Chapter Summaries

The Council Chairman trapped Annan, Olin, and Kyle while he pursued his plan to revive Vitalig. After Annan pieced together how the Council Chairman had used him to clear obstacles to Vitalig’s return, a burst of light above Montreal Mountain marked the start of the Council Chairman’s move against the Empire.

• The Council Chairman took the Fruit of Corruption and trapped Annan, Olin, and Kyle behind a Barrier, asking them to keep his plan secret.
• Annan realized the Council Chairman intended to reach the Royal Magic Academy and bring Vitalig back to life.
• Annan explained how the Council Chairman had manipulated his investigations and actions to purge the Kingdom’s enemies and prepare for Vitalig’s succession.
• Olin’s anger faded as she recognized Irwin as a worthy opponent, despite his possible opposition to the Empire.
• A brilliant light erupted above Montreal Mountain, followed by a tremor, as the Council Chairman began his move against the Empire.

Annan waited as the Council Chairman attacked Montreal Mountain, but Vitalig arrived after the barrier fell and revealed that Teacher Irwin had died rescuing him. With the Chairman’s final message in mind, Annan chose to take Vitalig to Free City before deciding the Kingdom’s fate.

• Annan worried about the Council Chairman’s attack on Montreal Mountain and considered intervening, but the mountain’s magical barrier suddenly vanished.
• Vitalig Montreal arrived and explained that Teacher Irwin had drawn the Empire’s forces away so he could escape, and they had killed Irwin.
• Olin went to the city to investigate, while Annan told her to inform the Old Ancestor about Vitalig and Irwin’s fate.
• Vitalig passed on Teacher Irwin’s message that he had to die so the Empire would let the matter rest and Annan would stop.
• Annan asked Vitalig to go to Free City so they could decide the Kingdom’s fate there, and Vitalig agreed.

Annan strengthened the Blade of Freedom’s hold over the Kingdom of Rikaner while Vitalig and Olmedo negotiated over the Kingdom’s future. The chapter ended with Vitalig offering reparations in exchange for Free City’s support.

• The Duchy of Keating’s Twin Ministers refused to send troops to help the Kingdom, choosing instead to keep selling it goods.
• Annan doubted the Council Chairman had died and continued the war while Vitalig negotiated with Olmedo in Free City.
• Reynaldo brought wavering Councilors to meet Annan, who revealed his identity and persuaded them to join the Blade of Freedom.
• Annan returned to Free City and joined Olmedo and Vitalig as they argued over whether Free City should relinquish control of parts of the Kingdom.
• Vitalig offered to take back what Clo had sold to the Ratfolk and proposed reparations under a Contract as the future King of Reekan.

Annan, Olmedo, and Vitalig sealed a contract that would return occupied land, pay reparations, hand Agawar over to Free City, and protect civilians if Vitalig became King. As Free City headed for the New Royal Capital to face the Ratfolk, Ingrid offered Vitalig weapons and ways to finance them.

• Annan, Olmedo, and Vitalig agreed that the Kingdom would pay reparations over ten years, return the occupied land, and surrender Agawar to Free City.
• Annan urged Vitalig to protect civilians from hunger, enslavement, and displacement, and Vitalig promised he would.
• The former enemies sealed the contract and agreed to help Vitalig stage a coup, while the Empire waited to see whether he could restore the Kingdom and defend the Northern Frontier.
• Annan and his allies sent Free City north toward the New Royal Capital, where they expected a final battle against the Ratfolk.
• Vitalig toured Free City and watched its Musketeers train with Magic Muskets as Ingrid introduced the city's cannons and Knight Golems.
• When Vitalig said the Kingdom could not afford more weapons, Ingrid offered to trade them for mineral resources or provide loans.

The Blade of Freedom took Tongbu City after its guards opened the gates and captured City Lord Montella, who had been betrayed over grain adulterated with sand and sawdust. Little Smo questioned Montella’s fleeing Advisors and exposed their attempt to claim credit for helping the Blade of Freedom, then handed them over to the guards.

• Montella believed a false victory report and dismissed warnings that the Blade of Freedom was approaching Tongbu City.
• The guards captured Montella and the Advisors, revealing that grain adulteration had driven them to betray the city lord.
• The Blade of Freedom seized Tongbu City’s four gates in twenty minutes, while its stationed knights failed to mount a defense.
• Little Smo questioned Montella and then confronted the Advisors, who claimed they had engineered the guards’ resentment to help the Blade of Freedom.
• Little Smo told the Advisors he would hand them over to the guards, and they realized he had not meant the reverse.

