Chapter Summaries

Chapter 161 Summary

• Rumors about Phoebe and Desinia: After Shamir Phoebe publicly admits her admiration for Lord Desinia, witnesses immediately begin whispering about her relationship with him and the possible impact on her rumored marriage to the king. The incident quickly becomes the subject of gossip throughout the capital. Cyrus is embarrassed, while Pope Segalot’s mood worsens noticeably. Cardinal Dempus teases Cyrus about being “charming,” and Cyrus prevents Segalot from making an even more provocative remark.
• Church negotiations and the Belanka garden: Cyrus and Segalot meet with church officials to discuss establishing a second Saint Church in Desinia Territory. Afterwards, Segalot shows Cyrus the magnificent Belanka flowers growing in the Pope’s residence. He explains that he personally cultivated them because they are difficult to grow. One Belanka turned red when he was born—an alleged sign of divine favor—but it eventually withered. Segalot suggests moving the flowers to Desinia Castle and growing red Belanka there for Cyrus, implying his intention to remain closely involved in Cyrus’s life and residence. Cyrus preserves one flower in a book as a keepsake.
• Arrival of the Kadi Tribe: At the Sherry Inn, Cyrus initially mistakes a black panther named Sachi for Black Sugar. Segalot explains that Sachi belongs to the Kadi Tribe, whose new leader, Brali, has arrived. Brali recognizes Segalot from years earlier, when his father brought him to the empire to seek the Holy See’s protection and presented the Pope with a black-panther cub. Sachi and Black Sugar are siblings, with Black Sugar being the elder sister.
• Black Sugar and Sachi’s confrontation: Sachi approaches Cyrus curiously, but Black Sugar suddenly leaps from the inn and attacks her. The two panthers enter a tense standoff, alarming everyone because they could easily injure bystanders. Cyrus calms Black Sugar by embracing her and assuring her that she is his favorite. Her affectionate response demonstrates the deep bond and trust between them. Once the danger passes, Brali is impressed by Black Sugar’s strength, intelligence, and attachment to Cyrus.
• Character interactions and dynamics: Brali develops immediate respect and affection for Cyrus because of his care for Black Sugar and his appreciation of panthers. Segalot, however, becomes subtly jealous and interrupts when Brali suggests discussing the animals with Cyrus, pulling Cyrus away and claiming he has matters to attend to. This reinforces Segalot’s possessive feelings toward Cyrus. The chapter also highlights Cyrus’s compassionate relationship with animals and the growing connection between him and the Kadi Tribe through Black Sugar.
• Themes: The chapter emphasizes public rumor and political reputation, possessiveness and romantic tension, the symbolic relationship between divine flowers and divine favor, and the importance of loyalty and companionship across cultural boundaries.

Chapter 162 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• King Yasa Derick of the Bia Kingdom and King Gena Kozmo of the Bovell Kingdom arrive at Sheri Hall together. Yasa reveals that he deliberately waited for Gena so they could travel to the Saint Airo Empire together.
• Yasa meets Cyrus for the first time and compliments both his powerful beasts and his beauty, comparing him to a rose.
• After dinner, Cyrus, the Pope Segalot, Orville, Archibald, Brali, and the visiting kings gather in the main hall to talk.
• The atmosphere becomes more relaxed because of Sachi and Black Sugar, the two black panthers. Although initially tense, they begin sniffing and interacting as though forming a bond.
• Their friendly contact turns into a fight when Sachi approaches Cyrus and receives his attention. Black Sugar becomes jealous or possessive, attacks him, and quickly gains the upper hand.
• Cyrus stops Black Sugar by embracing and soothing her. Brali checks Sachi and explains that, in the Kadi Tribe, fighting can be a way for black panthers to express affection and seek closeness.
• The guests eventually retire for the night. Cyrus and Segalot stay in adjacent rooms, while Walker takes the other beasts to their own quarters.
• On the balcony, Segalot admits that he is unhappy. Cyrus comforts him with an embrace, but Segalot asks for a different kind of comfort and passionately kisses him.
• Segalot holds Cyrus on his lap and continues kissing him, revealing a much more intense and unrestrained side of himself.
• Meanwhile, Orville arrives at Sheri Hall to speak with Cyrus. As he approaches the balcony, he unexpectedly sees Cyrus and Segalot embracing and kissing, leaving him shocked and visibly upset.

Character Developments

• Cyrus: Continues to act as a gentle, calming figure for his beasts and those around him. He becomes more physically affectionate and emotionally responsive toward Segalot, taking the initiative to comfort him.
• Segalot: His normally restrained and aloof personality gives way to passionate desire. He openly admits his unhappiness and seeks intimacy from Cyrus, suggesting that his feelings have deepened considerably.
• Black Sugar: Displays a stubborn, possessive temperament, particularly regarding Cyrus’s attention. Her attack on Sachi appears motivated less by hostility than by jealousy or a desire to assert her place beside Cyrus.
• Sachi: Shows curiosity and possible affection toward Black Sugar, deliberately approaching her and even provoking her according to Orville and Brali’s interpretations. He remains calm despite losing the fight.
• Brali: Demonstrates his strong affection for black panthers and provides cultural context for Sachi’s behavior, viewing the fight as a possible sign of brotherly attachment.
• Orville: Maintains his usual composure until witnessing Cyrus and Segalot together. His astonishment and clenched fist imply emotional shock, jealousy, or growing personal feelings toward Cyrus.
• Yasa Derick: Is introduced as gentle, sociable, and diplomatic. His friendly relationship with Gena contrasts with the more strained political atmosphere surrounding the gathering.

Significant Themes

• Affection expressed through conflict: The panthers’ fight reflects the Kadi Tribe’s belief that combat can signify interest, closeness, or affection.
• Jealousy and possessiveness: Black Sugar’s reaction to Sachi receiving Cyrus’s attention parallels the emotional tensions emerging among the human characters.
• Emotional vulnerability: Segalot openly reveals his dissatisfaction and desire, abandoning his usual emotional restraint.
• Romantic tension: Cyrus’s growing intimacy with Segalot becomes more explicit, while Orville’s discovery introduces a potentially serious emotional complication.
• Public composure versus private desire: The dignified political gathering contrasts sharply with the passionate encounter on the balcony.

Character Interactions

• Cyrus and Yasa: Yasa compliments Cyrus, while Cyrus responds politely but somewhat awkwardly.
• Sachi and Black Sugar: Their attempted bonding turns into a territorial or jealousy-driven fight.
• Cyrus and Black Sugar: Cyrus restrains and comforts her like a beloved companion, recognizing her stubbornness and emotional grievance.
• Brali and Sachi: Brali treats Sachi affectionately and interprets his actions through Kadi cultural customs.
• Cyrus and Segalot: Cyrus comforts Segalot physically, leading to a passionate kiss and a more intimate exchange.
• Walker and Orville: Walker allows Orville to proceed to Cyrus’s rooms after recognizing that Orville has personal business with him.
• Orville, Cyrus, and Segalot: Orville unintentionally witnesses their intimate moment, ending the chapter on a tense cliffhanger.

Chapter 163 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cyrus wakes up embarrassed after kissing the Pope, Segalot, on the balcony the previous night. His lips are swollen and numb, and he regrets not kicking Segalot more before they parted.
• Cyrus and Segalot encounter each other outside Cyrus’s room. Their exchanged looks and teasing reveal their growing intimacy.
• At breakfast, Grand Duke Orville appears exhausted and emotionally distressed. Upon seeing Cyrus, he drops his plate and abruptly leaves, alarming Archibald.
• Archibald informs Cyrus that the king’s engagement banquet will take place the following evening, with the wedding scheduled only five days later. The unusually short interval suggests that the king may be in a hurry.
• Yasa reveals that Marquis Galli’s daughter, Shamir, has been confined at home after publicly confessing her feelings for Cyrus during the previous day’s events.
• Segalot protects Cyrus from teasing about the incident, while Archibald jokingly blames Cyrus’s charm. Segalot retaliates by mentioning that Archibald is being pursued by Tido, a duke’s daughter.
• Archibald firmly denies any intention of marrying Tido. He admits that he already likes someone but is uncertain whether he should reveal his feelings. His reaction suggests that his feelings may be directed toward Cyrus.
• After breakfast, Segalot leaves to handle the Holy See’s responsibilities related to the upcoming royal engagement and wedding.
• Cyrus tries on his formal clothes for the engagement banquet. The outfit fits well except for a tight collar, which Judas arranges to have altered.
• Orville visits Cyrus privately and reveals that he witnessed Cyrus kissing Segalot the previous night. Confused and troubled, he asks whether two men can have a relationship—and then directly asks whether he and Cyrus could do the same.

Character Developments

• Cyrus: Becomes increasingly self-conscious about his intimacy with Segalot but accepts that relationships between men are possible. He remains sincere and somewhat oblivious to Archibald’s apparent romantic feelings.
• Segalot: Displays possessiveness and protectiveness toward Cyrus, stopping others from teasing him and reacting sharply when Archibald touches him. Their relationship is becoming openly affectionate.
• Orville: Suffers through a sleepless night after witnessing Cyrus and Segalot’s kiss. His confusion turns into a direct exploration of his own feelings, culminating in his hesitant question about being with Cyrus.
• Archibald: Shows jealousy and emotional conflict. He admits to loving someone but fears revealing it, while his reactions toward Cyrus imply that Cyrus may be the person he cares for.
• Judas: Continues to act as Cyrus’s attentive and efficient aide, helping him prepare for the engagement banquet.
• Shamir: Has been confined by her family after her public confession to Cyrus, demonstrating the social consequences of her actions.

