Chapter Summaries

Annan arranged for the Otherworld Tree to feed on rescued Oddities and then turned to Michael’s attempt to build a Steam Engine. The machine turned out to be powered by Goblins, and Annan let Michael return to his alchemical research with the promise of more funding.

• Annan introduced the Otherworld Tree to Slug and assigned the former Executioners to carry it and feed it prisoners after executions.
• Annan visited Mushroom House, where Michael presented a working gear machine he claimed was a Steam Engine.
• Annan discovered that three Goblins running in a wheel powered the machine, and Michael admitted he had built it as a temporary substitute.
• Michael said he needed time to study the knowledge required to build a real Steam Engine, so Annan told him to focus on his unstable crystal research instead.
• Annan promised Michael more funding if he won next year’s Freedom Cup Great Invention Award, and Michael agreed to pursue it.

Annan tried to get a steam engine built, but the Blacksmith Shop lacked workers and Michael was already overwhelmed with assignments. Olmedo urged Annan to slow down and recognize how much Free City had accomplished, but a shriek interrupted their conversation.

• Annan rejected Michael’s goblin-powered machine and decided to develop a steam engine himself.
• Annan asked Copperbeard to forge parts from Tempered Steel, but Copperbeard refused to prioritize the work because the Blacksmith Shop lacked skilled hands.
• Annan persuaded Michael to brew Distilled Liquor for Copperbeard, though Michael still would not let Annan into the Alchemy Room.
• Olmedo told Annan that he was overloading Michael and other specialists, and urged him to slow down and appreciate Free City’s progress.
• As Annan began to consider why he was rushing, someone shrieked at him and Olmedo.

Annan discussed his plans for Free City with Olmedo and Irilanze, then gave Copperbeard Michael's Distilled Liquor in exchange for her review of the Steam Engine blueprints. As Free City’s projects continued, a Druid arrived with news before Copperbeard had finished the review.

• Irilanze misunderstood Annan and Olmedo’s closeness, then learned Olmedo had only been helping him and questioned whether he was seeking revenge on the Elven Royal Court.
• Annan insisted he wanted to develop Free City quickly, and teased Olmedo about being one of the Long-lived Races.
• Irilanze and Olmedo resumed their friendship, while Head Maid Abby hid her relief after Irilanze questioned her.
• Annan stored Michael's Distilled Liquor in his Magic Ring and returned to the Blacksmith Shop, where Copperbeard agreed to review the Steam Engine blueprints in ten days.
• On the last day of April, a Druid arrived while Annan was still waiting for news from Copperbeard.

Annan tried to persuade the Druids to bless Free City's farmland, but they objected to the city’s expansion into nature and agreed only to bless the nearby Forest. After they refused to bless Gem Bay, Annan went to question a prisoner whose legal argument gave him an idea.

• Annan and Dade welcomed Serana and the Druids to Free City, where the Druids disapproved of its houses and farmland spreading near the Forest.
• Annan showed the Druids the protected Woodland, where House-Elves played with children, and Serana asked to bless the Forest.
• After blessing the Forest, Serana told Annan that the other Druids refused to bless Gem Bay and urged him to persuade them before they left.
• Annan considered asking Treebeard to intervene, but Dade explained that the Druids were already among the most willing to deal with humans.
• Annan read a briefing about a prisoner who had exploited a legal loophole, then went to the prison and asked the man whether he knew who he was.

Annan recruited the captured Viper Thieves' Guild spy Peterson by offering him a chance to avoid his sentence if he could persuade the Druids to bless the Wheat Field. Annan supported Peterson’s appeal, but the Druids refused to deal with humans, leaving the proposed blessing unresolved.

• Annan identified Peterson as a Viper Thieves' Guild spy and challenged him to find a way to clear himself under the Free City Code.
• Peterson exploited Annan’s wording to deny swindling him, and Annan offered to waive his sentence if he completed a task.
• Annan assigned Peterson to persuade the Druids to bless the Wheat Field and took him to meet them with Dade.
• Peterson compared growing Wheat to the Druids tending trees, but the Druids rejected the comparison and refused to bless the humans.
• Annan argued that human fields could reduce encroachment on nature and invited the Druids to help create a territory living in harmony with it.
• An Elf Druid told Annan that the Druids wanted no dealings with humans, ending the appeal without their agreement.

Annan struggled with the Druids’ distrust of humans, sought Elena’s advice, and resolved to overcome their prejudice. Meanwhile, Serana and the Druids found humans cutting trees on the western side of the Forest Mountains and drove the woodcutters away.