Annan’s campaign on the Sunset Plains stalled after Agawar massacred a Blade of Freedom escort, forcing Annan to remain in the Outskirts and prepare to lure him out. As the satellite towns’ soldiers and civilians turned against their rulers, Free City arrived on the horizon, ending the nobles’ uneasy sense of safety.

• Agawar attacked a Blade of Freedom escort and killed its fighters and the townspeople, so Annan gathered his forces and waited in the Outskirts for a chance to strike back.
• Soldiers in the satellite towns deserted for the Blade of Freedom, and a patrol’s treatment of one returning deserter fueled growing resentment among the people.
• The nobles’ loyal hounds confiscated leaflets and bread, while more patrol members disappeared and their Captain was found beheaded.
• The nobles trapped the Blade of Freedom’s commander, paraded him through the streets, and locked him in the Dungeon, but he was rescued that night and those involved in the trap were found hanged.
• The nobles stopped provoking the Blade of Freedom, then saw a shadow appear on the horizon as Free City arrived at the Sunset Plains.

Free City’s arrival inspired the people of Sunset Plains to rise against Frostsnow City, and the knights opened the gates after refusing to keep slaughtering civilians. Annan returned to Free City, ordered aid for the casualties and arrests of Frostsnow’s nobles, then spoke with Vitalig about what would follow the war.

• The people of Sunset Plains charged Frostsnow City’s defenders, and the knights began laying down their weapons as civilians kept falling.
• The Knight Captain ordered the gates opened, then killed himself, leaving his Deputy to witness the Blade of Freedom entering the city.
• Olmedo read a report stating that civilian casualties exceeded seven thousand and asked where Annan was.
• Annan returned to Free City, ordered compensation for the dead and treatment for the wounded, and commanded that Frostsnow City’s nobles be arrested and investigated.
• Annan met Vitalig at the Dueling Arena and promised Free City’s support against the Ratfolk and demons after the war.
• Vitalig told Annan that Teacher Irwin had warned him not to reveal what he had said about Annan.

Annan, Olmedo, and Vitalig prepared a political maneuver to reclaim the New Royal Capital and exploit tensions among the ratfolk clans. After Vitalig thanked Annan for giving Lilith freedom, Ingrid arrived with a battle report, and Annan asked Vitalig to help stage a show.

• Olmedo outlined a plan to spread word that the Council Chairman had revived Annan and to rally support for Vitalig in the New Royal Capital.
• Annan explained that he intended to use the Stuen and McKennan Clans' rivalry while keeping Vitalig's role and secrets hidden.
• Annan and Vitalig left the football match, and Vitalig visited Lilith after Annan assured him it was all right.
• Vitalig thanked Annan for preserving Lilith's sense of self and giving her freedom.
• Ingrid brought Annan a battle report, and Annan asked Vitalig to help put on a show.

Claude joined a suicide squad tasked with drawing out Agawar while Annan staged a public procession and banquet to lure him to Free City. Agawar attacked with a Meteor Firestorm, but Lilith raised a shield that held, and Annan dropped a Crystal as the demon king prepared another spell.

• Claude wrote an unsent letter to Miss Yanes, then joined his squad as Captain announced their mission to draw out Agawar at Madison Farmstead.
• Claude questioned what would happen to Free City if Lord Skeleton and Lord Bat followed the bait squads, but Captain said they had to trust Lord Annan’s plan.
• Annan publicized Free City’s alliance with Vitalig and held a Royal Procession and banquet to tempt Agawar into attacking.
• Lilith sensed Agawar’s Falling Stars and created a barrier around Free City that withstood his Meteor Firestorm.
• Agawar appeared above Free City and gathered a Magic Tide as Annan dropped a Crystal from the terrace.

Annan and the Sorcerer Protection Association stopped Agawar’s summoned Meteorite from destroying Free City, then captured and Sealed him. Annan sentenced Agawar to death under their Contract, while Olmedo questioned whether Free City could afford to lose a Legendary combatant.

• The Sorcerer Protection Association’s believers confronted Agawar as his Spell summoned a Meteorite toward Free City.
• The Red Dragon Sorcerer sacrificed herself to slow the Meteorite, a Legendary Warrior weakened it, and Lilith used power from the Breeze City Tower Spirit to destroy it.
• The Skeleton King’s Legendary Weakness Spell helped the believers Seal Agawar after he tried to escape.
• Annan thanked the believers, who collected the Red Dragon Sorcerer’s remains and vanished.
• Annan told Agawar that their Contract required his death, ordered him locked in the Dungeon, and gave him one day to prepare his last words.
• Olmedo asked Annan to reconsider executing Agawar, but Annan asked whether she could let go of her hatred.