Significant Themes

• Romantic rivalry and jealousy: Segalot, Archibald, and now Orville each show signs of competing emotional interest in Cyrus.
• Awakening romantic awareness: Orville begins questioning his assumptions about love and same-sex relationships, while Archibald struggles with whether to confess his feelings.
• Public reputation and political marriage: Shamir’s confinement and the rushed royal wedding highlight how romantic choices are controlled by noble families and political expectations.
• Possessiveness and intimacy: Segalot’s protective behavior and Cyrus’s natural dependence on him suggest that their bond is becoming more serious, even if Cyrus remains embarrassed by it.
• Misunderstanding and emotional innocence: Cyrus does not fully recognize the romantic implications of the attention he receives, creating tension and humor among the characters.

Character Interactions

• Cyrus and Segalot exchange embarrassed glances and subtle teasing after their kiss, while Segalot openly guards Cyrus from unwanted remarks.
• Archibald touches Cyrus affectionately and jokes about his effect on Shamir, but Segalot intervenes, prompting a tense exchange between the two men.
• Cyrus innocently congratulates Archibald on his supposed marriage prospects, unaware that Archibald’s conflicted feelings may concern him.
• Orville confronts Cyrus privately about the kiss and, after learning that men can be romantically involved, tentatively asks whether he and Cyrus could share such a relationship.

Chapter 164 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Orville abruptly confesses his romantic interest in Cyrus, reasoning that since men can be together, he should be allowed to kiss Cyrus as well.
• He asks whether Cyrus dislikes him or is already involved with Pope Segalot. When Cyrus admits he does not dislike Orville but refuses to accept his advances, Orville proposes that Cyrus become his “actual Duchess.”
• Cyrus rejects him firmly, though Orville remains determined and insists he would be a better choice than the Pope.
• Ferdinand interrupts to announce that Old Thomas, president of the Ed Merchant Guild, has arrived to discuss cooperation.
• Thomas seeks an exclusive partnership with Cyrus concerning Samuel Fern’s new crops and the establishment of hospitals. He is especially interested in the crops’ enormous yields and their potential to transform agriculture and food production.
• Cyrus declines to cooperate for the time being, explaining that he has concerns and is not yet prepared to work with another merchant guild. Thomas accepts the delay but asks for a definite answer eventually.
• Cyrus avoids Orville for the rest of the day, while Segalot remains occupied at the Saint Church.
• That night, Cyrus unexpectedly encounters Segalot and Orville speaking in the corridor. Orville questions Segalot about whether the Pope and nobles can disregard Holy See doctrine, particularly regarding relationships between men.
• Cyrus interrupts the conversation by accidentally allowing Eggy to run into the corridor. Orville avoids finishing his question.
• Before leaving, Orville kisses Cyrus on the forehead and wishes him sweet dreams, shocking both Cyrus and Segalot.

Character Developments

• Cyrus: Becomes increasingly exasperated by Orville’s aggressive courtship and clearly rejects the idea of becoming his partner. He is also cautious about commercial alliances, preferring to control the spread of the new crops and delaying cooperation with the Ed Merchant Guild. His embarrassment over his closeness with Segalot remains evident.
• Orville: Shifts from indirect interest to open pursuit. He is persistent, emotionally bold, and willing to challenge social and religious conventions. His forehead kiss demonstrates that he intends to compete directly with Segalot despite Cyrus’s refusal.
• Segalot: Presents himself as tolerant and pragmatic when discussing the Holy See’s doctrines, admitting that old rules may no longer be entirely correct and that exceptions exist. His composure changes sharply when Orville kisses Cyrus, revealing jealousy or possessiveness.
• Old Thomas: Shows strong business instincts and genuine enthusiasm for the economic and agricultural potential of the new crops. Although disappointed by Cyrus’s refusal, he remains determined to pursue future cooperation.
• Eggy: Provides comic relief and unintentionally interrupts a potentially revealing conversation between Orville and Segalot.

Significant Themes

• Romantic rivalry and jealousy: Orville openly positions himself as a rival to Segalot, while Segalot’s reaction to the kiss suggests growing emotional investment in Cyrus.
• Challenging social and religious norms: Orville questions whether religious rules concerning male relationships should be absolute, and Segalot acknowledges that doctrine can change and may contain exceptions.
• Political and economic control: Cyrus carefully manages access to the new crops, recognizing their power to reshape agriculture and the balance of wealth.
• Persistence versus personal boundaries: Orville continues pursuing Cyrus despite repeated rejection, while Cyrus struggles to maintain control over an increasingly complicated emotional situation.
• Reform and transformation: The new crops symbolize broader changes in food production, commerce, and society.

Important Character Interactions

• Cyrus and Orville: Orville confesses, proposes a relationship, and is rejected, but he refuses to give up. Their conversation emphasizes Cyrus’s discomfort and Orville’s determination.
• Cyrus and Old Thomas: Cyrus hears the Ed Merchant Guild’s proposal but declines cooperation, maintaining his cautious, strategic approach.
• Orville and Segalot: Their corridor conversation begins as a polite exchange but develops into a veiled discussion about whether the Pope can ignore religious restrictions.
• Orville and Cyrus in front of Segalot: Orville deliberately kisses Cyrus’s forehead before leaving, making his romantic intentions unmistakable and provoking Segalot’s immediate reaction.

Chapter 165 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cyrus and Pope Saigalo discuss the previous night’s indiscretion, which Orville accidentally witnessed. Cyrus insists it was not his fault and rejects Saigalo’s attempts to kiss him again, while Saigalo playfully but possessively hints at wanting to keep Cyrus away from others.
• Saigalo asks Cyrus when he will give him a definite answer about their relationship, revealing that he is still waiting for Cyrus to accept his feelings.
• The next morning, Bishop Paul delivers a gift from Saigalo: an elaborate brooch featuring a red gemstone carved into a blooming rose, framed by gold and silver sun-and-moon motifs. Saigalo has apparently commissioned it long in advance and wants Cyrus to wear it to the king’s engagement banquet.
• Cyrus is delighted by the brooch and agrees to wear it. Its rose design complements the Desinia family emblem and draws considerable attention at the banquet.
• At Sheri Hall, Chief Brali praises the brooch and mistakenly assumes it was given by a noblewoman as a romantic gesture. Cyrus clarifies that the giver was a man, though he avoids openly naming Saigalo.
• Orville recognizes the brooch as a gift from the pope and reflects uneasily on the fact that Saigalo’s affection for Cyrus is becoming increasingly obvious.
• Princess Lennar and Prince Kien discuss the king’s upcoming marriage to Shamir Phoebe. Kien explains that the marriage is politically necessary and intended to strengthen the king’s power, regardless of love.
• Lennar points out that Shamir loves someone else and had even confessed her feelings outside the Saint Church. Kien criticizes the situation but reassures Lennar that, unlike Shamir, she will be allowed to marry the person she loves.
• Cyrus, Orville, Archibald, and the others arrive at the royal palace, where Lennar guides them into the banquet hall.
• Orville is briefly captivated by Lennar’s beauty, red dress, rose ornament, and rose perfume, though he quickly conceals his reaction.
• The banquet hall is filled with red roses because Shamir demanded them as the condition for attending the engagement. The roses also symbolize the Desinia family, subtly emphasizing that the royal marriage is one of political convenience rather than love.
• Cyrus attracts widespread attention because of his beauty, pale attire, and striking rose brooch. He ignores the whispers and searches for Saigalo, who has not yet appeared.
• Archibald encourages Cyrus to try alcohol now that he is an adult. Cyrus drinks a cocktail and quickly develops a charming blush, drawing even more attention.
• The chapter ends with the announcement that the king and Shamir have arrived.

Character Developments

• Cyrus: Remains embarrassed and defensive about his intimacy with Saigalo, but he clearly treasures Saigalo’s thoughtful gift. He grows more comfortable participating in adult noble society, though alcohol affects him quickly.
• Saigalo: Displays a playful, affectionate, and possessive side. His metaphor about enclosing Cyrus in a garden reveals strong romantic feelings, while his request for a definite answer shows he wants their relationship formally acknowledged.
• Orville: Becomes increasingly aware of Saigalo and Cyrus’s relationship. He recognizes the significance of the brooch and appears unsettled by the pope’s open claim over Cyrus.
• Archibald: Acts in a familiar, protective manner toward Cyrus and encourages him to experience wine and cocktails.
• Lennar: Shows sympathy for Shamir’s difficult position but also carries resentment toward her for publicly confessing love elsewhere. Lennar’s own romantic feelings are hinted at when she blushes at Kien’s suggestion that she marry someone she loves.
• Kien: Presents himself as pragmatic and politically minded, viewing royal marriage as a tool for power while supporting Lennar’s freedom to choose her own partner.
• Shamir: Does not appear directly, but her unwillingness to marry the king and her love for another person strongly influence the banquet’s atmosphere.

Significant Themes

• Love versus political duty: The king and Shamir’s engagement represents a strategic royal alliance rather than mutual affection.
• Possessive love and freedom: Saigalo longs to keep Cyrus exclusively for himself but recognizes that Cyrus would resist being controlled.
• Symbolism of roses: Roses represent the Desinia family, Cyrus’s beauty, romantic love, and the conflict surrounding the royal marriage.
• Public image and hidden relationships: Cyrus and Saigalo must conceal their intimacy, while their feelings increasingly become visible through gestures such as the brooch.
• Marriage and personal choice: The contrast between Shamir’s lack of freedom and Lennar’s comparatively privileged position highlights how rank and political importance shape romantic possibilities.