• Annan assigned Peterson to Francois, sent Dade back to focus on the Otherworld Tree, and retreated to his bedroom after the Druids rejected him.
• Annan visited Elena at the Succubus Massage Parlor and discussed how prejudice kept the Druids from trusting humans.
• Annan dreamed that four colored halos and a black sphere advised him, then woke determined to overcome prejudice.
• Serana accompanied the Druids as they blessed the eastern Forest Mountains, while the Elf Druid defended their refusal to trust humans.
• The Druids found woodcutters near a wide swath of stumps on the western side of the mountains, and the bear Druid charged, sending them fleeing downhill.

Town Chief Dadd sent the Blackstone Knights' Order to drive eight Druids from the Forest Mountains after woodcutters encountered them. The Druids retreated into the Woodland after a fierce battle, and Commander Noal ordered the forest burned to force them out.

• Dadd learned that woodcutters had encountered Druids and summoned the Blackstone Knights' Order, rejecting his butler's suggestion to leave the matter to Free City.
• Commander Noal led nearly three hundred knights toward the Forest Mountains while Dadd mustered the town militia.
• Ogal argued with Serana over human wrongdoing, then ordered the Druids to drive the approaching humans away.
• The knights charged the Druids, whose magic and forest allies killed or wounded dozens of knights before their defensive line failed.
• The Druids retreated into the Woodland, leaving Bill behind, and the Knights' Order stopped at the forest's edge after losing fifteen dead and forty-three wounded.
• Noal ordered his troops to set the mountain ablaze and force the Druids out or burn them alive.

Ogal turned to vengeance as humans set fire to the forest, while Serana left to seek help in Free City. Annan mobilized the city to fight the blaze and met Serana in the mountains, where she saw the humans arriving to help.

• Humans trapped the Antler Druid and attacked the forest, and Serana restrained Ogal while the Druids tried to extinguish the spreading fire.
• Ogal used his Elf Blood and the Druids’ Nature Energy to grow Greenskin Orcs and Goblins, then sent them against the human soldiers.
• Serana questioned Ogal’s vengeance and left the Mountain Forest for Free City.
• House-Elves gathered at the City Lord’s Mansion to warn Annan that the forest was in danger, and Lilith confirmed that humans had set it ablaze.
• Annan ordered Free City’s mages and soldiers into the mountains to fight the fire, and a crowd of civilians joined them.
• Annan, Dade, and Irilanze flew toward the mountains on the White Dragon, where Annan met Serana and told her the humans had come to fight the fire.

Annan and the people of Free City helped the druids extinguish a forest fire, despite the druids' distrust of humans. After learning that two druids had been captured in Franco's Territory, Annan secured the gravely wounded Bear Druid's release and sent it to Free City for treatment.

• Annan organized Olmedo, the mages, and the residents of Free City to fight the fire while Irilanze, Serana, and Dade flew ahead on the white dragon.
• Annan and hundreds of mages used spells and portals to bring water down on the flames, while cavalry and townspeople helped contain the fire.
• Ogal aimed his bow at a human soldier, but the guard explained that Annan's people had not started the fire, and Ogal lowered his weapon.
• Serana told Annan that knights had captured two druids, so Annan crossed the burned woodland to Franco's Territory with Olmedo.
• Noal refused to release the druids without his lord's order, but he handed over the dying Bear Druid after Annan asked him to spare an innocent life.
• Annan stopped the Bear Druid's bleeding with a Magic Scroll and sent it through a Portal to Free City for treatment.

Annan learned how Franco’s Territory and the Druids became enemies, then helped the injured Druids and refused their offer of a blessing as repayment. After discovering that Ogal was becoming a Revenge Druid, Annan gave him a Firstlove Fruit and urged him to choose restoration over vengeance.

• Annan told the Druids that the antlered Druid had died, and Ogal awkwardly thanked him for saving them.
• After the Spring Operation ended, Annan learned that Franco’s Territory had abducted and exploited elves, prompting a Druid’s retaliatory attacks and the long conflict.
• Annan visited the Druids in the hospital, where doctors operated on the injured bear Druid.
• Ogal offered to bless Annan’s territory, but Annan said protecting the forest and its guests was his duty.
• During the blessing in the Wheat Field, Serana revealed that Ogal’s Oathbreaking Nature Spell was turning him into a Revenge Druid.
• Annan gave Ogal a Firstlove Fruit and challenged him to choose between restoring forests and pursuing vengeance.

