Chapter Summaries

Xu Yi accepted Count Longley's invitation to remain in Bateru City for another day after discussing the Xinfei Merchant Guild’s losses and planned investment in Sewell City. In Laimart City, Count Will blamed Count Michelle and possibly the prince for the convoy attack, then gave Lewan instructions that threatened a rupture with Dulakton City.

• Count Longley privately questioned Xu Yi about the convoy attack, and Xu Yi said the guild had lost three guards.
• Count Longley inferred that elite cavalry had ambushed the convoy and praised the Xinfei Merchant Guild Guards Corps.
• Xu Yi told Count Longley that the guild planned an initial investment of one million gold coins in Sewell City, with a total investment potentially reaching five million.
• Count Longley asked Xu Yi and his subordinates to stay in Bateru City another day, and Xu Yi agreed.
• Count Will smashed a jade vase and accused Count Michelle of arranging the attack, while Lewan suspected the prince might have ordered the Xinfei Merchant Guild’s elimination.
• Count Will gave Lewan secret instructions that could break relations between Laimart City and Dulakton City.

Xu Yi accompanied Count Longley to a village, where he saw the villagers’ warm relationship with the city lord and their harsh living conditions. At a natural hot spring, Count Longley finally raised the villagers’ poverty with Xu Yi, leaving him poised to hear the count’s real purpose.

• Count Longley showed Xu Yi the Banao River, which never froze in winter, and brought him to a village outside Bateru City.
• Villagers greeted Count Longley like an old friend, and he took Xu Yi to Old Hal’s home.
• Xu Yi shared a meal of venison and wine with Count Longley, Old Hal, his wife, and their children.
• Count Longley led Xu Yi to a natural hot spring on the mountainside, where they bathed and talked.
• Count Longley pointed out that Old Hal and the villagers lived beside a natural pleasure but struggled to get enough to eat, then asked Xu Yi what he thought.

As the Xinfei Merchant Guild convoy traveled toward Sewell City, Xu Yi weighed Count Longley's invitation to invest in impoverished Bateru City, knowing it could be seen as a political betrayal and provoke conflict between Prince Eric's and Princess Royal Servini's factions. He left the decision unresolved, planning to consult Princess Royal Servini, while wondering whether Lampari the Thirteenth had deliberately allowed the succession struggle to continue.

• Two days after leaving Bateru City, Xu Yi rode with Canby and the researchers toward Sewell City while brooding over Count Longley's proposal.
• Canby guessed that Count Longley had invited the Xinfei Merchant Guild to invest in Bateru City, and Xu Yi confirmed it.
• Xu Yi recalled Count Longley's resolve to improve his people's lives despite the risk that Prince Eric's faction would condemn him as a traitor.
• Xu Yi considered how the investment could help Bateru City's impoverished people but might provoke Prince Eric's faction and destroy the fragile political balance.
• Xu Yi decided he could not accept Count Longley's invitation without discussing it with Princess Royal Servini.
• Xu Yi wondered whether Lampari the Thirteenth had deliberately let the kingdom's factions struggle over the throne.

Lampari the Thirteenth issued three royal orders to strengthen the kingdom’s northern defenses, grant Eric, Servini, and Durant full crown-heir rights, and expand foreign trade. He left Derma questioning the risks while explaining that he meant to help Servini and the Xinfei Merchant Guild grow stronger.

• Lampari the Thirteenth asked Derma about Servini and said she needed time and protection to grow stronger, then took a red pill to suppress his illness.
• Lampari the Thirteenth ordered the Kingdom Garrison Corps Third Army to Sewell City, placing it under local authority and making the city pay for its equipment.
• Lampari the Thirteenth proposed formally granting Eric, Servini, and Durant crown-heir status, including the right to recruit private guards of up to five thousand.
• Derma realized the crown-heir order would most benefit Servini, but worried it would pit her against Eric; Lampari the Thirteenth offered no explanation.
• Lampari the Thirteenth ordered the Commerce Office to assess trade with neighboring countries and said he wanted to help Xu Yi and the Xinfei Merchant Guild expand abroad.

