Chapter Summaries

A Bard recounted Broken Fang’s rescue of a boy and its execution by the Orr Empire, prompting Annan to seek confirmation and justice. Swaro brought their bodies to Annan, who faced the reality of the nobles’ cruelty.

• A Bard told a tavern that Broken Fang had rescued a boy at Hell Mountain and escorted him to the Northern Great Wall, where an Orr Empire commander executed them as spies and deserters.
• Annan vowed to clear Broken Fang’s name and ordered Olmedo to investigate.
• Annan told Femi what he had learned and sent Mr. Swaro’s amulet for Illymoyas, asking her to verify the story at the Northern Great Wall.
• Swaro arrived with Broken Fang’s and the boy’s bodies, and Annan saw that they were dead.
• Mr. Swaro told Annan that nobles commonly exploited and killed civilians, and that they viewed Annan as an upstart.

Annan exposed the Orr Empire’s murder of Broken Fang and Litt, revived Litt’s soulless spirit, and used the Voice of Freedom to spread the story across Middle Earth. The Orr Empire admitted wrongdoing and removed Paige as front-line commander, but Annan judged the response inadequate and faced the risk of public opinion turning against further pressure.

• Annan ordered the Tartun Empire informed, the Orr Empire pressured, Broken Fang’s name cleared, and Henry summoned, but Luoxi reported that the Bard had vanished after enchanting the tavern’s patrons.
• Henry found no soul in Broken Fang but raised a faint, mindless soul from Litt, whom he identified as a Wandering Soul; Annan asked Abby to find Litt’s family.
• Evelyn arranged an extra issue of the Voice of Freedom, which reported that the Orr Empire had murdered allied soldiers and civilians and recounted Broken Fang’s final words.
• The story spread across Middle Earth, and Paige claimed Broken Fang had lied about escaping from the front; Litt was identified as the youngest son of a lord in the Bogdan Maple Kingdom.
• Duke Kingsley announced that Paige would lose his command and return to the Orr Empire, but Annan said this punishment was insufficient while Olmedo warned that further pressure could alienate people.

Annan refused to accept the Orr Empire’s dismissal of Broken Fang’s death and confronted Duke Kingsley by long-distance spell. When Paige offered to replace the dead Ratfolk with others, Annan suspected the confrontation might serve Montreal Mountain’s larger purpose.

• Olmedo urged Annan to let the matter go, but Annan insisted he could say no when something was wrong.
• Ingrid brought word that the Tartun Empire wanted Annan to resolve the dispute with Duke Kingsley and warned him the Ratfolk might be trying to provoke him.
• Annan agreed to stay calm, confirmed he would attend Broken Fang’s funeral, and prepared to record his conversation with Duke Kingsley.
• Duke Kingsley denied any need to explain Broken Fang’s death and boasted that his higher standing let him berate Annan.
• Paige mocked Broken Fang’s death and offered to compensate his family by catching other Ratfolk, prompting Annan to suspect the Orr Empire was among those Montreal Mountain hoped to awaken.

Annan forced Count Paige Soma to apologize to Broken Fang, but the apology did not ease his grief or resolve his anger over the deaths of Broken Fang and Litt. When the Ratfolk used Fel Energy to seize the Graypeak Mountains and cut off contact with Hell Mountain, Annan was left facing a crisis Free City was too weak to solve.

• Annan demanded an apology to Broken Fang, and Paige apologized after Duke Kingsley pressured him to settle the matter.
• Annan refused Duke Kingsley's offer to take over Hell Mountain and told Olmedo and Idelia that he intended to become one of the Thirteen High Kings.
• Annan learned the young lord did not blame Paige, sent five hundred volunteers to the North, and attended Broken Fang and Litt's funerals.
• Annan discovered he could no longer open a Portal to Hell Mountain and initially suspected the Orr Empire.
• Dean Breichim confirmed that the Ratfolk had used Fel Energy to take control of the Graypeak Mountains, while the Tartun Empire and Orr Empire said they could not spare help.

As the Ratfolk intensified their assault on Hell Mountain and magic power dwindled, Femi’s forces struggled to hold the Camp without reinforcements. With their supplies running low and no way to open a Portal, Femi decided they would escape by Teleportation at midnight on August 12.

• Locran told Femi and Ymir that the Ratfolk had dispersed the magic power around Hell Mountain, preventing Lord Annan from opening a Portal and threatening the Camp’s magical defenses.
• The Ratfolk launched a fiercer attack while their main force struck the Northern Great Wall, and Femi’s forces used Magic Muskets as their supplies dwindled.
• Femi stopped Ah, Aloma, Little William, and Richardson from working on the front line, telling them to record events and protect her.
• After the Ratfolk breached the Camp again at dusk, Femi led the retreat into the Basement, where Ymir sealed the entrance.
• Femi proposed abandoning Hell Mountain and using Teleportation to reach a Hunter’s Village east of the mountain, then ordered the breakout for midnight on August 12.