Annan learned that the Otherworld Tree could be allowed to grow openly and arranged for Free City to make peace with Franco's Territory while exploring the possibility of using Greenskin Orcs. Serana revealed that their origins lay in the ancient Orc God of Nature, leaving Annan to consider the dangers of creating such beings.

• Annan decided not to hide the flourishing Otherworld Tree behind a Magic barrier, despite the risk of the Elves discovering it.
• Olmedo returned with Franco's decision to dismiss Noal and apologize, while Annan recognized that the losses had deepened hatred between Franco's Territory and the Druids.
• Annan asked Ogal about summoning Greenskin Orcs and learned from Serana that they were living beings with little capacity for reason.
• Serana explained that Greenskin Orcs and the Druids' forbidden Divine Arts came from the First Generation God of Nature, an Orc in the Primordial Pantheon.

Annan sent Druids to bless Gem Bay’s farmland, expecting the harvest to increase two- to threefold, while he considered how to plant the Origin Fruit Trees outside the Elven Royal Court. After learning there were too few Seeds, he asked Ogal to create more Greenskins for study.

• Ingrid’s Druids began blessing Hunter and Jack’s fields, promising double yields in exchange for a doubled autumn harvest quota.
• Annan learned that an official ship from Paem Kingdom was headed through Obiris Strait to Free City, though it would take at least ten days to arrive.
• Annan asked the Druids to bless the Ancient Oak and the Firstlove Fruit Tree, but they said there were not enough Origin Fruit Seeds.
• Annan asked Ogal whether the Seeds from the ten Origin Fruits he had eaten might be in his waste, and Ogal said they were not.
• Annan asked Ogal to create more Greenskins for them to study.

The Druids finished blessing Free City's wheat field and the burned forest, then departed as Annan tried to persuade them to stay. Annan also learned that Mr. Swaro planned to seek the Legendary Path, but he ultimately chose to remain in Free City and continue teaching.

• The Druids restored vitality to the scorched forest, while Free City agreed to share the cost of a road linking it with Greenleaf Town.
• Annan accompanied Serana and the Druids to the port, invited them to return, and received a paw-print mark of friendship from the Bear Druid.
• After the merchant ship sailed, Dade told Annan that Mr. Swaro was leaving, so Annan rushed to the professor's office and asked him to stay.
• Mr. Swaro said he planned to seek the Legendary Path and asked about Alice, who would take over his teaching duties.
• Cathy delivered farewell letters from the children, and Mr. Swaro gave her homework to check before revealing that he would remain in Free City while pursuing his path.

Annan learned from Gale that the McKennan Ratfolk were preparing an autumn invasion and strengthened ties with the Stuen Ratfolk by asking her to recruit workers for a Tunnel project. He sent the intelligence to the Empire and the Dimon Kingdom, then met an envoy bearing gifts from the Third Prince of Wilhelm.

• Idelia and Annan discussed plans for Free City's new Upper and Lower Academies, with Mr. Swaro appointed dean of the Magic Academy.
• Annan asked Gale about the McKennan Clan, and Gale revealed that the Ratfolk planned to attack during the Autumn Harvest.
• Annan asked Gale to recommend Ratfolk workers for a Tunnel project, and she went to contact her clan elder.
• Annan sent the McKennan intelligence to the Empire and instructed a messenger to inform only Grand Marshal Garkin in the Dimon Kingdom.
• On May fifth, Annan met Executor Betura York at the Harbor, where York delivered the second and third gifts from Prince Waldo Hernand.

Annan received the Paem Kingdom’s gifts, including a Medium Arcane Power Core, and discussed Order with Betura York. Meanwhile, Gale sought Maria’s advice about bringing Ratfolk to Free City, and Maria urged her to recruit a hundred rather than ten.

• Betura York showed Annan the Third Prince’s gifts, including supplies and a Medium Arcane Power Core that could expand Free City.
• Annan arranged for the gifts to be unloaded, and the new Core spared the residents near the school from having to move.
• Betura York visited Annan that night and debated whether strict Order could prevent hardship and disorder.
• Annan challenged Betura York’s vision of Order, and Betura York said Annan shared something in common with the Third Prince.
• Gale asked Maria how many Ratfolk to bring to Free City, and Maria advised her to start with a hundred.

Annan strengthened Free City after the Duchy’s bandits were defeated, expanding the Otherworld Tree’s communication network and arranging paid security campaigns for neighboring powers. When a group of Ratfolk arrived outside the city, Annan welcomed the honored guests.

