Chapter Summaries

Xu Yi received Billier’s report on Mana Sedan races and a road project in the Candel Empire, then discussed the island settlements for former slaves with President Cruz. Xu Yi admitted that freeing the slaves partly eased his conscience, but kept the true reason for his opposition to slavery secret.

• Xu Yi authorized Billier to handle passenger and freight Magic Locomotive orders and promised support for formalizing the popular weekly Mana Sedan races in Wimbledon City.
• Ambassador Hakane secured permission to build a road across the Candel Empire’s Southwestern Province, with the Xinfei and Amli Merchant Guilds covering most of the cost.
• President Cruz complained about the obstruction and hidden expenses facing Amli’s road crews in the Candel Empire, and Xu Yi urged him to finish the province’s first road.
• Xu Yi asked President Cruz to send workers to build proper housing for the slaves settled on islands, and explained that he had already restored their commoner status.
• President Cruz called Xu Yi a hypocrite for wanting the former slaves’ obedience while rejecting slavery, and Xu Yi admitted he acted partly to ease his conscience without revealing his Earth origins.

Xu Yi urged merchant guild presidents to invest in the distant Nozdormu Commercial United Kingdom, but they hesitated because of the risks. As the Xinfei Merchant Guild's Transport Fleet arrived late, Xu Yi sent a mana airship to search and learned that the fleet was under attack.

• Xu Yi gathered allied merchant guild presidents and argued that investing in Nozdormu offered major opportunities despite the distance.
• The presidents remained hesitant, and Xu Yi decided to wait for representatives from Nozdormu before pressing them further.
• When the Transport Fleet failed to arrive as expected, Xu Yi contacted Avita and ordered her to send a mana airship south to search.
• Avita reported that the mana airship had found the Transport Fleet under attack.

Xu Yi ordered the capture of attackers who had targeted the Xinfei Merchant Guild’s Transport Fleet, then learned they belonged to the Krusik pirate alliance and had acted on someone’s orders. He left the welcoming banquet to order stronger coastal defenses and an attack on the Krusik Kingdom.

• Xu Yi directed Avita to pursue the fleeing attackers and capture some ships and prisoners, while sending Akali’s Mana Airship to support the operation.
• Xu Yi introduced the Magic Communication Box to the gathered merchant guild presidents, then welcomed the Nozdormu Commercial United Kingdom delegation after the Transport Fleet returned safely.
• Hart reported that the captured attackers came from the Krusik Kingdom and had been specifically ordered to rob the Xinfei Merchant Guild’s fleet.
• Xu Yi ordered Hart to prepare a comprehensive coastal defense plan and mobilize the Guard Fleet’s Second Fleet and the Marine Corps to attack the Krusik Kingdom.

The Xinfei Merchant Guild arranged trade and factory investments with the Nozdormu Commercial United Kingdom, while Xu Yi struggled to expand because of a labor shortage. The Guild Guard Fleet swiftly conquered the Krusik Kingdom, whose captured king offered to surrender his people as Xu Yi’s slaves in exchange for their lives.

• The Nozdormu delegation secured investment interest from neighboring merchant guilds, and the Xinfei Merchant Guild agreed to build factories and help develop infrastructure in Nozdormu.
• Xu Yi gave up direct control of the Nozdormu market because the Xinfei Merchant Guild lacked workers, and he opened free vocational colleges to train new recruits.
• After the Nozdormu delegation departed, Xu Yi ordered the Xinfei Merchant Guild Guard Corps to attack the Krusik Kingdom.
• Hart’s Second Fleet overwhelmed the Krusik pirates, landed on Krusik Island, captured the royal palace, and took the king alive.
• The captured king said escaped slaves had founded the Krusik Kingdom and offered to place its people under Xu Yi as slaves if he spared their lives.

Aiwei Ruoang and the Sark Kingdom’s General Staff confronted the Xinfei Merchant Guild Guard Fleet’s overwhelming victory over the Krusik Kingdom and recognized the danger its military magic machinery posed. The First Staff Office agreed to prioritize intelligence gathering and revealed that measures based on Ruoang’s earlier suggestions were already beginning to work.