Femi led the survivors of Hell Mountain through a Portal to escape the Rat Tide, but a Ratfolk Ritualist destroyed it and stranded Ymir behind. The column continued east, where Femi met Illymoyas and sent her to tell Annan what had happened.

• Femi convinced the others to begin the Breakout and prepared the remaining 5,834 people to leave Hell Mountain.
• As the mages opened a Portal, a Ratfolk Ritualist attacked it, but Ymir used her broken Vine Root Staff to dispel the Fel Energy and complete the passage.
• The troops passed through the Portal into a Village, but fluorescent green Fel Energy struck it and made it vanish, leaving Ymir behind.
• Femi waited ten minutes for the Portal to reopen, then ordered the column east as Ratfolk began gathering around them.
• Illymoyas arrived with White Dragons, and Femi told her to find a place with Magic Power and inform Annan that Ymir was stranded.

Femi led the exhausted Legion east toward Dimon Kingdom while Blom and three hundred volunteers stayed behind to fight the pursuing Ratfolk. After learning the Legion was trapped beyond the Graypeak Mountains, Annan resolved to act and called on Free City to help bring its Warriors home.

• Femi sent Blom and three hundred volunteers to hold off the Ratfolk while the main force continued east.
• Femi's Legion used Fire Oil barrels against the Rat Tide, with a Warrior and an Elf Ranger setting off an explosive attack.
• Illymoyas told Annan that Femi's Legion was heading toward Dimon Kingdom but faced Ratfolk along the way.
• Annan told Olmedo and his eldest sister that he had made his decision, and they agreed to support him.
• Annan addressed Free City's residents, declared that the city must help the Warriors in the North, and urged them to bring the Legion home.

Annan prepared Free City to rise as a Floating City and travel north to fight the Ratfolk, while allies and residents gathered for the journey. He learned that the city would move only as fast as migrating birds, and merchants offered to get it to the Graypeak Mountains in two days for fifteen million Gold Narls.

• Kia Peterson learned that Free City was a Floating City powered by a Medium Arcane Power Core and mocked Annan for not having made it fly sooner.
• Annan’s staff prepared Free City for flight by installing Mountain Copper Cannons, checking buildings, setting aside port warehouses, and inviting allies to join the trip north.
• Ingrid found that residents and tourists wanted to stay aboard the rising city, while Aunt Susan organized women to bring in plants and laundry.
• Henry and the Necromancers led the Skeleton Ratfolk into the Forest Mountains to harvest timber, planting replacement trees as they went.
• Lady Deepwinter, the Skeleton King, Vampire nobles, and other allies arrived in Free City to support Annan’s campaign.
• The Skeleton King assured Annan that the city could withstand the Ratfolk’s Anti-Magic Field, but said it would travel only as fast as migrating birds; merchants then offered to transport it to the Graypeak Mountains in two days for fifteen million Gold Narls.

Annan secured the Arcane Power Core and alchemical support needed to turn Free City into a Floating City and reach the Graypeak Mountains. On August thirteenth, Free City rose into the sky as its residents watched in amazement.

• Annan rented Wilhelm's support for a hundred thousand gold coins and traded six hundred thousand gold coins for a Small Arcane Power Core and an Alchemist.
• Kini Whiteman installed the Small Arcane Power Core, increased the power output, and prepared Free City to reach the Graypeak Mountains in less than two days.
• Olmedo persuaded Grand Duke Girardi to leave Free City, and the city gathered the latest group of about seven hundred Auxiliary Legion members.
• On August thirteenth, Annan, Idelia, and Olmedo appeared on the City Lord's Mansion terrace as Free City began to rise.
• Free City broke free of the ground, and the Wheat River spilled over its edge in a waterfall as residents cheered and reporters recorded the ascent.

Annan’s Free City rose into the sky and set off toward the Graypeak Mountains, while he worried about reaching the North in time. As the city passed Tor Fief, Annan dreamed that Illymoyas died defending the fleeing army from the Ratfolk.

• Annan ordered Luoxi to inspect Free City after it lifted off, and the Guard Legion reported no serious damage or casualties.
• Annan inspected the city's edge, ordered a Mountain Copper Cannon platform moved, and learned from Olmedo that they would reach the Graypeak Mountains before dawn the next day.
• Free City passed over Tor Fief as its residents explored the Clouds, while Annan rested in the Blacksmith Shop.
• In Annan's nightmare, the mages died holding back the Ratfolk, and Illymoyas fell after Fel Energy weakened her.
• Annan woke from the nightmare grieving and hoped they would reach the North in time.