Important Character Interactions

• Cyrus and Saigalo: Flirtatious and emotionally charged; Cyrus resists Saigalo’s advances, while Saigalo seeks reassurance and a commitment.
• Cyrus and Bishop Paul: Paul explains the meaning and effort behind Saigalo’s gift, helping Cyrus understand its importance.
• Cyrus and Chief Brali: Brali innocently misinterprets the brooch’s romantic implications, prompting Cyrus to reveal that its giver is male.
• Orville and Archibald: Orville hints at having witnessed Saigalo and Cyrus together, confusing Archibald while revealing his own concerns.
• Lennar and Kien: They debate Shamir’s unhappy engagement and discuss the difference between political marriage and marrying for love.
• Orville and Lennar: Though they exchange little directly, Orville is visibly struck by Lennar’s appearance, suggesting possible developing interest.
• Cyrus and Archibald: Archibald treats Cyrus affectionately and encourages him to drink, leading to Cyrus becoming flushed and more noticeable at the banquet.

Chapter 166 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Shamir Phoebe attends the royal engagement ceremony in elaborate formal attire, drawing everyone’s attention with her beauty.
• She arrives arm in arm with King Warner, who warns her to behave appropriately because she is about to become his fiancée. Shamir is outwardly obedient but remains emotionally distracted by Lord Desinia, Cyrus.
• Warner approaches Cyrus to thank him for attending the ceremony and apologizes for the previous conflict between the Empire and the Desinia Territory. Cyrus accepts the explanation and assures him that he holds no grudge.
• After Warner offers a toast, both he and Cyrus drink. Cyrus, who has a low tolerance for alcohol, quickly becomes light-headed after only two glasses.
• While Warner begins the formal engagement speech, Cyrus notices several important guests, including Jared of the Ed Merchant Guild, who still resents Cyrus for having humiliated him and Shamir’s father in the past.
• Cyrus also spots Pope Segalot hiding near the banquet hall. Segalot beckons him to the courtyard, and Cyrus approaches while slightly intoxicated.
• In the courtyard, Cyrus and Segalot share a tender, flirtatious exchange. Cyrus insists he is sober while touching Segalot’s face and lips, but Segalot gently teases him and offers to take him somewhere to rest.
• Segalot leads Cyrus through the palace to a secluded, neglected section where he was born. He reveals that the Belanka flowers behind the Saint Church were originally transplanted from this place.
• When Cyrus asks about Segalot’s connection to the imperial royal family, Segalot denies having any relationship with the current royal family but promises to reveal his entire past to Cyrus gradually.
• Archibald notices Cyrus leaving with Segalot. He follows too late and witnesses their departure from the shadows, displaying an ominous and unreadable reaction.

Character Developments

• Cyrus: Becomes more openly affectionate toward Segalot under the influence of alcohol. His emotional attachment is clear, and he is increasingly willing to seek Segalot out and trust him. His curiosity about Segalot’s origins also deepens.
• Segalot: Shows warmth and tenderness toward Cyrus, teasing him gently while remaining attentive to his condition. By bringing Cyrus to the place where he was born and promising to share his past, he signals a deeper level of trust and intimacy.
• Shamir: Remains captivated by Cyrus despite her engagement to Warner. Her feelings conflict with her position and obligations, though she submits to Warner’s warning.
• Warner: Acts diplomatically toward Cyrus and attempts to maintain peace between the Empire and the Desinia Territory. He also asserts control over Shamir’s public behavior as the engagement ceremony begins.
• Archibald: His concern for Cyrus’s drunkenness reveals his continued attention to him, but his dark reaction after seeing Cyrus leave with Segalot suggests jealousy, suspicion, or growing emotional conflict.

Significant Themes

• Unspoken and conflicting affections: Shamir longs for Cyrus despite being engaged to Warner, while Cyrus and Segalot’s mutual attraction becomes increasingly visible.
• Public duty versus private emotion: The formal engagement ceremony contrasts with the characters’ hidden feelings and personal tensions.
• Trust and revelation: Segalot’s promise to tell Cyrus about his past suggests that their relationship is moving toward greater honesty and intimacy.
• The persistence of the past: The abandoned palace section and transplanted Belanka flowers symbolize old wounds, forgotten origins, and how time transforms or obscures history.
• Jealousy and observation: Archibald’s silent witnessing of Cyrus and Segalot introduces an atmosphere of emotional rivalry and impending conflict.

Important Character Interactions

• Warner and Cyrus: Exchange diplomatic apologies and a toast, establishing a surface-level reconciliation.
• Shamir and Cyrus: They do not directly interact, but Shamir’s hidden attraction to him remains central to the scene.
• Cyrus and Segalot: Share the chapter’s most intimate interaction, combining teasing, physical affection, and discussion of Segalot’s mysterious origins.
• Archibald and Cyrus/Segalot: Archibald observes them from a distance, and his troubled reaction hints at unresolved feelings or suspicion.

Chapter 167 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Segalot brings Cyrus to the room where the Pope was born and recounts his history. Before becoming Pope, Segalot lived in the imperial palace and knew Warner as a childhood companion.
• Segalot explains that he is the last surviving member of the once-glorious Augsger family. The family’s decline was not caused by a conspiracy but by its dwindling bloodline and changing imperial politics.
• He describes his former life in the palace as luxurious imprisonment: he had everything materially but little freedom. If he had not become Pope, he would likely have remained there while attempting to revive the Augsger name.
• Segalot tells Cyrus that he has always valued freedom and could easily discard almost anything—but Cyrus is now someone he cannot do without. He promises to remain beside Cyrus, support his choices, and never leave him.
• Cyrus becomes sleepy from the alcohol and falls asleep in Segalot’s arms. Segalot appears deeply moved when Cyrus says he is glad they met and kisses his forehead.
• Cyrus wakes later in Sheri Hall with no memory of being carried there. Eggy helps him put on his slippers, and he finds Judas, Orville, Archibald, and the fluffy beasts enjoying the sunlight on the balcony.
• Cyrus learns that he slept through lunch and that Segalot has temporarily returned to the Saint Church but plans to come back before dinner.
• After lunch, Orville leaves Cyrus a ring-shaped piece of Blood-Red Jadeite as a gift. Cyrus admires it but intends to return it.
• Archibald privately confronts Cyrus about his relationship with Segalot. He asks whether Cyrus would object to a man loving another man. When Cyrus says that feelings should not be restricted, Archibald confesses that he wants Cyrus to be with him.
• Archibald correctly suspects that Cyrus already loves Segalot and urges him to leave the Pope. Cyrus silently rejects him, and Archibald leaves in anger and emotional distress.
• Three days later, at the king’s wedding, the bride, Shamir Phoebe, mysteriously disappears. The palace search finds no trace of her, leading many guests to suspect Cyrus’s involvement.
• Warner postpones the wedding, announcing that Shamir must be found first. Since the event is canceled, Cyrus prepares to return to Desinia Territory, accompanied by Segalot, Orville, and Archibald.

Character Developments

• Segalot: Reveals his lonely and restrictive upbringing, his connection to the Augsger family, and his desire for freedom. His attachment to Cyrus becomes explicit and intense; he now views Cyrus as indispensable and vows unwavering loyalty.
• Cyrus: Becomes increasingly aware of Segalot’s importance to him, though he remains focused on filling the Plot Deviation Value. He supports same-sex relationships in principle and clearly chooses Segalot over Archibald.
• Archibald: Moves from suppressed jealousy to an open confession of love. He becomes distressed after realizing Cyrus and Segalot are romantically involved and reacts with anger when rejected.
• Orville: Maintains a quiet, observant presence and gives Cyrus an unusually valuable Blood-Red Jadeite ring, hinting at his own possible feelings or intentions.
• Warner: Acts pragmatically when the bride disappears, postponing the wedding until she can be located.
• Eggy: Demonstrates growing loyalty and domestic helpfulness by bringing Cyrus his slippers.

Significant Themes

• Freedom versus confinement: Segalot’s life in the palace is compared to that of a pampered bird in a cage, emphasizing that comfort cannot replace personal freedom.
• Decline of legacy: The Augsger family’s disappearance illustrates how even prestigious bloodlines and traditions can fade with time.
• Love beyond social conventions: Cyrus argues that love should be accepted regardless of gender, challenging restrictions associated with the Holy See.
• Possessiveness and emotional choice: Segalot’s vow to remain beside Cyrus and Archibald’s demand that Cyrus choose him reveal competing forms of devotion and attachment.
• Suspicion and political instability: Shamir’s disappearance turns Cyrus into the focus of palace scrutiny and raises the possibility of hidden schemes surrounding the wedding.

Important Character Interactions

• Segalot and Cyrus share an intimate conversation in the Pope’s birthplace, culminating in Segalot’s declaration that Cyrus is irreplaceable to him.
• Cyrus spends a subdued morning with Judas, Orville, and Archibald, while his thoughts remain fixed on Segalot.
• Archibald directly challenges Cyrus about his relationship with the Pope and confesses his love, but Cyrus rejects him without explicitly naming Segalot.
• At the wedding, Warner takes control of the crisis after Shamir disappears, while the assembled nobles turn their suspicion toward Cyrus.

Chapter 168 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cyrus returns from the Saint Airo Empire and immediately focuses on preparations for spring plowing and economic development.
• The Desinia Territory plans to improve production of potatoes, sweet potatoes, and corn, while expanding tomatoes, chilies, and cotton cultivation.
• Cyrus orders the mass production of cotton gins, spinning wheels, and improved looms. Reinog modifies the looms with foot pedals, spindles, spools, and other tools, allowing cotton, silk, and hemp to be processed much more efficiently.
• Cyrus continues monitoring Saint Airo, where Shamir Phoebe remains missing and the royal wedding has been indefinitely postponed. A severe winter and heavy snowfall have caused a large death toll and widespread unrest.
• Cyrus recognizes that the Little Ice Age has begun. He anticipates decades of extreme weather, declining harvests, population loss, and social instability, motivating him to prepare the Desinia Territory in advance.
• Factories for producing machine parts are established in Visas and Komoy Fort. Components are manufactured in batches and later assembled, greatly increasing efficiency compared with building individual prototypes.
• Cyrus inspects the Visas factory without warning. He observes the workers, production process, dormitories, and dining facilities, ensuring that managers are not exploiting the workforce or reducing food rations.
• Since looms require specialized operation, Cyrus plans to establish training classes. He also promises that workers may bring their wives to Visas or Komoy Fort, where they will receive factory housing and employment.
• The chapter ends with Cyrus visiting the Alchemy Tower, where Yadai Ben—now an alchemist—continues an important experiment with Chipman.

