Although cautious and emotionally defensive, Cyrus demonstrates concern for Segalot’s welfare and does not resist his affection outright. His embarrassment and inability to say he dislikes the kiss suggest that he may return Segalot’s feelings.
• Segalot: Becomes more direct and emotionally vulnerable. He acknowledges his guilt, confesses his love without hesitation, and reassures Cyrus that he will not force him, although his insistence that he will accept only the answer he wants reveals possessiveness and determination. His inner thoughts also expose a darker fear of losing Cyrus and an impulse to imprison him if necessary.
• Judas: Remains dutiful and literal-minded, carefully carrying out Cyrus’s instructions—even misunderstanding Cyrus’s joking request about bringing a sled, rope, and Eggy next time.

Significant themes

• Love versus religious doctrine: Segalot’s feelings conflict with the moral standards he is expected to uphold as Pope, making his love both personally transformative and politically or spiritually dangerous.
• Emotional hesitation and consent: Cyrus needs time to understand his feelings, while Segalot presses for closeness. The chapter balances Cyrus’s uncertainty with Segalot’s attempts to reassure him, though Segalot’s possessive language complicates the idea of freely given consent.
• Protection and vulnerability: The harsh winter reflects the characters’ emotional states. Cyrus protects the crops and worries about Segalot’s exposure, while Segalot attempts to protect and claim Cyrus emotionally.
• Isolation: The snow-covered landscape and frozen lake create a secluded setting where the two can confront their feelings away from others.

Character interactions

• Cyrus and Judas interact as lord and loyal but occasionally overly literal servant during their return from the planting area.
• Cyrus and Segalot share a mixture of tenderness, tension, teasing, and physical intimacy. Cyrus cares for Segalot by giving him warmth and gloves, while Segalot responds with confessions and kisses.
• Their interaction reveals a power struggle: Cyrus retreats into caution, while Segalot attempts to draw him out, promising patience but also insisting on the response he desires.

Chapter 159 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cyrus and Segalot return to the castle after spending time outside. Segalot has a split lip, secretly caused by Cyrus biting him, though Cyrus tells the servants it was a tree-branch injury.
• Cyrus orders Judas to bring medicine for Segalot. Segalot pretends not to need treatment but deliberately emphasizes the wound, prompting Cyrus to have it treated.
• In the winter room, Cyrus reunites with the fluffy animals: Coalball, Rollie, Rice Cake, and Eggy. They eagerly crowd around him, while Segalot is pushed aside.
• Cyrus cares for the animals and observes that Coalball has gained weight. Rollie asks to be held, Rice Cake clings to Cyrus’s shoulder, and Eggy supervises while Segalot’s lip is treated.
• Winter intensifies across Desinia. The Cogit Sea and major rivers begin freezing, making travel and construction impossible. Rice Ball leads the orca pod to warmer waters until spring.
• Segalot’s plan to build a second Saint Church in Desinia Territory is delayed by the weather. The cardinals also choose not to announce the plan until construction actually begins.
• Reports spread of bandit attacks, burned villages, murdered civilians, church occupations, and increasingly widespread uprisings by commoners and slaves against oppressive nobles.
• King Warner uses the unrest to expand his authority. The cardinals realize that his agents secretly provoked some rebellions, allowing Warner to send cavalry, eliminate troublesome nobles, and reclaim their territories.
• The Saint Church chooses not to intervene immediately, partly because Warner has avoided directly killing clergy and because it cannot currently contact Segalot.

Character Developments

• Cyrus remains outwardly composed but shows a playful and intimate side with Segalot, while quickly returning to his affectionate, devoted role as caretaker of the fluffy animals.
• Segalot displays a sly, teasing vulnerability by drawing attention to his injured lip and allowing Cyrus to care for him. His relationship with Cyrus continues to show increasing familiarity and physical intimacy.
• Judas becomes confused and uncomfortable when asked to treat the Pope’s lip, sensing that Cyrus’s explanation is suspicious but lacking the courage to question it.
• Warner reveals himself to be far more calculating as king than he was as prince. He manipulates popular unrest to consolidate royal power and absorb noble territories.
• Dempus and Malediz demonstrate political awareness and restraint. They understand Warner’s scheme but decide to observe rather than openly oppose him.

Significant Themes

• Intimacy beneath formal roles: Cyrus and Segalot’s private teasing and care contrast with their public positions as lord and Pope.
• Affection and domestic comfort: The winter room and Cyrus’s dedication to the animals provide warmth and stability amid a dangerous, increasingly chaotic world.
• Political manipulation: Warner exploits genuine oppression and rebellion for his own ambitions, showing how revolutionary movements can be redirected by those seeking power.
• Social inequality and retribution: The suffering of commoners and slaves eventually erupts into violence against nobles, reflecting the destructive consequences of prolonged exploitation.
• Winter as isolation and paralysis: Freezing seas, rivers, and roads halt travel, communication, construction, and political coordination, allowing unrest and hidden schemes to develop unchecked.
• The danger of unchecked resentment: Once social restraints collapse, both oppressed groups and rulers unleash violence and ambition.