• Aiwei Ruoang reviewed a sparse battle report confirming that the Xinfei Merchant Guild Guard Corps had captured Krusik Island using Magic Repeating Crossbows and Magic Rockets.
• Aiwei Ruoang asked his office to assess the Guard Fleet’s strength, but his subordinates could offer little information about how it fought.
• Aiwei Ruoang urged the First Staff Office to make the Xinfei Merchant Guild a top intelligence priority, warning that the Sark Kingdom could suffer the Krusik Kingdom’s fate.
• Remington and other staff officers cited the vast disparity in forces and losses, noting that the Xinfei Merchant Guild had crushed the Krusik Kingdom with almost no casualties.
• The director of the First Staff Office agreed to raise the matter with the Chief of Staff and revealed that earlier measures suggested by Aiwei Ruoang had begun to bear fruit.

Aiwei Ruoang rode with Shalong Li Nuer to the Military Ordnance Research Institute and reflected on how the Xinfei Merchant Guild’s magic machinery had spread throughout the Sark Kingdom. The chapter left Aiwei facing the kingdom’s dilemma: importing the machinery helped its people and economy but strengthened a potential military rival.

• Shalong Li Nuer picked up Aiwei Ruoang outside the General Staff Headquarters, and Aiwei learned that Shalong had been stripped of his command and was serving as a part-time consultant.
• Aiwei and Shalong headed to the Military Ordnance Research Institute and discussed how the Xinfei Merchant Guild’s destruction of the Krusik Kingdom had forced Sark’s leaders to acknowledge its military machinery.
• Shalong pointed out that Xinfei products were already widespread in Nodunlun City, from Mana Sedans and magic locomotives to household machines.
• Aiwei considered how imported agricultural machinery had increased Sark’s grain output by forty percent, while the Ministry of Agriculture prepared to accept Xinfei’s harsh fertilizer-sale conditions.
• Aiwei recognized that buying Xinfei machinery would strengthen a rival, while refusing it would leave Sark further behind the Lampari Kingdom, and he was relieved he did not have to make the decision as king.

Crabby Morey negotiated with Shandy for the Sark Kingdom to buy fertilizer from the Xinfei Merchant Guild, but the Moon Shadow Tribe required territory in exchange. Morey left the decision to the king, while Shandy warned that delay could make the kingdom miss the spring plowing season.

• The Sark Kingdom increased its grain harvest by adopting Xinfei farmland machinery and Bunta City's farming methods, while imports helped secure enough food for the year.
• Morey sought a large fertilizer purchase from the Xinfei Merchant Guild, which directed him to negotiate with the elves who controlled the fertilizer factory.
• Shandy told Morey that the Moon Shadow Tribe would sell fertilizer only if the Sark Kingdom granted it territory.
• Morey examined the elves' proposal for a remote tract of land adjoining the Black Rice Wasteland and said he needed time to consider it.
• Shandy warned that fertilizer had a limited shelf life and that delay could cost the Sark Kingdom the spring plowing season.

Shandy negotiated with Morey for the Moon Shadow Tribe to receive its own territory in exchange for fertilizer, while Xu Yi discussed the tribe’s production needs and reluctance to hire human workers with Shandy and Elder Lysania. At the Mana Sedan Race, Count Rivell privately confronted Xu Yi and demanded an explanation after showing him a document.

• Morey left the negotiations after Shandy stated the Moon Shadow Tribe’s conditions, then sent the terms to the Sark Kingdom for consideration.
• Xu Yi praised Shandy’s negotiating performance and learned that Elder Lysania wanted territory belonging entirely to the tribe.
• Shandy asked Xu Yi to tell Elder Lysania about the negotiations, and he revealed that new fertilizer-processing equipment was already on its way.
• Xu Yi asked Shandy and Elder Lysania about hiring workers from other races, but both said the Moon Shadow Tribe was not ready to do so.
• At the Mana Sedan Race, Count Rivell took Xu Yi into a private room, showed him a document, and demanded an explanation.

Xu Yi confronted Count Rivell after the count accused the Xinfei Merchant Guild of helping the Sark Kingdom develop military magic machinery. Count Rivell apologized and reassured Xu Yi that the queen had not sent him, while Xu Yi discussed the report and proposed a new factory investment in Bunta City.