Character Development

• Cyrus becomes increasingly focused on long-term governance and crisis preparation. Rather than merely reacting to disasters, he plans for the prolonged economic and social consequences of the Little Ice Age.
• He demonstrates practical leadership by inspecting factories personally, checking worker conditions, and creating policies intended to support families and stabilize society.
• Cyrus also shows growing awareness of gender inequality. He views mechanized textile production as a way for women to gain reliable employment and financial independence.
• Reinog continues developing Cyrus’s technological ideas, improving looms and helping establish industrial manufacturing.
• Yadai Ben has advanced from Cyrus’s assistant to a qualified alchemist and is now involved in significant research alongside Chipman.
• The factory workers are portrayed as poor but hopeful. Their willingness to leave their families for employment reflects both their economic hardship and their trust in Cyrus’s institutions.

Significant Themes

• Industrialization and technological progress: Machines replace much manual labor, increase productivity, and create new systems of manufacturing and training.
• Preparation in the face of disaster: Cyrus understands that the Little Ice Age will create long-term problems and begins strengthening agriculture, industry, employment, and food security before the worst effects arrive.
• Economic stability and social welfare: Factory dormitories, affordable meals, rewards, and family employment show Cyrus attempting to combine economic growth with worker welfare.
• Women’s economic independence: Textile machinery opens new forms of paid work for women, challenging a labor system in which men dominate employment and women are often treated as dependents or property.
• Leadership and accountability: Cyrus personally inspects working and living conditions, emphasizing that institutions must serve workers rather than enrich corrupt managers.
• The interconnectedness of progress: Improved agriculture, machinery, employment, family stability, and social order are presented as parts of one broader strategy for surviving future crises.

Character Interactions

• Cyrus works closely with Reinog, relying on his engineering skill to improve looms and organize machinery production.
• During the factory inspection, Cyrus speaks directly with a nervous worker, learning about his production capacity and personal hardships. His reassurance that workers’ wives will receive housing and jobs sparks excitement throughout the factory.
• Cyrus interacts with the factory manager by instructing him to let the workers continue normally and later verifying that the manager is not withholding food or abusing his authority.
• His previous relationship with Yadai Ben is referenced: Cyrus once employed him as an assistant and later encouraged his advancement within the Alchemy Tower. Yadai now collaborates with Chipman on an important experiment.

Chapter 169 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• In the Alchemy Tower, Cyrus observes the results of the third round of surgical suturing experiments on animals.
• The wounds of the rabbits, mice, and other test animals have healed successfully, with no signs of infection. This is the most successful experiment after more than three months of work.
• The alchemists explain that the success resulted from:
  • Proper wound-suturing techniques
  • An aseptic operating room
  • Disinfection and carefully measured anesthetics
  • Absorbable catgut sutures
  • Specially designed surgical tools
  • Improved post-operative care
• Earlier experiments had failed, including one animal dying from an excessive anesthetic dose.
• Chipman asks Cyrus whether they should begin treating human patients. Cyrus agrees in principle but proposes publicly recruiting volunteers and offering compensation.
• He insists that patients and their families must understand the risks and sign surgical consent forms. The operating doctor must sign as well.
• After spending the day at the Alchemy Tower, Cyrus discovers that both Segalot, the Pope, and Archibald have arrived to escort him home.
• Cyrus refuses to ride with either of them and returns in his own carriage, wanting to maintain emotional distance from Archibald.
• Back at Par Mountain, Cyrus finds Orville waiting with the sleepy Rollie and surrounded by fluffies.

Character Developments

• Cyrus continues establishing modern medical practices in the Desinia Territory. He demonstrates concern for patient safety, informed consent, compensation, and professional accountability.
• Chipman, Yinke, Yadai, and Feilifu have developed considerable expertise in surgery through persistent experimentation. Their work is beginning to transition from animal testing toward human medical treatment.
• Feilifu, despite being a metal alchemist rather than a medical specialist, contributes meaningful insight into surgical tools and sterile procedures.
• Archibald continues trying to accompany Cyrus, but Cyrus deliberately keeps his distance, signaling unresolved romantic tension.
• Orville appears to be waiting for Cyrus and treats him warmly, while greeting Segalot and Archibald much more coldly.

Significant Themes

• Advancement of medicine through experimentation: The chapter emphasizes careful testing, repeated failure, observation, and refinement.
• Professional ethics and informed consent: Cyrus introduces principles resembling modern medical ethics, ensuring patients understand procedures and risks before agreeing.
• Collaboration across disciplines: Alchemists with different specialties work together to create surgical tools, treatments, and procedures.
• Responsibility and caution: Scientific progress is balanced with concern for safety, compensation, and accountability.
• Romantic tension and emotional distance: Cyrus is still conflicted about Archibald and intentionally creates space between them.

Character Interactions

• Chipman and Yinke excitedly discuss the animals’ recovery, while Yadai analyzes the importance of suturing and post-operative care.
• Feilifu explains the role of sterile conditions and catgut sutures, earning Cyrus’s approval despite his different alchemical specialty.
• Cyrus instructs the researchers on how to recruit human patients and formalize consent procedures.
• Feilifu escorts Cyrus out of the tower but leaves after noticing the Pope and Archibald.
• Segalot and Archibald both invite Cyrus into their carriages, but Cyrus rejects both invitations and leaves with Judas.
• At home, Orville warmly tells Cyrus that he was waiting for him, though Cyrus suspects Orville may have been more interested in spending time with the fluffies.

Chapter 170 Summary

Plot Points and Events

• The Thorn Merchant Guild posts detailed notices across Desinia Territory announcing Suturing Surgery, including eligible injuries, registration procedures, consent forms, subsidies, and provisions for doctors to visit immobile patients at home.
• The treatment receives mixed reactions. Residents of distant cities doubt its effectiveness because doctors are scarce, communication is slow, and the idea of stitching wounds with thread seems frightening and unnatural.
• Medical knowledge in Desinia has improved through the Medical Academies, making people more willing to question outdated treatments such as cauterization, leeches, and unnecessary amputation. However, Suturing Surgery remains unproven to most of the public.
• John, a poor hunter from Batlai City, is badly injured when a wild boar escapes his trap. He falls down a slope and is impaled in the thigh by a branch.
• A local doctor stops the bleeding and treats the wound, but John’s condition worsens rapidly. His leg becomes infected, and amputation appears to be the only conventional solution.
• Because John’s family cannot afford to lose his ability to work, they register him for Suturing Surgery.
• Batlai’s knights rapidly relay the request through a chain of cities and carrier-pigeon stations. Meanwhile, two local doctors stabilize John without charging his family.
• Yadai, one of the medical team’s leading surgeons, arrives with assistants in less than a day. After examining John and obtaining his family’s consent, he prepares a clean operating room and performs the surgery.
• Yadai administers local anesthesia, removes the decayed tissue, cleans the wound, and sutures it. The operation succeeds because the injury has not damaged a major artery.
• John’s wound heals quickly. Ten days later, he is able to walk normally and publicly thanks Yadai, proving the treatment’s effectiveness.
• News of John’s recovery spreads throughout Batlai City, greatly reducing public doubts about Suturing Surgery.

Character Developments

• John is shown as a hardworking, self-sacrificing father who prioritizes his family’s financial survival over his own comfort. His injury places both his livelihood and his family’s future at risk.
• John’s family initially has little faith in the unfamiliar procedure but becomes hopeful when no conventional treatment can save him. Their gratitude after the successful surgery reflects the life-changing importance of the medical advance.
• Yadai demonstrates skill, professionalism, and compassion. He carefully explains the procedure, obtains informed consent, remains available during John’s recovery, and prevents the family from kneeling in gratitude.
• Cyrus’s influence is evident in the efficient medical system and emergency response network. His foresight in training surgeons and distributing medical teams allows treatment to reach remote cities.
• The people of Desinia gradually shift from passive acceptance of medical deaths to expecting competent treatment and questioning harmful practices.

Significant Themes

• Progress versus tradition: Suturing Surgery challenges long-established but often harmful medical practices.
• Public trust and proof: People are reluctant to accept unfamiliar treatment until they witness a successful case firsthand.
• Access to medical care: The chapter emphasizes the logistical challenges of treating patients far from medical centers, while showing how organized communication and trained teams can overcome distance.
• Social welfare and governance: The free treatment, subsidies, knight patrols, carrier pigeons, and medical academies show Desinia’s increasingly organized and compassionate administration.
• Hope and livelihood: Saving John’s leg means preserving not only his health but also his ability to support his family.
• Changing attitudes toward responsibility: As medical standards improve, people begin expecting doctors and authorities to provide effective care rather than accepting death as unavoidable fate.

Character Interactions

• John’s family consults the local doctor, who directs them toward Suturing Surgery after ordinary medicine fails.
• Registration staff notify the knights, and officials send doctors to stabilize John while the surgical team travels.
• Yadai discusses the risks and necessity of the surgery with John’s family before receiving their consent.
• After the successful operation, John’s family expresses overwhelming gratitude, while Yadai responds modestly and reassures them.
• John later personally thanks Yadai, and his recovery becomes a public example that changes the opinions of Batlai’s residents.