Annan prepared to execute Agawar, both to punish him for abandoning the Northern Frontier and to make use of his body as an Undead. Free City hanged the Legendary Mage before a vast crowd, while the New Royal Capital’s nobles reconsidered their loyalty.

• Annan asked the Skeleton King to turn Agawar into an Undead after his execution, and learned the risen Mage would retain at most Epic power and lose his personal attachments and hatred.
• Annan announced that Free City would put Agawar on trial and execute him the next day, shocking the banquet guests.
• Agawar refused to reveal where he had hidden his wealth when Annan questioned him in the Dungeon.
• The New Royal Capital’s nobles recognized their shrinking strength and debated surrendering to the Blade of Freedom or supporting Vitalig.
• Annan publicly sentenced Agawar for abandoning the Northern Frontier, and an executioner hanged him before tens of thousands in Free City.

After Agawar was executed and converted into the loyal skeleton Aga, Annan learned about the New Royal Capital’s remaining strength and ordered Free City’s forces to press their advance. The allied army captured the towns and cities across Sunset Plains and reached within thirty miles of the capital.

• Annan had Agawar executed, then accepted the Skeleton King’s finished conversion and bound Aga to her with a drop of blood.
• Aga revealed that Agawar had hidden treasure in Breeze City and that only three Legendaries remained in the New Royal Capital, though the Royal Family held a trump card weaker than Annan’s crystal.
• Annan named the skeleton Aga, gave him a Mage Robe, and assigned him to guard the City Lord’s Mansion before telling Olmedo to continue the attack.
• Free City’s legions and allied troops captured the remaining towns and cities on Sunset Plains, while Howler’s forces disarmed a captured female Knight Captain and treated the captives according to Free City’s rules.
• On December 29, the five great Knights’ Orders and surrendered troops advanced to within thirty miles of the New Royal Capital.

Annan posed as Young Miss Olmedo to draw out the Kingdom’s remaining resistance, while Clo came under the Holy Race’s control and learned they planned to replace him. Olmedo prepared to take the capital with help from the Stuen Clan, and Annan reported that only supporters of Free City or people who would soon regret resisting remained inside.

• Young Miss Olmedo demanded troops from the councilors, and several lent her their private soldiers after she promised only to make trouble for the Blade of Freedom.
• Young Miss Olmedo led several hundred elite soldiers out of the city and ordered Reynaldo to arrest the newspaper staff, but Bess Wilt escaped to the palace and found Clo awake.
• Clo heard that Free City had reached the capital, then the Holy Envoy appeared and told him that the Holy Race had decided to replace him.
• Gale told Olmedo that the Stuen Clan would help take the Kingdom by posing as McKennan Clan envoys and ordering Clo to stop resisting.
• Olmedo checked the map and noted that the Ratfolk had grown restless, while Annan revealed he had used Young Miss Olmedo’s disguise to draw out the remaining resistance.

Annan and Vitalig led their forces into the New Royal Capital after its nobles joined their alliance, and Vitalig began establishing himself as King. Vitalig declared that reclaiming the Old Royal Capital would be his life’s goal, then asked where Clo was.

• Olmedo worried that the victory had come too easily and wondered whether Clo would surrender or stake everything on a final move.
• Nearly ten thousand knights and mages gathered outside the New Royal Capital, while the Red Witch argued that Annan should exploit the Kingdom’s people rather than take responsibility for them.
• Annan and Vitalig approached the city, whose gates opened without resistance, and Annan let Vitalig enter ahead of him as the new King.
• Vitalig entered the House of Representatives before going to the Royal Palace and declared that returning to the Old Royal Capital would be his lifelong goal.
• Vitalig promised the Kingdom would recover and prosper, then asked where Clo was; the Minister of the Interior said Clo was still asleep.

Annan and Vitalig found Clo hiding in the Royal Bedchamber after the Ratfolk Elder revealed his location. Clo used the Rulebook to force Annan into a battlefield contest, leaving the two to face each other through their armies.

• Annan was affected by the Calling Bell's Fel Energy, but Gale disabled its influence before it could sound a second time.
• The Ratfolk Elder appeared, accepted Annan's offer of cooperation, and told him where Clo was hiding.
• Annan and Vitalig found Clo wearing the Crown and Cloak of the Montreal kings, and Vitalig demanded his surrender.
• Clo activated the Rulebook, which separated Annan from Vitalig and forced Annan and Clo into a strategic contest using their armies as Map Tokens.
• Clo recreated the Rikaner Kingdom's Southlands on a sand table and challenged Annan to prove his forces could defeat Clo's.