Character Interactions

• Cyrus and Segalot: Cyrus disguises the cause of Segalot’s injury and ensures it is treated, while Segalot knowingly acts pitiful and watches Cyrus’s reaction.
• Cyrus and the fluffy animals: Coalball, Rollie, Rice Cake, and Eggy all compete for Cyrus’s attention, highlighting his deep bond with them.
• Segalot and Eggy: Eggy’s suspiciously timed howls make Segalot believe the dog is insulting him. Cyrus playfully defends Eggy and asks Segalot not to hold it against “a child.”
• Cyrus and Rice Ball: Cyrus persuades the reluctant orca leader to migrate temporarily to warmer waters, showing mutual affection and trust.
• Dempus and Malediz: The cardinals discuss Warner’s hidden strategy and agree to wait, since they cannot contact Segalot and lack grounds for direct confrontation.

Chapter 160 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Winter continues to devastate Desinia and neighboring regions despite Cyrus’s preparations. Snow, freezing temperatures, shortages of fuel, and interrupted communication cause widespread hardship.
• When spring arrives and travel resumes, news emerges that the Saint Airo Empire suffered enormous losses. Nobles, commoners, and slaves died from starvation, exposure, or rebellion.
• King Warner Gales exploits the crisis to reclaim territories whose lords died and consolidates much of the empire’s power under the crown. He also wins over several nobles.
• It is revealed that Warner intends to marry Shamir Phoebe, daughter of Marquis Galli. Cyrus is shocked because Shamir is the original novel’s female protagonist, and the marriage occurs far earlier than expected.
• Cyrus reflects on how radically events have diverged from the original story. Important characters who were originally supposed to influence Shamir’s relationship with the male lead have not yet appeared, yet the central couple is already preparing to marry.
• Cyrus receives an invitation to the royal wedding and decides to attend. His reasons include meeting Brali, chieftain of the Kadi Tribe, and discussing the establishment of a second Saint Church in Desinia.
• His journey also relates to his uncertain relationship with Pope Segalot. Cyrus is increasingly affectionate toward the Pope but remains cautious because the Plot Deviation Value is only 92%, and the original storyline could theoretically reassert itself.
• In the Saint Airo Empire, Cyrus and Segalot are welcomed by Prince Kane and stay at Sheri Hall. Grand Duke Orville and Archibald Cavendish are also present.
• Archibald warmly embraces Cyrus and teases him about whether he was missed. Cyrus admits he thought of him and calls him “Archie,” showing their continued familiarity.
• Cyrus agrees to let Orville return to Desinia with him after the wedding and invites Archibald as well to discuss agriculture, cotton cultivation, and new crops.
• Segalot becomes visibly jealous while watching Cyrus interact warmly with Archibald. Cyrus notices and takes the Pope’s hand, helping him put on a glove because his hand is cold.
• After Cyrus and Segalot leave for the Saint Church, Archibald comments that Cyrus and the Pope’s relationship seems closer. Orville fails to understand the implication.
• Cyrus is stopped outside the Saint Church by Shamir, who asks to speak privately. He refuses, choosing to remain in public.
• Shamir tearfully confesses that she does not want to marry the king, is only obeying her father, and has always admired Cyrus. She then flees, leaving Cyrus stunned.

Character Developments

• Cyrus: Becomes more politically observant, analyzing Warner’s consolidation of power and the consequences of the altered plot. He also shows growing comfort and affection toward Segalot, openly caring for him and even scolding him about wearing gloves. Nevertheless, he remains emotionally cautious because of the unresolved Plot Deviation Value.
• Segalot: Displays restrained jealousy toward Archibald. Though he does not openly object, his mood visibly darkens until Cyrus reassures him through physical affection.
• Archibald: Remains openly affectionate and familiar with Cyrus, hugging him and teasing him. His awareness of Cyrus and Segalot’s growing intimacy suggests romantic or possessive interest.
• Orville: Continues to focus more on the animals—especially Rollie—than on subtle interpersonal tensions. He remains eager to work with Cyrus on agricultural and territorial matters.
• Shamir: Is revealed to be unwilling to marry King Warner and emotionally conflicted about her situation. Her confession that she admires Cyrus introduces a major unexpected complication.
• Warner Gales: Strengthens his authority by exploiting the empire’s winter crisis, reclaiming territories, controlling nobles, and arranging a politically advantageous marriage.

Significant Themes

• Political consolidation through crisis: Warner uses disaster, rebellion, and the deaths of territorial lords to centralize imperial power.
• The instability of fate and narrative: Cyrus recognizes that the world has diverged dramatically from the original novel, making established expectations unreliable.
• Love versus obligation: Shamir’s forced marriage contrasts with Cyrus’s increasingly voluntary and intimate bond with Segalot.
• Jealousy and emotional ambiguity: Segalot and Archibald’s reactions reveal competing affections around Cyrus, while Cyrus remains hesitant to define his own relationship with the Pope.
• Recovery and renewal: The arrival of spring brings restored travel and communication, though the political and personal consequences of winter continue unfolding.

Important Character Interactions

• Cyrus and Ferdinand: Ferdinand reports Warner’s political gains and the impending royal marriage, prompting Cyrus to reassess the altered plot.
• Cyrus and Segalot: Cyrus comforts and cares for the Pope by holding his hand and putting on his glove, signaling increased intimacy.
• Cyrus and Archibald: Their warm reunion includes an embrace, teasing, and Cyrus using the familiar name “Archie.”
• Archibald and Orville: Archibald notices Cyrus and Segalot’s growing closeness, but Orville cannot understand his concern.
• Cyrus and Shamir: Shamir unexpectedly confesses her admiration for Cyrus and reveals her reluctance to marry Warner, creating a new emotional and political complication.