Chapter 171 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Successful leg-suturing surgeries continue to occur throughout Desinia Territory. Their spread across multiple cities confirms that Cyrus’s proposed medical treatment is genuinely effective.
• Newspapers publish the results, increasing public awareness and enthusiasm for the new medical procedure.
• Cyrus speaks privately with Orville and firmly rejects the possibility of a romantic relationship. He explains that Orville’s inability to choose between Cyrus and his beloved fluffy beasts proves that his feelings are attachment and affection rather than wholehearted love.
• Cyrus reveals that his heart already belongs to the Pope and states that he will never change his mind, regardless of how long Orville waits.
• Orville attempts to negotiate by asking to take several of Cyrus’s fluffy beasts with him, but Cyrus refuses every request.
• Cyrus then confronts Archibald, who already understands that Cyrus will reject him. Cyrus tells him directly that they should remain friends and partners, or become strangers rather than allow their relationship to cause continued pain.
• Archibald asks for one final hug and accepts the role of lifelong friend and partner, promising not to pursue Cyrus romantically again.
• Archibald later behaves strictly as a friend and discusses cooperation with Cyrus concerning new crops. He eventually leaves for the Anas Kingdom to make arrangements, and Cyrus sees him off at the harbor.
• Just as Cyrus expects peace, soldiers at Komoy Fort report that a black leopard—apparently one of Cyrus’s beasts—has arrived with an unfamiliar young man and a silver-haired girl. Cyrus deduces that the visitors are Brali, chief of the Kadi Tribe and a male supporting character from the original story, and likely another significant figure connected to him.

Character Developments

• Cyrus: Becomes more decisive and emotionally honest. He sets clear boundaries with both Orville and Archibald, refusing to encourage feelings he cannot return while still valuing friendship and cooperation.
• Orville: Confronts the limits of his feelings for Cyrus. Though he is saddened, he ultimately accepts that Cyrus will not choose him and returns to the fluffy beasts for comfort.
• Archibald: Experiences deep heartbreak but controls his emotions and respects Cyrus’s decision. He chooses to preserve their friendship and partnership rather than continue pursuing an impossible romance.
• Cyrus and the Pope: Cyrus’s declaration that he has given his heart to the Pope confirms the seriousness of his existing romantic commitment.
• Brali and the silver-haired girl: Their unexpected arrival introduces a new complication and suggests that further important events are imminent.

Significant Themes

• Love versus attachment: The chapter distinguishes romantic love from affection, dependence, admiration, and companionship.
• The necessity of firm boundaries: Cyrus believes that honest rejection, though painful, is kinder than allowing false hope to continue.
• Acceptance and emotional maturity: Both Orville and Archibald must accept that Cyrus cannot return their feelings.
• Friendship as a lasting bond: Cyrus presents friendship as valuable in its own right, while Archibald chooses to preserve their partnership despite his heartbreak.
• Personal choice and sacrifice: The chapter emphasizes that people cannot always keep everything they want; meaningful choices inevitably involve loss.
• Progress and public welfare: The successful surgeries and newspaper reports highlight Desinia’s medical advancement and Cyrus’s growing influence over the territory.

Important Character Interactions

• Cyrus and Orville: Cyrus challenges Orville to choose between him and the fluffy beasts. Orville’s hesitation reveals that his feelings are not yet the selfless, exclusive love Cyrus requires.
• Cyrus and Archibald: Cyrus gives Archibald a direct rejection, and Archibald responds with vulnerability before accepting a platonic future.
• Orville and the fluffy beasts: After the rejection, Orville spends the night with Rice Cake and Rollie, emphasizing that the animals remain central to his emotional life.
• Cyrus and Archibald at the harbor: Their farewell is peaceful but bittersweet, suggesting that Archibald’s acceptance may still carry hidden pain.
• Cyrus and the arriving visitors: The report of Brali and the mysterious silver-haired girl abruptly interrupts the chapter’s emotional resolution and sets up the next conflict.

Chapter 172 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Brali, leader of the Kadi Tribe, arrives in Komoy Fort on his way to visit Cyrus at Par Mountain. He stops to admire the Rose Clock Tower, a landmark surrounded by flowers planted by the city’s residents for Lord Desinia.
• Brali is accompanied by Shamir Phoebe, who has secretly fled the Saint Airo Empire before her wedding to King Warner. She wants to see Desinia Territory and praises Cyrus’s orphanages, schools, hospitals, and prosperous cities.
• Cyrus learns that Shamir is in his territory and immediately recognizes the political danger. Since she is officially the king’s fiancée, Brali’s decision to bring her away from the empire could create serious diplomatic complications.
• Cyrus confronts Brali, asking what he intended to do after bringing Shamir to Desinia. He points out that Brali could be blamed for abducting or harboring the king’s fiancée and warns that he might have to personally deliver Brali to King Warner to explain himself.
• Brali explains that he discovered Shamir hiding aboard his ship. Though he initially intended to send her away, he relented when she begged him to take her to Desinia.
• Cyrus reprimands Shamir for running away without considering the consequences for her father, Marquis Galli, or the humiliation inflicted on King Warner and the empire’s guests.
• Cyrus offers to notify Warner immediately and arrange for an imperial fleet to return Shamir to the Saint Airo Empire. However, Shamir tearfully begs him not to reveal her location because she does not want to marry the king.
• Cyrus refuses to hide her, but allows her to remain temporarily. He explains that the fleet will take at least half a month to arrive, giving Shamir time to do as she wishes before her return.
• Brali happily leads Shamir away. Sachi, his black panther, affectionately brushes against Cyrus and curls her tail around his ankle, prompting him to pet her.

Character Developments

• Cyrus: Demonstrates his usual practicality, political awareness, and bluntness. Rather than being swayed by Shamir’s tears or apparent innocence, he focuses on the diplomatic consequences of her actions. He also notices that her refusal to marry Warner could affect the novel’s predetermined plot and potentially increase the system’s Plot Deviation Value.
• Brali: Reveals himself to be compassionate but impulsive. He knows Shamir’s identity and the risks of helping her, yet agrees because he cannot bear her distress. Cyrus’s criticism makes him realize that he acted without considering the broader consequences.
• Shamir: Shows her desire to escape the marriage imposed on her, but also her naivety and lack of foresight. She is enthusiastic about Desinia Territory and admires Cyrus, but only belatedly realizes that her flight could harm her father and cause an international crisis.
• Sachi: Displays the loyalty and affection characteristic of the Kadi Tribe’s bond with black panthers. Her gentle interaction with Cyrus suggests she accepts or is comfortable with him.

Significant Themes

• Freedom versus duty: Shamir’s escape represents her attempt to resist an arranged political marriage, while Cyrus emphasizes the responsibilities and consequences tied to her status.
• Innocence and thoughtlessness: Shamir’s kind, seemingly innocent nature is contrasted with her inability to anticipate the harm caused by her impulsive decision.
• Political responsibility: The chapter highlights how personal choices involving nobles and rulers can quickly become diplomatic incidents.
• Fate and deviation from the original plot: Cyrus recognizes that Shamir may no longer follow the original story’s path, particularly if she refuses to marry Warner, potentially affecting the system’s deviation value.
• Cultural contrast: Brali’s observations emphasize the differences between the Kadi Tribe’s hunting-based, natural lifestyle and Desinia’s urban development, architecture, and public institutions.

Character Interactions

• Brali and Shamir share admiration for Desinia Territory, with Shamir praising Cyrus’s accomplishments and Brali supporting her wish to explore.
• Cyrus confronts both of them, especially Brali, forcing them to acknowledge the recklessness of bringing Shamir into Desinia.
• Shamir pleads with Cyrus to protect her from being returned to Warner, but Cyrus remains firm and refuses to conceal her whereabouts.
• Brali comforts Shamir when she begins crying and accepts Cyrus’s temporary arrangement.
• Sachi’s affectionate gesture toward Cyrus ends the chapter on a lighter, warmer note.

Chapter 173 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cyrus learns that Brali and Shamir Phoebe have left Desinia Territory by ship and are likely returning to Cardy.
• Although King Warner sends Cyrus a polite letter of thanks, Cyrus suspects the situation is part of a larger political scheme.
• Reports spreading through the Saint Airo Empire falsely claim that Cyrus had an affair with Shamir and helped her flee. Cyrus realizes someone is deliberately directing these rumors to make him appear guilty.
• Cyrus theorizes that Warner may have orchestrated Shamir’s escape, anticipating that she would seek out Cyrus. Warner could then use the incident as a “just cause” to attack Desinia Territory and reclaim its lands without turning public opinion against him.
• Cyrus orders increased security at ports and borders while waiting to see Warner’s next move.
• Meanwhile, construction begins on a grand new Saint Church in Visas, designed to surpass the original church in the Saint Airo Empire.
• In mid-June, Warner pressures Brali to return Shamir by threatening to cut off the supplies that Cardy depends on from the Saint Airo Empire.
• Desinia Territory openly defies the blockade by sending a large convoy of supplies to Cardy, including crops, cotton, cotton gins, and looms. This sharply escalates tensions between Desinia and the Saint Airo Empire.

Character Developments

• Cyrus becomes increasingly cautious and politically perceptive. He recognizes that the rumors surrounding Shamir may be part of a carefully constructed plot to provoke war. Rather than acting rashly, he chooses to wait, investigate, and prepare defensively.
• Warner is revealed as a potentially manipulative strategist. Cyrus suspects he engineered Shamir’s escape and the subsequent rumors to create a pretext for military aggression.
• Walker and Judas assist Cyrus by investigating the rumors and preparing defenses. Walker moves from confusion to alarm as he realizes the danger Cyrus faces.
• Segalot remains devoted to Cyrus and promises to wait patiently until Cyrus is ready to define their relationship. He misunderstands Cyrus’s hesitation as concern over social and religious conventions, while Cyrus is actually preoccupied with the Plot Deviation Value.
• Shamir and Brali remain at the center of the political crisis, with Brali now forced to protect both Shamir and Cardy from the Saint Airo Empire.