• Betura York apologized to Annan and said the Third Prince wanted to work with him to break the established order, but Annan refused while affirming their relationship would remain unchanged.
• Maria told Annan that Gale had asked how many Ratfolk she could bring, and they agreed to lure her into helping with the tunneling work.
• Gale returned toward the Holy Race with a Disciplinary Legion escort, while Eli found a solid stretch of rock suitable for the planned tunnel.
• Annan used the defeated bandits’ remains to feed the Otherworld Tree, distributed its leaves and Mountain Essence, and sent Francois to negotiate paid anti-bandit campaigns with nearby Lords.
• At the victory banquet, Black Widow reported that the Disciplinary Legion’s unusual tests had made people more alert to crime, and a Guard announced that Ratfolk had arrived outside the city.

Annan welcomed the Stuen Ratfolk Artisans to Free City and argued that they deserved a chance to prove themselves despite prejudice. The guests’ first morning ended in a mass arrest for raiding shops, and Annan stopped Gale from killing one of them so he could speak to the group.

• Annan brought Gale and the Stuen Ratfolk to a banquet at the Mansion, where the Artisans ate while the soldiers kept their distance.
• Annan asked Gale about the Ratfolk Elder’s plans, then discussed the Ratfolk’s strengths and flaws with Idelia after the guests returned to the Embassy.
• The next morning, the Ratfolk broke into a bakery and jewelry shop to eat and steal, and the Guards arrested all one hundred of them.
• Annan asked Gale to handle her guests, and Gale struck one Ratfolk with Green Lightning before Annan stopped her and requested a chance to speak.

Annan brought the Ratfolk Artisans to Free City's secret tunnel project after warning them to obey Free City Law, and their specialized tools made them far more efficient than human workers. He left them in Eli's care, while Eli assigned Little Smo to oversee them.

• Annan questioned the Ratfolk Artisan chief about the attack, then warned the Artisans that Free City Law would punish any repeat offenses.
• Annan took the Artisans to the Forest Mountains, explained the secret project, and promised them wages and twelve hours of rest each day.
• At the construction site, Annan was surprised to find Little Smo working with Eli and learned that Little Smo enjoyed tunnel work.
• The Ratfolk Artisans used pick-fitted gauntlets to excavate rock at remarkable speed, so Eli assigned them to dig while humans hauled rubble and reinforced the tunnel.
• Eli put Little Smo in charge of looking after the Ratfolk Artisans and told him to change into better clothes before approaching them.

Little Smo helped the Ratfolk Artisans learn to spend their wages and tried to build a friendship with their head artisan. Annan named the artisan Lucky Mouse and ordered Little Smo to enroll in the Military Academy once the New School was built.

• Little Smo watched the Ratfolk Artisans work tirelessly in the Tunnel and refused the food they had saved for him because he had not worked.
• After the Ratfolk received their wages, Little Smo took them into Free City, where he showed them how to buy food and trinkets.
• Little Smo asked the head Ratfolk Artisan about its name and family, then brought it to Camp and decided to ask Annan to name it.
• Luoxi dragged Little Smo to the City Lord's Mansion, where he asked Annan to name the artisan and help him become friends with the Ratfolk.
• Annan tasked Little Smo with helping the head artisan adjust to Free City and ordered him to enroll in the Military Academy.
• Annan named the head Ratfolk Artisan Lucky Mouse.

Annan weighed the Ratfolk Artisans’ usefulness against the risk of displacing Free City workers, while the Elven Celebration ended and the Skeleton King visited the Otherworld Tree. Little Smo took the Ratfolk Artisans to see a Magic Film, hoping the story would help them feel welcome in Free City.

• Olmedo reported that a hundred Ratfolk Artisans had nearly doubled the Tunnel’s excavation speed, but Annan decided to watch public opinion before recruiting more or replacing workers with Golems and Earth Elementals.
• The Elven Celebration ended with the Elven Royal Court and Paem Kingdom downplaying the attack, while Annan resented receiving no reward from the elves.
• The Skeleton King visited Annan, examined the Otherworld Tree, and agreed to check whether the Otherworld Merchant could still be summoned near Strange Tales City.
• Little Smo arranged an evening screening at the Grand Theater and paid for the Ratfolk Artisans’ tickets with his severance pay.
• Little Smo chose When Freedom Knocks, and the Ratfolk Artisans watched an Orc’s story of finding happiness in Free City after facing discrimination elsewhere.