Xu Yi arrived in Sewell City and proposed using reinforced concrete to build cheaper, sturdier city walls. Princess Caroline and Count Samo became interested, and Xu Yi said the Xinfei Merchant Guild would build a cement factory and steelworks in the city.

• Xu Yi arrived in Sewell City, where Princess Caroline greeted him and Count Samo said they would discuss work the next day.
• As they entered the city, Xu Yi examined Sewell City's thick walls and discussed the city's defenses with Count Samo and Princess Caroline.
• Xu Yi proposed using reinforced concrete to construct city walls strong enough to withstand attacks short of an Archmage's intervention.
• Count Samo estimated that Sewell City's existing walls had cost about six million gold coins, and Xu Yi said reinforced concrete walls could cost under ten thousand gold coins per hundred meters.
• Princess Caroline asked whether the Drake Duchy would need to buy the materials from the Xinfei Merchant Guild, and Xu Yi said the guild would build a cement factory and steelworks in Sewell City.

At a reception welcoming the Xinfei Merchant Guild to Sewell City, Xu Yi discussed local production with Princess Caroline and agreed to let her observe the guild’s new production base. Count Samo then arranged City Guard cooperation in exchange for weapons and armor, before revealing plans for an arms factory that alarmed Xu Yi.

• Count Samo held a grand reception for the Xinfei Merchant Guild convoy, and Xu Yi spent the evening meeting Sewell City’s prominent residents.
• Princess Caroline flirted with Xu Yi, then asked about producing reinforcing steel and cement locally; he warned that the Drake Duchy lacked the technology to make safe reinforcing steel.
• Princess Caroline asked to observe the Xinfei Merchant Guild’s production base in Sewell City, and Xu Yi agreed as long as she stayed away from confidential matters.
• Princess Caroline kissed Xu Yi on the cheek before leaving, and Count Samo introduced him to City Guard commander Malal.
• Malal requested armor and weapons for the City Guard, and Xu Yi agreed to sell ten thousand sets at cost.
• Count Samo told Xu Yi he wanted to establish an arms factory in Sewell City, prompting Xu Yi to ask whether he was planning a rebellion.

Xu Yi arranged for the Xinfei Merchant Guild to supply magic machine tools for Count Samo’s planned arms factory in Sewell City, while worrying about the factory’s vulnerability near the Sark Kingdom. Back at his residence, Linda declared her desire for him, and Xu Yi finally gave in to her advances.

• Count Samo explained that Sewell City had royal approval to build an arms factory and ordered the Xinfei Merchant Guild’s magic machine tools for it.
• Xu Yi learned that the Kingdom Garrison Corps Third Army had been transferred to Sewell City and warned that the factory could attract the Sark Kingdom’s attention.
• Xu Yi reviewed plans for the guild’s cement factory and steelworks and considered how to protect production and confidential documents if Sewell City were attacked.
• Princess Caroline invited Xu Yi to visit her room, but he declined and returned to his quarters to plan the production base.
• Linda told Xu Yi she willingly wanted to give herself to him, and he carried her to the bed.

While Xu Yi was away, Stille reflected on her relationship with him and encouraged Liss to pursue his affection. In Xu Yi’s study, Stille discovered signs that someone had secretly entered it, leaving her wondering who had broken in.

• Stille and Liss discussed the baby, and Stille said she hoped to have a daughter despite tradition favoring sons as heirs.
• Liss admitted she envied Linda for staying with Xu Yi, and Stille promised to give Liss a chance to spend time alone with him when he returned.
• Stille entered Xu Yi’s study and noticed something unusual about the desk, then searched its surface, drawers, and the space beneath it.
• Stille tested a bookcase compartment’s magic array and watched its protective light flicker out.
• Stille realized someone had secretly entered the study and wondered who it could have been.