Significant Themes

• Political manipulation and manufactured justification: The chapter emphasizes how rumors, staged events, and public opinion can be used to create a pretext for war.
• Diplomacy versus military conflict: Cyrus attempts to protect Desinia through letters, investigations, and preparation, while Warner uses economic pressure and possible propaganda to force confrontation.
• Economic dependence as a weapon: The Saint Airo Empire’s control over Cardy’s trade routes and necessities gives it leverage over the Kadi Tribe.
• Strategic independence and development: By supplying Cardy with crops, cotton, and manufacturing equipment, Desinia challenges the empire’s economic dominance and helps Cardy become more self-sufficient.
• Love, patience, and personal hesitation: Cyrus and Segalot’s relationship grows more intimate, but Cyrus still struggles to fully commit while pursuing his larger objectives.

Character Interactions

• Cyrus and Walker discuss the suspicious rumors and Warner’s possible plan, with Cyrus explaining his reasoning and instructing Walker to prepare defenses.
• Cyrus and Judas collaborate on tracing the origins of the fabricated reports.
• Cyrus and Segalot share a tender but teasing exchange about Cyrus’s relationships with Archibald and Orville. Cyrus admits that Segalot may eventually become the most important person to him, though he is not ready yet.
• Warner and Brali are placed in direct conflict as Warner demands Shamir’s return by threatening Cardy’s supplies.
• Desinia and Cardy effectively enter into an alliance when Cyrus sends supplies through the empire’s blockade, openly challenging Warner’s authority.

Chapter 174 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Extreme summer heat and unusual weather trouble the Saint Airo Empire’s knights stationed along the blockade against the Kadi Tribe. The soldiers discuss abnormal cold, heat, and the possibility of drought.
• While resting, the knights discuss Shamir Phoebe’s relationship with Emperor Warner and her decision to join the Kadi Tribe instead of becoming Empress. Their conversation is interrupted when the ground begins to shake.
• Ferdinand leads a massive force of Desinia’s Black-and-White Cavalry to the blockade line. The Empire’s soldiers recognize that they cannot withstand the approaching army and retreat.
• Rather than attacking, Desinia’s cavalry carries large quantities of supplies—food, cloth, new high-yield crops, and unusual wooden machines—across the blockade to support the Kadi Tribe. Their threatening formation prevents the Empire from objecting.
• Warner is enraged by Desinia’s defiance but is also alarmed by the overwhelming strength of the Black-and-White Cavalry. Cyrus’s public explanation—that he is exchanging supplies for a female black panther to serve as a mate for his own panther—gives Warner no clear justification for retaliation.
• Kien suggests exploiting Desinia’s reduced cavalry presence by attacking its territory. Warner initially hesitates because Desinia is allied with Achiyoli Territory, the Anas Kingdom, and possibly the Bovil Kingdom.
• Warner sends Kien to negotiate with Biya’s King Yasa Delik. In exchange for territory bordering Biya, Yasa agrees to delay reinforcements from Desinia’s allies.
• Believing Desinia to be vulnerable, Warner launches a two-pronged invasion by river and land.
• Desinia’s river forces use ships equipped with flame-emitting weapons and explosive black spheres to devastate and repel the Imperial fleet.
• On land, Desinia’s reduced forces struggle against the Empire’s vastly larger cavalry army. Heavy ballistae, catapults, and explosives slow the Empire’s advance, but the experienced Imperial cavalry gradually gains the advantage.
• When Achiyoli and Anas attempt to aid Desinia, Biya initially blocks them as promised. However, Yasa suddenly betrays the Empire, joining Prince Cavendish in attacking its weakest defenses. The Empire loses two territories rapidly.
• Desinia launches a powerful counteroffensive, and the Empire suffers repeated defeats. Warner realizes that Cyrus had secretly arranged the apparent Biya alliance as a trap.
• Warner withdraws his forward forces and shifts to a defensive strategy. The conflict settles into another stalemate.

Character Developments

• Cyrus Desinia is revealed as a highly strategic and deceptive ruler. His apparent weakness and reliance on Biya were part of a larger plan to lure Warner into attacking.
• Warner shifts from outrage and confidence to caution and defensive desperation. He recognizes Desinia as a serious threat but remains determined to prevent its continued expansion.
• Kien acts as Warner’s adviser and helps formulate the plan to exploit Desinia’s weakened defenses. His optimism contributes to the decision to invade.
• Ferdinand demonstrates disciplined leadership by commanding the Black-and-White Cavalry and intimidating the Empire into allowing the supplies to pass without battle.
• Yasa Delik appears to betray the Empire, revealing that his loyalty was likely part of Cyrus’s broader strategy.
• Prince Cavendish emerges as an active military ally of Biya and Desinia against the Empire.
• Shamir Phoebe remains a subject of speculation among the Imperial soldiers, particularly regarding her connection to Warner and the Kadi Tribe.

Significant Themes

• Strategic deception and political manipulation: Cyrus allows Warner to believe Desinia is weakened, then uses Biya’s betrayal to reverse the war’s momentum.
• Military technology versus numerical strength: Desinia’s advanced weapons—flame-throwing ship mechanisms, explosives, ballistae, and catapults—counter the Empire’s overwhelming cavalry numbers.
• The decline of Imperial dominance: The Saint Airo Empire still possesses vast resources and experienced soldiers, but its former authority is undermined by natural disasters, political isolation, and repeated defeats.
• Alliances and shifting loyalties: The chapter emphasizes how quickly diplomatic agreements can collapse when territories pursue their own interests or follow hidden plans.
• Environmental instability: The abnormal heat, severe winter, and fears of drought suggest broader changes in the world and contribute to the chapter’s uneasy atmosphere.
• Power through intimidation: Desinia’s cavalry wins the blockade confrontation without fighting, using discipline, coordination, and sheer presence to force the Empire into submission.

Character Interactions

• Imperial knights casually discuss Shamir, Cyrus, and Warner before being confronted by Desinia’s army.
• Ferdinand and the Imperial commander engage in a brief but tense confrontation; the Black-and-White Cavalry’s silent threat forces the Empire to yield.
• Warner and Kien debate whether to attack Desinia, with Warner emphasizing the dangers posed by its allies.
• Warner negotiates indirectly with Yasa through Kien, but Yasa later turns against the Empire alongside Cavendish.
• Cyrus does not appear directly, yet his influence dominates the chapter through his military preparations, political alliances, and carefully engineered trap.

Chapter 175 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Nearly two months after the war between Desinia Territory and the Saint Airo Empire began, Cyrus stays in the peaceful border town of Dilo with the Pope, Grand Duke Achiyoli, Prince Cavendish, and King Yasa Deik of Bia.
• Yasa reflects on the powerful alliance supporting Cyrus. The Bia Kingdom, once a vassal of the Empire, now obeys the Pope’s orders and assists Desinia unconditionally.
• Cyrus receives a report from Ferdinand concerning the Kadi Tribe and the battlefield. The front remains stable, but the report reveals that Bula, leader of the Kadi Tribe, appears to have developed feelings for Shamir Phoebe.
• This suggests that Shamir, the original novel’s heroine, may end up with Bula rather than the male lead. Cyrus is unconcerned, especially since the story’s deviation value has risen to 95%.
• The war reaches a stalemate, but the Saint Airo Empire is increasingly weakened by food shortages, poor harvests, abnormal weather, and the public hoarding of supplies.
• Warner recognizes the value of Desinia’s high-yield crops too late. Cyrus has already restricted their sale and export, leaving the Empire without enough seeds or time to produce sufficient food.
• Ferdinand launches a surprise attack from the Kadi Tribe, breaking through the Empire’s blockade.
• Desinian forces also land at Yami through the Kogi Sea and attack from the south. The Bia Kingdom, Anas Kingdom, and Achiyoli Territory join the offensive, steadily reducing Imperial territory.
• The Pope publicly supports Desinia and announces that the Holy Church will be rebuilt in Visas, declaring Cyrus’s cause to be the Creator God’s will.
• By the end of September, the Empire’s border cavalry collapses and flees. Desinia’s forces advance almost to the Imperial capital, where the citizens remain indoors and the defending knights are visibly despairing.
• Cyrus arrives before the capital and looks toward the royal palace, realizing that his campaign has progressed even faster than expected.

Character Developments

• Cyrus demonstrates patience and strategic foresight. His control of crop seeds and supplies becomes one of the decisive factors weakening the Empire.
• Yasa Deik recognizes Cyrus’s growing power and understands that the Pope’s actions consistently serve Cyrus’s interests. He also privately notices the Pope’s affection for Cyrus.
• The Pope, Saigalo, Archibald, and Orville remain closely aligned with Cyrus and actively support his campaign, both politically and militarily.
• Bula appears to have developed romantic feelings for Shamir Phoebe, creating a possible change from the original story’s expected romance.
• Shamir Phoebe may be moving away from her original narrative role, as the system’s deviation value reaches 95%.
• Warner is portrayed as intelligent but too late to counter Desinia’s agricultural advantage. His attempts to repair the Empire’s weakening position cannot match the speed of its collapse.

Significant Themes

• The collapse of a great power: The Empire’s downfall results not from one defeat but from accumulated damage—war, famine, poor harvests, political isolation, and lost allies.
• Preparation and timing: Cyrus’s early control over crops and supplies gives Desinia an advantage that the Empire cannot overcome once war begins.
• Faith as political power: The Pope’s public endorsement transforms Cyrus’s campaign into what appears to be a divinely sanctioned cause, strengthening Desinia’s legitimacy.
• Changing destiny: The heroine’s possible relationship with Bula and the high deviation value show that the original plot is being fundamentally rewritten.
• Alliance and loyalty: Desinia’s success depends on its network of allies, whose cooperation contrasts with the Empire’s increasing isolation.