Femi’s battered force fought its way to a river as the Rat Tide destroyed most of their numbers, and Illymoyas carried the mages across while the warriors held the bank. Just before dawn, Locran spotted the Floating City approaching, but the Centurion he had carried to safety had died.

• Blom sacrificed his three hundred soldiers to delay the Rat Swarm, while Femi’s force fought east under mounting losses.
• Illymoyas arrived with news that Annan was coming, but a Ratfolk Priest’s Fel Energy brought her down before she rose again and cleared a path with the remaining White Dragons.
• After two days of fighting, Femi’s survivors reached a river, where Georgina watched a young soldier die protecting her and Nina pulled her back into the fight.
• Femi ordered Illymoyas to carry the mages across first while he and the wounded stayed behind to hold off the Rat Tide; Aloma learned that Richardson had died.
• Locran spotted the Floating City on the horizon and announced that help had arrived, then realized the wounded Centurion he carried had died.

Annan rescued the surviving warriors from the Rat Tide, learned that many—including Blom and Ymir—were missing or dead, and promised the wounded a counterattack. He delivered the fallen warriors’ last letters to their families, ending at Ram Blatt’s home, where his mother calmly read a letter about savings she already knew of.

• Annan brought the surviving warriors back to Free City, and the citizens greeted them with respect as the wounded were sent to the hospital.
• Olmedo learned that Blom and three hundred warriors had stayed behind; Free City found only bloodied equipment where they had fought, and Annan ordered Luoxi to clear out the Rat Swarm.
• Annan visited the wounded, promised Ymir’s companion that they would search for Ymir, and told the warriors they would repay the Rat Tide in blood.
• The surviving warriors’ last letters were delivered to their families, and Annan personally carried the final letter to Ram Blatt’s home.
• Ram Blatt’s wife fainted when Annan confirmed Ram had died, while his elderly mother accepted the letter and said she already knew where he had hidden his savings.

After reviewing Free City’s losses and the Orr Empire’s demand, Annan argued that Free City should strike the Ratfolk for its own reasons rather than fight for the Empire. As the Floating City headed toward Hell Mountain, the council discussed turning it into a war fortress but learned that Free City lacked the weaponry and resources to do so.

• Olmedo read the casualty list, and Evelyn brought recordings proving Free City’s Warriors had held out until the twelfth, allowing the city to reject the Orr Empire’s order.
• Annan told the council about Lamm Bratt’s mother asking whether her son had been brave, then argued that Free City should make the Ratfolk pay without fighting for the Orr Empire.
• Olmedo asked Annan which side he supported, and Annan said he agreed with both Olmedo’s call for a purposeful fight and Lady Deepwinter’s wish to hurt the Ratfolk.
• As the Floating City drifted toward Hell Mountain to see whether Ymir could be rescued, Annan asked how other Floating Cities fought and learned that Free City lacked the Mage Towers and resources needed for combat.
• Maid Abby brought Apple Pie and roast meat from Aunt Susan, prompting the weary council members to pause their discussion and eat.

Annan and Olmedo struggled to find a way to fight the Ratfolk without further losses as Free City reached Hell Mountain. Olmedo found Ymir’s hidden last letters, learned that Ymir had died, and joined Annan in planning to search the Allied Forces’ strongholds for survivors.

• Annan rejected retreat and proposed circling the mountains to search for surviving Allied Forces, while the council discussed Free City’s limited weapons and resources.
• Free City reached Hell Mountain, where Olmedo searched the Basement for Ymir and the Skeleton King said the fallen warriors’ souls had passed to the River of the Dead.
• A guard found the warriors’ last letters hidden beneath stones, and Olmedo delivered them to Idelia before telling the Elven envoys that Ymir was likely dead.
• An elven Archmage confirmed that Ymir had returned to the World Tree, and the elven mages attacked the Rat Tide below the mountain.
• Annan and Olmedo studied a map and decided to check the Allied Forces’ strongholds for survivors rather than assume they had all fallen.

Milk Ibe refused Paige’s demand to summon Annan, while Free City rescued Allied soldiers trapped along the Great Wall as the Ratfolk overran their positions. After dangerous Ratfolk priests damaged Free City, Annan considered how the Ratfolk might try to seize the Floating City.

• Milk Ibe rejected Paige’s demand to act against Annan and took command from him.
• Annan received a map from the new frontline commander and sent Free City to rescue survivors at a marked Defense Line.
• Dean Breichim opened a Portal, and Luoxi brought Soldier Captain Anthony and more than two hundred soldiers aboard Free City.
• Annan told Olmedo and Idelia that the Empire’s policies were sacrificing its best soldiers, then led Free City to rescue more survivors.
• Grayfur Rat Priests blasted chunks from Free City’s edge, and a Centurion warned Annan that the Ratfolk might covet its Mountain Copper.
• Annan began considering what the Ratfolk would do if they encountered a target they could neither hurt nor catch.