Xu Yi inspected the site Count Samo had reserved for the Xinfei Merchant Guild in Sewell City and discovered that its abundant soft clay magic crystals might have useful properties. The chapter left Xu Yi planning experiments while he considered the political risks of cooperating with Bateru City.

• Count Samo described the power of Archmages and Grand Archmages as he and Xu Yi examined the proposed factory site beside the frozen Sera River.
• Canby brought Xu Yi a warm, soft red crystal, and Count Samo identified it as a fire-type soft clay magic crystal.
• Xu Yi poured mana into the crystal, causing it to erupt in flames before it crumbled into powder, and he decided to collect different varieties for experiments.
• Count Samo hoped the crystals might become a source of income for Sewell City, and he and Xu Yi discussed Count Longley's efforts to develop Bateru City.
• Count Samo warned Xu Yi to discuss cooperation with Bateru City thoroughly with the Princess Royal because of the political risks involving Prince Eric.

Xu Yi met with Sewell City's merchant guild leaders, who asked to enter the magic machinery business, and offered them a list of household machinery technologies for transfer. In private, Radis Sampson proposed paying at least one million gold coins for Xinfei's steelmaking technology, leaving Xu Yi to consider the offer.

• Count Samo left Xu Yi to attend a banquet hosted by Sewell City's Commercial Association.
• Radis Sampson and other merchant guild representatives asked Xu Yi to help them enter the magic machinery industry.
• Xu Yi gave Sampson a booklet listing technologies Xinfei was willing to transfer, mostly related to household magic machinery.
• Sampson privately asked Xu Yi about other technologies, especially steelmaking.
• Sampson offered at least one million gold coins for the transfer of a steelmaking technology.

Xu Yi refused to transfer the Xinfei Merchant Guild’s steelmaking technology, explaining that steel was too important to the magic industry, but proposed that Count Samo invest in a new steelworks in Sewell City. After caring for Linda, Xu Yi encountered Princess Caroline, who came to speak with him about something important.

• Count Samo was shocked to learn how much profit the Xinfei Merchant Guild’s two steelworks could generate, and Xu Yi said he would not sell their steelmaking technology even for more money.
• Xu Yi told Count Samo that steelmaking was essential to the magic industry and proposed that he take a stake in a new steelworks in Sewell City.
• Xu Yi found Linda doing laundry despite her weakened condition, stopped her, and promised to arrange servants to help her rest.
• Princess Caroline teased Xu Yi about Linda and offered to lend him her maids, then sent them away and said she had come to discuss something important.

Xu Yi rebuffed Princess Caroline’s flirtation and turned their conversation toward business. The Drake Duchy had approved the Xinfei Merchant Guild’s investment proposal and wanted to acquire engineering magic machinery technology, leaving Xu Yi to consider Caroline’s determined request.

• Princess Caroline teased Xu Yi about spending the night with Linda and declared that she intended to win him over.
• Xu Yi told Princess Caroline to respect herself and keep personal matters from interfering with their business partnership.
• Princess Caroline said the Duchy Council had unanimously approved the Xinfei Merchant Guild’s investment proposal.
• Princess Caroline asked Xu Yi to transfer engineering magic machinery technology so the Drake Duchy could adapt it to its difficult terrain.
• Xu Yi questioned whether developing the technology independently would be economical and compared Princess Caroline’s resolve to Princess Royal Sewell’s.

Servini reviewed Bunta City's soaring tax revenue and costly reconstruction and welfare programs before taking a break to see the prosperous city for herself. Outside, she overheard residents discussing the newly launched medical security system and its enrollment deadline.