Character Interactions

• Cyrus warmly presents Saigalo and the others with flowers, revealing the relaxed intimacy among the group despite the ongoing war.
• Saigalo openly praises Cyrus’s flowers, while Archibald and Orville respond with familiar concern and teasing.
• Cyrus shares Ferdinand’s report with the group, prompting discussion about Shamir’s possible new romance.
• Yasa’s careless remark about Shamir’s changing affections earns him a cold look from the Pope, highlighting the Pope’s protectiveness toward Cyrus and his sensitivity regarding the subject.
• The group moves indoors together as the heat becomes oppressive, maintaining a domestic, almost peaceful atmosphere despite the immense military conflict outside.

Chapter 176 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• In the imperial palace, Warner, Kien, and Lennar face the imminent fall of the Saint Airo Empire. Desinia’s forces have surrounded the royal city, leaving the imperial family with no escape.
• Warner acknowledges that the empire’s decline began long before the final war, worsened by the Black Death, political failures, and the empire’s dwindling strength. He also recognizes that his decision to fight Desinia was based on overconfidence.
• Kien condemns Asa Delric of the Bia Kingdom for betraying their agreement. Asa allied with Cavendish, cut off imperial reinforcements, and seized imperial territory, contributing greatly to the empire’s rapid defeats.
• Cyrus enters the palace and meets Warner, Kien, and Lennar. Warner expresses disbelief that Cyrus—whom he considers lacking in obvious ambition—has brought down the empire, especially with the Pope’s support.
• Warner attempts to create distrust between Cyrus and Pope Segalot by suggesting that Segalot planned the empire’s downfall to restore the Holy See’s supremacy.
• Segalot openly reveals that he established the Saint Church in Visas to remain close to Cyrus because he has developed romantic feelings for him. He declares that the Holy See’s rules can be changed and that, eventually, people will accept and bless their relationship.
• Warner, Kien, and Lennar are imprisoned, while the empire’s nobles are placed under guard. The Saint Airo Empire is officially absorbed into Desinia.
• Cyrus begins reforming the conquered territories. The spread of new crops eases the empire’s food shortage and reassures commoners and slaves, who care more about improved living conditions than which ruler governs them.
• Ferdinand returns with the Black-and-White Cavalry, accompanied by Bula, Shamir, and Afra, a fierce young female black panther from the Kadi Tribe.
• Afra is introduced to Black Sugar. The meeting results in a fierce confrontation that leaves the room wrecked, though Black Sugar remains calm and composed afterward.

Character Developments

• Warner: Accepts that he has failed to save the empire and recognizes the consequences of his earlier decisions. Though defeated, he remains perceptive and tries to undermine the alliance between Cyrus and Segalot.
• Kien: Displays anger and frustration over the empire’s betrayal and defeat, especially Asa Delric’s broken agreement, but is ultimately powerless to change the outcome.
• Lennar: Grieves the empire’s collapse and continues to resent Shamir for leaving, while also mourning her lost hopes concerning Cyrus.
• Cyrus: Demonstrates confidence and emotional restraint during the empire’s surrender. He begins governing responsibly by addressing the food crisis and improving the lives of the conquered population.
• Segalot: Publicly acknowledges his love for Cyrus, showing a rare openness and determination to challenge the Holy See’s traditional rules.
• Bula and the panthers: Bula explains Afra’s fierce personality and difficult temperament. Black Sugar remains obedient to Cyrus but proves capable of handling Afra easily.

Significant Themes

• The collapse of old power: The Saint Airo Empire’s fall reflects the cumulative effects of disease, poor decisions, political betrayal, and institutional decline.
• Pragmatic leadership: Cyrus gains acceptance not through conquest alone, but by quickly improving food security and living conditions.
• Political and religious authority: Warner fears that Segalot’s influence could threaten royal power, while Segalot suggests that religious laws and traditions can be changed.
• Love versus social convention: Segalot’s declaration challenges the Holy See’s rules and public expectations, emphasizing his willingness to prioritize his relationship with Cyrus.
• Acceptance of inevitable change: The defeated imperial figures must confront a new political order, while ordinary people adapt as long as their basic needs are met.

Character Interactions

• Warner, Kien, and Lennar discuss the empire’s hopeless situation before Cyrus arrives.
• Warner confronts Cyrus about his motives and attempts to turn him against Segalot.
• Segalot responds by confessing his feelings for Cyrus, leaving the imperial family shocked and Cyrus visibly embarrassed.
• Cyrus and Bula discuss Afra’s temperament and history.
• Cyrus encourages the reluctant Black Sugar to meet Afra. After Black Sugar enters, the two panthers clash violently, while Sachi watches from outside with apparent interest.

Chapter 177 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cyrus’s victory over the Saint Airo Empire raises the Plot Deviation Value to 99%, but it stops increasing even after the imperial capital falls and Warner and the nobles are imprisoned.
• Cyrus considers whether Warner’s death is necessary to reach 100%, but refuses to risk destabilizing the world without knowing whether the male lead’s death would cause it to collapse. He decides to spare Warner temporarily and wait for 098’s return.
• Shamir visits her imprisoned father, Marquis Galli, and learns that Warner manipulated her escape to create an excuse for war against Desinia. She explains that Warner had secretly approved her departure.
• Brali arrives from the Kadi Tribe and apologizes to Cyrus for falling in love with Shamir. He thanks Cyrus for protecting the Kadi people and admits that he is pursuing Shamir, who has not rejected him.
• Cyrus begins reorganizing the former Saint Airo Empire. Commoners and slaves largely welcome the conquest because Desinia offers greater legal protections, social mobility, and opportunities to escape slavery.
• The empire’s nobles fear losing their titles and privileges. Cyrus announces that noble positions will be abolished, though qualified individuals may retain employment by passing examinations and interviews.
• Nobles with histories of corruption, cruelty, or serious crimes will lose both their status and the right to remain in Desinia Territory.
• Cyrus meets with major merchant guilds, including the Ed Merchant Guild, to promote new crops and technologies. He spreads knowledge of potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, cotton, cotton gins, looms, and other tools to prepare the population for the continuing Little Ice Age.
• 098 returns from its trip carrying gifts, including another strange fluffy creature whose appearance leaves Cyrus stunned.

Character Developments

• Cyrus becomes increasingly cautious and politically strategic. Although he has nearly completed the world-altering objective, he refuses to act recklessly against Warner and focuses instead on governing the conquered empire and protecting its people.
• Shamir recognizes Warner’s manipulation and defends herself against her father’s accusations. Her relationship with Brali begins to develop, suggesting that she has moved on from her former feelings.
• Brali openly pursues Shamir and expresses gratitude toward Cyrus for saving the Kadi Tribe and removing the political obstacle that separated them.
• Marquis Galli loses his authority and becomes increasingly fearful and resentful, especially because his daughter’s choices and Cyrus’s conquest have destroyed his position.
• Warner is revealed as an opportunist who deliberately used Shamir’s disappearance to justify attacking Desinia.
• 098 returns cheerful and thoughtful, bringing Cyrus gifts from its travels.

Significant Themes

• The cost of conquest and political reform: Cyrus replaces the imperial system with laws and merit-based institutions, weakening hereditary privilege.
• Social equality and opportunity: Commoners and slaves benefit from Desinia’s policies, while noble status no longer guarantees power or immunity.
• Responsibility versus expediency: Cyrus must balance the temptation to kill Warner and complete the Plot Deviation Value against the risk of damaging the world.
• Adapting to crisis: The Little Ice Age drives Cyrus’s efforts to spread agricultural innovations, industrial tools, and practical knowledge.
• Love beyond political barriers: With Warner and the empire removed as obstacles, Brali and Shamir are free to pursue a relationship.

Character Interactions

• Cyrus and Shamir discuss Warner’s manipulation indirectly through her explanation of her escape and her father’s accusations.
• Brali formally apologizes to Cyrus and thanks him for helping the Kadi Tribe. Cyrus accepts his gratitude and encourages his relationship with Shamir.
• Cyrus confronts Marquis Galli and the other nobles, making clear that their opinions no longer determine their fate.
• Cyrus negotiates with merchant guild leaders to distribute agricultural and textile technology across the former empire.
• The chapter ends with Cyrus reuniting with 098 and reacting with surprise to its latest unusual animal gift.

Chapter 178 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• 098 introduces Cyrus to a new extraordinary animal: a young honey badger nicknamed Flathead Bro because of its white fur and flat head.
• Flathead is intelligent, solitary, fearless, and extraordinarily persistent. After initially adapting quietly to its unfamiliar surroundings, it bonds with Cyrus and begins following him everywhere.
• Once brought home, Flathead repeatedly challenges the other animals to fights. Coalball defeats it at first, but Flathead continues provoking Coalball and nearly every other fluffy creature. Although chaotic, the fights are not serious and cause no lasting injuries.
• Cyrus asks 098 about the final one percent of the Plot Deviation Value. He learns that it can be completed by:
  • Killing the original male lead, Warner Gales;
  • Convincing Warner to voluntarily renounce the imperial throne; or
  • Continuing infrastructure development until the value naturally reaches completion.
• Cyrus chooses to confront Warner, who is imprisoned in Tum Tower after the war. He offers Warner a choice: death, lifelong imprisonment, or public renunciation of the throne and acceptance of commoner status.
• Cyrus emphasizes that Warner’s policies had helped ordinary people and slaves, but insists that he cannot allow a former enemy to retain political legitimacy.
• Warner initially refuses, viewing the loss of noble status as an intolerable humiliation. Cyrus leaves him to consider the decision, also pointing out that Lennar and the rest of the Gales family would otherwise remain imprisoned.
• After ten days, Warner agrees to sign the public oath. At the end of October, the agreement is announced across the continent:
  • Warner relinquishes the throne.
  • The Gales family formally becomes commoners.
  • Their claim to the Saint Airo Empire is permanently surrendered.
• Cyrus secretly arranges for the family to live in a secluded, beautiful valley, allowing them to survive without becoming a focus of public attention.
• Warner’s renunciation causes the Plot Deviation Value to reach 100%.
• Afterward, Cyrus affectionately approaches Segalot and suggests that they begin a “sweet romance.”