Annan learned about new Ratfolk threats, considered stronger defenses for Free City, and used compensation payments to encourage Allied Forces survivors to stay. The chapter ended with him sending the remaining Gold Coins to Illymoyas after her watchful presence disappeared.

• The Centurion told Annan that interdimensional and blinking Ratfolk could threaten Free City and advised monitoring magical fluctuations.
• Annan asked Copperbeard to design a powerful Mountain Copper cannon, but they could not find a way to launch its enormous Cannonball.
• Annan visited the hospital survivors and held a ceremony distributing compensation to families of fallen soldiers and disabled Allied Forces veterans.
• Annan persuaded Soldier Captain Anthony to accept his compensation and planned to win the veterans' gratitude so they would remain in Free City.
• Annan told Ingrid to send the remaining Gold Coins to Illymoyas, and the feeling of being watched from the Crystal Lair vanished.

Annan brought the rescued Allied Forces back to Free City, then discussed expanding the city's forces as its citizens eagerly prepared to fight. Evelyn brought him a newspaper, while King Clo learned that Free City had reached the Graypeak Mountains without his knowledge.

• Annan let Free City residents pay to fire cannons at the Ratfolk, boosting morale and earning revenue.
• Free City retrieved the last Allied Forces survivors, and Annan's officials voted to return home and expand the city's legions.
• Annan explained to Anthony that Free City's citizens wanted to defend their comfortable lives, though Anthony initially struggled to understand.
• Evelyn entered Annan's office through a window and showed him a newspaper.
• King Clo angrily confronted his ministers after reading that Free City had reached the Graypeak Mountains without anyone informing him.

After a blood-written message urged Annan to investigate Lai Lesao Valley in person, he decided to travel there while Free City followed at a distance to provide support. Free City left the Graypeak Mountains for Dimon Kingdom, drawing mixed reactions from those following the Rat Tide.

• Clo dismissed concerns about Free City and ordered Rikaner Kingdom to respond to its show of strength.
• Evelyn found a blood-red message on the back of a newspaper telling Annan to go to Lai Lesao Valley and witness the Ratfolk's true objective.
• Annan consulted Lilith and Olmedo, who found no sign of magic and located Lai Lesao Valley in Dimon Kingdom.
• Annan planned to go alone with several companions, but Idelia suggested Free City follow behind to support him and gather refugees.
• Annan accepted Idelia's plan, and Free City departed the Graypeak Mountains toward Dimon Kingdom.

Annan visited Gray Silver Fortress while the Floating City opened a free Portal to Free City and drew refugees into the city. Disguised and accompanied by Illymoyas, he gathered news about the war and learned that Lesao Valley held the kingdom’s elite forces, making it safer than the fortress.

• The Floating City arrived outside Gray Silver Fortress, opened a free Portal to Free City, and Olmedo discussed its growth with the fortress general.
• Annan walked through the fortress with Illymoyas and Lemon, and Illymoyas removed the gemstones from her conspicuous dress.
• Annan went to a tavern to ask about the north and heard patrons argue over who owned the Floating City and what Magic Film was.
• Annan questioned a man scarred by Ratfolk claws, who said the Dimon Kingdom had lost its Northern Province but was holding off the Ratfolk and Demons.
• The man told Annan that Lesao Valley was safer than Gray Silver Fortress because elite troops who had retreated from Snow Mountain Fortress and the north had gathered there.

Annan traveled to Lesao Valley with Illymoyas to investigate the message, while struggling with guilt over sending soldiers to the battlefield. He learned that the Holy Grail Knight was holding back the Broken Ridge Tribe until the autumn harvest, but questioned whether the report was true when he heard an unfamiliar voice beside him.

• Annan gave a mercenary a silver coin to travel to Free City and report stories back to him, after Illymoyas took back the gold Kinnar he had offered.
• Olmedo noticed Annan's troubled mood, and he admitted that he could not face the soldiers and mercenaries who trusted him before sending them to battle.
• Illymoyas told Annan that warriors valued glory above death, then carried him and Lemon on her Blue Dragon form to Lesao Valley.
• Annan questioned an information broker named Fox at the Evening Breeze Tavern and learned that the Holy Grail Knight and Snow Mountain Fortress's warriors had stopped the Broken Ridge Tribe at the border.
• Annan doubted Fox's claim that Lesao Valley could hold the ratfolk until the harvest was shipped, then turned toward an unfamiliar voice asking what was wrong.