• Xu Yi read an intelligence report claiming the Sark Kingdom had Magic Repeating Crossbows and was researching other Military Magic Machinery, and Count Rivell demanded an explanation.
• Xu Yi challenged Count Rivell's authority to question him and said the Xinfei Merchant Guild was not bound to follow the Lampari Kingdom's wishes.
• Count Rivell followed Xu Yi to the spectator seats, apologized, and clarified that his accusations had been his own decision, not the queen's.
• Xu Yi said the Sark Kingdom and other nations were likely researching military magic machinery, but their research did not necessarily mean they had made significant progress.
• Xu Yi assured Count Rivell that the Xinfei Merchant Guild would not provide military magic machinery technology to other nations and proposed a Machine Tool parts factory in Bunta City.
• Count Rivell welcomed the investment, hoping it would lead to a Magic Machine Tool factory and technology transfer, and apologized again.

After the Mana Sedan Race drew attention to its drivers rather than the vehicles, Xu Yi promoted magic locomotives through a new weekly and discussed the risks of revealing technical information. Elder Lysania proposed filming herself in the guild’s new sedan tests to encourage humans and elves to accept living together, and Xu Yi saw a chance to turn the footage into an advertisement.

• The Bunta Daily launched Magic Locomotive Weekly, which explained magic locomotives and reported that the Xinfei Merchant Guild was developing comfortable civilian sedans and faster racing models.
• Magic Locomotive Weekly became a bestseller after reporting that a new mana sedan might reach 150 kilometers per hour.
• Elder Lysania and Archmage Camilla warned Xu Yi that publishing information about magic locomotives and military magic machinery could expose valuable technology, but Xu Yi assured them he was managing the risks.
• Elder Lysania told Xu Yi she wanted to record herself participating in the new-model magic locomotive tests and use the footage to encourage humans and elves to accept living together.
• Xu Yi approved of the publicity idea and imagined using footage of Elder Lysania driving the new Xinfei Mana Sedan as an advertisement.

Russell traveled to the Xinfei Merchant Guild and saw its promotional illusion and the rapidly modernizing city it had built. As he prepared to negotiate on behalf of the Candel Empire, he experienced the guild’s Automatic Mana Elevator for the first time.

• Russell saw a giant Mana Illusion Projector advertisement showcasing Xinfei household magic machinery and asked Ambassador Hakane how it worked.
• Ambassador Hakane explained that the Xinfei Merchant Guild sold Mana Illusion Projectors, though their high price and limited films had kept sales low.
• Russell entered the Xinfei Merchant Guild’s city and marveled at its broad roads, clean streets, busy traffic, and modern buildings.
• Russell reflected that the Candel Empire needed to face reality and change after seeing how far the city surpassed Wimbledon City.
• A receptionist led Russell and Ambassador Hakane into an Automatic Mana Elevator to take them upstairs for Russell’s meeting with Xu Yi.

Xu Yi negotiated with Russell, who represented the Candel Empire’s navy, over a purchase of Xinfei Guard Frigates, but the two clashed over the ships’ price. After seven days of talks, Russell left with a cooperation proposal that could help Xinfei enter the empire while benefiting the navy.

• Xu Yi welcomed Russell and Ambassador Hakane, then discussed business with Russell after Hakane left to order more Household Magic Machinery.
• Russell admitted he had come on behalf of the Candel Empire’s navy to buy Guard Frigates, while Xu Yi noted that the Malo Empire’s navy was another potential customer.
• Russell offered five hundred thousand gold coins per Guard Frigate, and Xu Yi rejected the price, offering only a reduction to one million nine hundred thousand.
• Russell proposed helping Xinfei enter the Candel Empire as an additional concession, and Xu Yi asked him to explain.
• After seven days in the Stantin Duchy, Russell departed with Ambassador Hakane and accepted Xu Yi’s gift of sturdy ship models, convinced the navy would need to cooperate with Xinfei.

Xu Yi explained why the Xinfei Merchant Guild’s new, more energy-efficient Magic Fans and Magic Air Conditioners mattered to households, then revealed that energy conservation was part of his plan to address limited high-concentration magic crystal supplies. He left Stille understanding that the guild needed both greater production and lower consumption to preserve energy standards and keep the market supplied.