Character Developments

• Cyrus continues to show strategic patience and political pragmatism. Though he could eliminate Warner and his allies, he chooses a less violent solution that removes their political threat while preserving their lives.
• He also demonstrates compassion by arranging a peaceful, isolated future for the Gales family rather than abandoning them to imprisonment.
• Flathead is established as both an intelligent and troublesome new companion. Its aggressive behavior contrasts with its ability to understand Cyrus and bond with him.
• Warner is forced to confront the collapse of his imperial identity. His initial pride and refusal gradually give way to acceptance, motivated partly by concern for Lennar and the consequences facing his family.
• Segalot and Cyrus’s relationship advances at the chapter’s end, as Cyrus openly initiates a more romantic phase between them.

Significant Themes

• Freedom versus status: Warner must choose between retaining noble dignity in confinement and surrendering his status in exchange for freedom.
• Power and legitimacy: Political control is not complete until the former ruler willingly abandons his claim, showing that symbolic legitimacy matters as much as military victory.
• Mercy and pragmatism: Cyrus balances compassion with caution, sparing his enemies while ensuring they can never threaten his rule again.
• Adaptation and persistence: Flathead’s resourcefulness reflects the chapter’s broader emphasis on survival, determination, and using available circumstances to achieve one’s goals.
• Rebuilding after conflict: The spread of crops, cotton gins, and weaving machines signals the territory’s transition from war toward economic development.
• Romantic progression: With the political conflict resolved, Cyrus turns his attention toward pursuing a closer relationship with Segalot.

Character Interactions

• Cyrus negotiates successfully with Flathead, naming it and earning its trust through gentle contact.
• Flathead’s constant challenges create comic conflict with Coalball, Eggy, Ice Cream, and the other animals.
• Cyrus and 098 discuss how the plot deviation can be completed, with 098 presenting several possible solutions.
• Cyrus and Warner engage in a tense, philosophical negotiation over imprisonment, death, freedom, noble status, and responsibility to family.
• Cyrus uses Warner’s concern for Lennar and the Gales family to make him reconsider his refusal.
• The chapter closes with Cyrus physically and verbally expressing affection toward Segalot, marking a shift from political resolution to romantic development.

Chapter 179 Summary — “Let’s Fall Sweetly in Love”

Plot Points and Events

• After the Plot Deviation Value reaches its goal, Cyrus privately confesses his feelings to Segalot, the Pope.
• Cyrus confirms his love with a kiss, and Segalot responds with overwhelming joy. The two share increasingly passionate kisses and begin exploring physical intimacy.
• They spend the night together, though they stop short of fully consummating their relationship. Both are inexperienced, and Segalot jokingly takes on the role of “teacher,” while Cyrus becomes increasingly bold and curious.
• The following morning, they wake up together affectionately. Their playful exchange includes teasing, kissing, biting, and Segalot joking that Cyrus needs more lessons. Cyrus firmly postpones further intimacy until the following month because of his work.
• Judas enters with clothes and supplies and reacts coldly toward Segalot, though he remains devoted to Cyrus. Once Segalot leaves, Judas privately asks whether Cyrus truly loves the Pope and worries that Segalot, as Pope, may not be able to commit fully.
• Cyrus reassures Judas that his feelings are sincere, not the result of coercion or temporary infatuation. He also declares that there will be no future mistress in his castle and believes Segalot’s position gives him the power to prove his devotion, beginning with the construction of the Saint Church in Visas.
• Cyrus resumes work on developing the newly occupied territory. His plans include roads, sanitation, river transport, military checkpoints, and a long-term five-year development program.
• He then focuses on medical, cultural, and technological progress, especially the growing drought and falling water levels in the Aibuting and Volri Rivers.
• Cyrus proposes constructing water-storage and irrigation facilities while cultivating drought-resistant crops such as upland rice. He plans to combine engineering teams from the Achiyoli Territory and Anas Kingdom and personally meet Queen Minina before returning to Par Mountain.

Character Development

• Cyrus: Openly accepts and expresses his love for Segalot. He becomes more confident and playful in their intimate relationship while maintaining personal boundaries and control over his priorities. He also demonstrates his characteristic foresight and responsibility by immediately returning to territorial administration and drought relief.
• Segalot: Shows deep emotional attachment and happiness at Cyrus’s confession. His affection becomes more openly physical and teasing, though he respects Cyrus’s limits when Cyrus postpones further intimacy. He is portrayed as genuinely devoted rather than merely acting out of political interest.
• Judas: Reveals his protective concern for Cyrus. Though wary of Segalot, he ultimately accepts Cyrus’s choice and promises unwavering loyalty.
• Archibald and Orville: Act as practical administrators who bring the drought and food-shortage crisis to Cyrus for discussion and help implement his solutions.

Significant Themes

• Love and mutual commitment: Cyrus and Segalot move from hidden or implied affection to an openly acknowledged romantic relationship.
• Trust versus political status: Cyrus recognizes the risks of loving someone as powerful and publicly bound as the Pope, but believes Segalot’s position can demonstrate the seriousness of his commitment.
• Personal desire versus responsibility: Despite their new relationship, Cyrus refuses to let romance distract him from governing and improving the territory.
• Development and long-term planning: The chapter emphasizes infrastructure, agricultural reform, public health, and systematic governance as tools for improving people’s lives.
• Environmental challenges: Drought, declining rivers, irrigation, and crop adaptation become increasingly important political and economic concerns.

Important Character Interactions

• Cyrus and Segalot: Confess their love, share their first significant intimate experience, and establish a playful but sincere romantic bond.
• Cyrus and Judas: Cyrus reassures Judas that he is acting freely and thoughtfully. Judas accepts the relationship while remaining concerned for Cyrus’s safety and happiness.
• Cyrus, Archibald, and Orville: Discuss practical responses to drought and food shortages, leading to plans for water conservation, irrigation, and drought-resistant agriculture.
• Cyrus and Queen Minina: Though they do not meet in the chapter, Cyrus plans a future visit to discuss cooperation on the large-scale relief and engineering projects.

Chapter 180 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Brali and Shamir say goodbye to Cyrus before returning to Cardy with Shamir’s father, Marquis Galli. Brali thanks Cyrus for aiding the Kadi Tribe and promises that they will help Desinia Territory in the future.
• Brali leaves the black panther Afra with Cyrus because she has bonded well with Black Sugar, hoping the two panthers will eventually have cubs.
• Cyrus notices that Shamir and Brali have grown closer. He blesses their relationship and asks them to invite him to their wedding, believing their developing romance offers Shamir a happier fate than in the original story.
• Orville also departs for Achiyoli Territory and asks Cyrus to inform him if Black Sugar and Afra have cubs.
• Cyrus travels to the Anas Kingdom to negotiate with Queen Minina about constructing water-storage ponds and dams along the upper Volri River. The project would help prevent drought, irrigate farmland, improve transportation, and provide flood protection.
• Because the upper river lies within Anas territory, Cyrus proposes exchanging territory so Desinia can control the construction and management of the dams. Minina initially hesitates but ultimately agrees, partly because of Cyrus’s immense influence and Desinia’s growing power.
• Before Cyrus leaves, Archibald privately asks whether he and the Pope are romantically involved. Cyrus confirms the relationship. Though Archibald is hurt, he promises to gradually let go and assures Cyrus that he will always be there if the Pope mistreats him.
• Cyrus later joins Segalot for dinner. Segalot admits that he was jealous of Cyrus’s long conversation with Archibald and affectionately demands comfort.
• After drinking wine, Cyrus becomes intoxicated and initiates a passionate kiss. Segalot, equally overwhelmed by his feelings, carries him toward the bed.

Character Developments

• Cyrus acts as a benevolent and politically strategic ruler. He supports Shamir’s happiness, negotiates long-term infrastructure benefits for his territory, and handles Archibald’s lingering feelings with compassion.
• Shamir appears to have moved away from her fixation on Cyrus and become genuinely closer to Brali.
• Brali demonstrates gratitude and growing affection for Shamir, suggesting their relationship may develop into marriage.
• Queen Minina recognizes Cyrus’s power and accepts the territorial exchange, showing practical political judgment.
• Archibald confronts his unrequited love for Cyrus. Although wounded, he chooses not to interfere and promises to let go gradually.
• Segalot reveals his jealousy and possessiveness more openly while also showing deep tenderness. Cyrus’s reciprocal affection reassures him that their love is mutual.

Significant Themes

• Alternate fate and second chances: Shamir’s potential romance with Brali represents a happier outcome than the one she would have experienced in the original story.
• Political power and long-term governance: Cyrus focuses on infrastructure that will protect and benefit people for generations, while using territorial diplomacy to secure control of vital resources.
• Unrequited love and emotional acceptance: Archibald must accept that Cyrus has chosen someone else, while preserving their friendship.
• Mutual romantic trust: Segalot’s jealousy and Cyrus’s reassurance highlight the couple’s growing intimacy and emotional dependence.
• Personal relationships alongside political responsibilities: Cyrus moves between diplomacy, friendship, and romance, balancing the needs of his territory with those close to him.

Important Character Interactions

• Cyrus and Brali/Shamir: Cyrus encourages their relationship and offers his blessing.
• Cyrus and Queen Minina: They negotiate control of the Volri River’s upper reaches through a territorial exchange.
• Cyrus and Archibald: Archibald confesses his continued pain, while Cyrus comforts him without offering false hope.
• Cyrus and Segalot: Their private dinner becomes an intimate reconciliation of Segalot’s jealousy, ending with mutual affection and a passionate encounter.