• Servini reviewed Bunta City's annual finances, noting that tax revenue could exceed six million gold coins while reconstruction and welfare spending would leave the city with little money.
• Servini changed into casual clothes and left the City Lord's Manor for a walk through Bunta City's crowded, prosperous streets.
• Servini observed the city's rising population, high incomes, and expanding luxury-goods trade as she walked to a bus stop.
• Shack told Ronnie that Bunta City residents could pay five gold coins a year for medical coverage that waived seventy percent of hospital fees.
• Ronnie considered whether to enroll in the medical security system after Shack reminded him that the application deadline was the end of the year.

Servini secretly rode a bus and listened as passengers discussed her policies, giving her a clearer sense of their support and criticism. Their praise strengthened her resolve to become Queen so she could help Xu Yi improve the kingdom, but a passenger suddenly insulted her.

• Servini listened as Shack persuaded Ronnie to consider enrolling his family in the medical security system, and the men boarded a subsidized bus to Falling Rain Valley.
• Passengers joined Shack and Ronnie in discussing the City Lord’s policies, praising Servini while also raising complaints about construction and her support for agriculture.
• Servini recalled that the Cantona Chamber of Commerce had paid 230,000 gold coins in taxes, largely because Green Source Juice had boosted fruit sales and farmers’ incomes.
• Servini considered Xu Yi’s trust in her to distribute limited fertilizer supplies and realized she needed to become Queen to give him greater support and transform the kingdom.
• A passenger suddenly condemned Princess Servini as the bus passengers praised her.

Servini investigated a protest against the Amli Merchant Guild and learned that villagers displaced by the Sanglang Canal Project had lost the jobs promised as compensation. She recognized the larger shortage of skilled workers and told President Cruz she intended to build a Vocational Skills Training School outside the city.

• A middle-aged man insulted Servini and Xu Yi on a bus, prompting passengers to defend them and praise Bunta City's development.
• Servini followed the man to the Dawn High-End Villa Residential Complex, where he displayed a banner accusing the Amli Merchant Guild and Servini of destroying homes and colluding with merchants.
• The man threatened to stab himself, and a group of villagers arriving by bus gathered around him and held knives to their own necks.
• Servini asked President Cruz why the villagers blamed the Amli Merchant Guild, and he explained that canal construction had taken their farmland and that they had lost the jobs arranged as compensation.
• President Cruz said the villagers had been unable to meet the skill requirements of their employers and had been fired.
• Servini discussed the shortage of qualified workers with President Cruz and announced plans for a Vocational Skills Training School outside the city.

Xu Yi discovered that the canal protest in Bunta City had been used to undermine Princess Servini’s reputation, though Count Samo explained that she had already turned the incident to her advantage. The chapter ended with Xu Yi finding Servini’s newspaper article on magic industry and human resources.

• Count Samo showed Xu Yi a Bunta Daily report announcing a Vocational Skills Training School to address the city’s workforce shortage.
• Xu Yi learned that a farmers’ protest over the Sanglang Canal had prompted Princess Servini to prioritize workforce training.
• Count Samo pointed out that the protest was unusually large and organized, and Xu Yi realized someone had likely backed the farmers to target Servini.
• Xu Yi read other newspapers that portrayed the farmers sympathetically and implied that the City Lord’s Manor and Servini were responsible for their plight.
• Count Samo said Servini had already handled the controversy and turned it into an opportunity to demonstrate her governance.
• Xu Yi found Servini’s article on magic industry, economic development, and improving the population’s competitiveness.

Lampari the Thirteenth read Servini’s report on Bunta City’s growth and reflected on the Xinfei Merchant Guild’s influence. Viscount Leslie then warned him that Prince Eric’s refusal to keep buying the guild’s military equipment could doom the Northern Garrison if it attacked the Sark Kingdom.