Annan defeated Clo in the War Map by turning the Kingdom’s neglected subjects against him and conquering the New Royal Capital. As Clo vanished, he warned Annan to keep his useless Younger Brother away from the Ratfolk.

• Annan and Clo fought over the Kingdom on the War Map, as Clo sent reinforcements to defend cities and pursue Free City.
• Annan captured cities by evading Clo’s forces, attacking isolated tokens, and distributing food and money to the townspeople.
• Clo’s troops seized the aid and attacked towns, causing their loyalty and morale to collapse until many joined Free City or became unaligned.
• Annan’s forces retook the towns without bloodshed and stormed the New Royal Capital, defeating Clo.
• Annan told Clo that he had lost because he treated his subjects like tokens, and Clo vanished into the Book of Order after warning Annan about the Ratfolk.

After defeating Clo, Annan helped Vitalig secure the Rikaner throne and negotiated political and economic ties between the Kingdom and Free City. Vitalig was crowned on January 1, 1003, and the chapter ended with the war over and Free City’s influence strengthened.

• Annan took the Rulebook, and Vitalig accepted Clo’s death and announced that he would become the new king.
• Vitalig addressed the officials and scheduled his Succession Ceremony for the first day of the new year, while Annan allowed Blade of Freedom members to choose whether to stay.
• Annan handed the remaining troops to Vitalig, won the support of the Kingdom’s Three Legends, and worked with him on reforms, including halving the Farm Tax.
• Free City and the Kingdom shifted their trade relationship, while Annan and officials on both sides handled cooperation, political disputes, and preparations for the ceremony.
• On January 1, 1003, Princess Sails crowned Vitalig the Sixteenth King of the Rikaner Kingdom, and he declared his principles of prosperity, returning to the Old Land, and overcoming humiliation.
• An imperial envoy told Annan that the Imperial Military Department had ordered him to forgive Vitalig if he showed courage or kill him if he proved cowardly; Annan then toasted Vitalig as the war ended.

Annan visited the Land of Eternal Night after the war and spoke with Selenao about Lena, the Stuart Family’s burdens, and his plans to return to Star-Moon Bay. He promised Lena he would return before her birthday, then prepared to go home now that the Rikaner Kingdom and other obstacles were gone.

• Annan visited the Land of Eternal Night and met family members and Servants who had recently emerged from their coffins.
• Lena pretended to stumble, tried to bite Annan, and later asked how long he would stay.
• Selenao told Annan he should have accepted Lena’s First Embrace and explained that Lena was resting before taking up her family’s duties.
• Annan asked whether he could help the Stuart Family, but Selenao said he could not, and he told her he planned to return to Star-Moon Bay.
• Lena declared herself the Crimson Sovereign to a group of young vampires, then hugged Annan and heard his promise to return before her birthday.
• Annan prepared to return to Star-Moon Bay, where his companions’ old dream had first taken shape.

Annan was forced by Olmedo to help address Free City’s growing administrative problems after refugees from the Rikaner Kingdom filled the city. He gathered the officials for a late-night meeting, beginning with the question of where to house the Kingdom’s nobles.

• Olmedo explained that purchasing another Medium Arcane Power Core would expand Free City to about 1,750 meters, and she trapped Annan in her office to make him handle paperwork.
• Annan learned Free City was full after receiving hundreds of thousands of refugees from the Rikaner Kingdom, and he agreed to use a Merit System to determine who could live there.
• Annan suggested discussing the city’s problems with officials together, and Olmedo agreed to arrange a meeting.
• That evening, Annan brought Lily to the Council Chamber, where Free City’s old hands and wartime newcomers gathered with Olmedo and Idelia.
• Annan welcomed the officials and opened the meeting by asking where to put the Kingdom’s nobles.

Annan led a long Council Hall meeting about the nobles who had joined Free City, its growth, and plans for Gem Bay. He ended by announcing that he planned to return to Star-Moon Bay, bringing Aga—once Agawar—and citing Agawar’s hidden fortune as an excuse.

• Annan rejected proposals to punish the nobles who had joined Free City, and Reynaldo argued they should be left to adapt under the city’s rules.
• Annan discussed acquiring a second Arcane Core and building new facilities, including a Portal, while officials requested expansions to their institutions.
• Annan announced a Merit System for admitting talented contributors from Gem Bay to Free City.
• Annan proposed developing a Train and Railway Tracks to promote trade and prosperity in Gem Bay.
• After the meeting continued through the night, Annan announced his plan to return to Star-Moon Bay and introduced Aga, formerly Agawar, whose hidden fortune would serve as his excuse.