• Lampari the Thirteenth studied Servini’s thirty-seven-page report, which detailed Bunta City’s rising taxes, grain production, population, and trade.
• Lampari the Thirteenth considered the Xinfei Merchant Guild’s plans for a mana-powered ship and wondered whether Xu Yi had long intended to open maritime trade routes.
• Viscount Leslie arrived, and Lampari the Thirteenth welcomed him and asked what he had learned while serving in the Northern Garrison.
• Viscount Leslie credited the Northern Garrison’s victory over the Sark Kingdom and its control of the Murto Mountain Ranges to new weapons and equipment, much of it made by the Xinfei Merchant Guild.
• Viscount Leslie told Lampari the Thirteenth that Prince Eric had stopped further purchases of the equipment and asked whether the king intended to let the prince go to his death.

Viscount Leslie failed to persuade Lampari the Thirteenth to stop Prince Eric’s attack on the Sark Kingdom and left the palace troubled by the king’s willingness to accept losses. Seeking comfort in the Xinfei Merchant Guild, Leslie learned that Alex had left Anvilmar and asked the new supervisor, Fallein, about opening a magic machinery factory on his own behalf.

• Leslie asked Lampari the Thirteenth to stop Eric’s attack, but the king said he could not prevent the nobles supporting Eric from driving the Northern Garrison into war.
• Lampari the Thirteenth explained that he had sent Eric and the others out to test them, and that he would choose one of two grave losses; Leslie warned him that soldiers would die.
• After leaving the palace, Leslie reflected on the king’s cold resolve and his own family’s willingness to put its interests before him, then found comfort in the household magic machines that reminded him of Xu Yi.
• Leslie visited Count Samo’s Outer Residence looking for Alex, but Supervisor Lam told him that Alex had returned to Bunta City and might never come back to Anvilmar.
• Leslie met the Xinfei Merchant Guild’s new supervisor, Fallein, and asked whether he could arrange cooperation to open a magic machinery factory; Fallein asked whether Leslie represented himself or the Stark Family, and Leslie said he represented only himself.

Xu Yi agreed to partner with Princess Caroline on a magic machine tool factory in Sewell City, while keeping the guild’s research and design technology secret. He explained to Count Samo that giving the Drake Duchy limited benefits could draw it toward Lampari’s side, then met President Pombelli with a large shipment from Bunta City.

• Princess Caroline proposed establishing a magic machinery factory in the Drake Duchy, then agreed to build a joint factory with Xu Yi in Sewell City instead.
• Xu Yi refused to share research and design of magic machine tools but agreed to prioritize the Drake Duchy’s engineering machinery requirements.
• On the carriage ride out of Sewell City, Xu Yi told Count Samo that he hoped the factory’s benefits would draw the Drake Duchy closer to Lampari and force it to choose a side.
• Xu Yi said he would leave Sewell City for Bunta City in three days and asked Count Samo to oversee local affairs.
• Xu Yi and Count Samo met President Pombelli, whose Feilson Carriage Company had delivered more than fifty cargo magic locomotives’ worth of goods through the snow.
• President Pombelli asked whether Feilson could take over all of Sewell City’s transport business, prompting Xu Yi and Count Samo to laugh.

Xu Yi brought equipment to establish the Xinfei Merchant Guild’s production base in Sewell City and discussed future passenger Magic Locomotives and freight transport with Count Samo and President Pombelli. After learning that the Feilson Carriage Company wanted to open a local branch, Xu Yi warned that he would not let the attackers who had threatened the convoy get another chance.

• Xu Yi explained that the guild planned passenger Magic Locomotives ranging from one-person vehicles to large buses, but that a fast Fire-Powered model would take at least five years to develop.
• Xu Yi, Count Samo, and President Pombelli arrived at the guild’s production base, where Canby and the other dwarves had found that Sewell City’s cold reduced machinery power.
• Xu Yi and President Pombelli used Magic Air Conditioners to warm the workshop, and Xu Yi praised the Feilson Carriage Company for not using its customers’ goods.
• President Pombelli asked Count Samo to support a Feilson Carriage Company branch in Sewell City, while Count Samo reminded Xu Yi of the danger they had faced on the road.
• Xu Yi said he would not give the people responsible for the attack another chance.