• The Xinfei Merchant Guild launched new Magic Fans and Magic Air Conditioners that used less high-concentration magic crystal, and Stille questioned whether the savings mattered to buyers.
• Xu Yi argued that savings across all Household Magic Machinery could substantially reduce ordinary families’ monthly expenses, and Stille recognized his point.
• Stille asked why Xu Yi would promote energy conservation after working to standardize high-concentration magic crystals, which supported the guild’s crystal sales.
• Xu Yi explained that the continent’s magic crystals were finite and that the Xinfei Merchant Guild’s production might fail to meet demand within three years.
• Xu Yi planned to expand crystal research and production while teaching consumers to conserve energy through more efficient Magic Fans and Magic Air Conditioners.

As Stille and Xu Yi watched Elder Lysania and Anise film a Mana Sedan advertisement, they discussed Anise’s lack of a child and Xu Yi’s relationships with Betty and Caro. Stille revealed she was three months pregnant with their second child, and Xu Yi’s joyful laughter drew everyone’s attention.

• Stille watched Elder Lysania drive a new Xinfei Mana Sedan for an advertisement and asked Xu Yi why Anise was included; Xu Yi explained that Elder Lysania wanted to present Anise as an example of elves and humans joining together.
• Stille and Xu Yi discussed Anise’s inability to conceive a child with him despite their efforts and the advice from Elder Elusia and Elder Lysania.
• Stille urged Xu Yi to stop keeping Betty and Caro at a distance, saying his reluctance was causing them pain.
• Xu Yi questioned Stille’s sudden insistence, and Stille admitted that she was pregnant and in her third month.
• Xu Yi realized they would likely have their second child by the end of the year or the beginning of the next, then laughed with joy as the people on the set looked over.

Old John explained Xinfei Household Magic Machinery to visitors from the Falk Kingdom, who were astonished by the guild’s influence. After learning that Loki’s factory job had transformed his family’s finances, the middle-aged visitor approached him to talk.

• Old John’s regulars urged him to replace his old Magic Fans with a Xinfei Magic Air Conditioner, and he considered trading in the fans for a discount.
• A group of well-dressed visitors entered Old John’s tavern, where Loki mocked them for not knowing about Magic Iceboxes and other Household Magic Machinery.
• After the middle-aged visitor tipped him two gold coins, Old John explained the machines and how the Xinfei Merchant Guild had developed them.
• Loki and his fellow workers toasted the Xinfei Merchant Guild, and Old John explained that Loki and his wife now earned good wages at a nearby joint-venture factory.
• The middle-aged visitor filled Loki’s glass and asked if he could speak with him.

Marquis Dayolen Southgate and Seymour discussed the Xinfei Merchant Guild’s magic machinery after visiting a tavern, where Southgate was impressed by its everyday devices. After a mana sedan raced past, Seymour became fascinated and demanded one, so Southgate agreed to take him to buy it.

• Marquis Dayolen Southgate reprimanded Seymour for insulting the tavern’s commoners and praised the Xinfei Merchant Guild’s magic machinery.
• Southgate decided to visit the Xinfei Merchant Guild’s joint venture factory outside town.
• A mana sedan raced past the group, stirring complaints from nearby tavern guests.
• Seymour watched the sedan in amazement and insisted that he had to get one.
• Southgate agreed to take Seymour to buy a mana sedan.

Marquis Sosgate and Seymour arrived in Felois City and discovered its vast New District, whose modern roads, streetlamps, and towering buildings reflected the Xinfei Merchant Guild’s influence. They reached the guild’s product service center to buy a Mana Sedan and were greeted by an Orc Tribe receptionist.

• Seymour and Marquis Sosgate rode around Felois City’s Old City in a comfortable Mana Sedan and learned that its sales outlet was in the New District.
• They marveled at the New District’s broad, level roads, streetlamps, and tall buildings, and the driver explained the Xinfei Merchant Guild’s role in their development.
• The driver brought Marquis Sosgate, Seymour, and their attendants to the Xinfei Product Service Center, where they intended to buy a Mana Sedan.
• Seymour reached toward the receptionist’s rabbit ears, but Marquis Sosgate stopped him and apologized to the Orc Tribe woman.

Marquis Southgate learned about the Xinfei Merchant Guild’s agricultural and engineering machinery while Seymour tried to buy Mana Sedans and threatened Lina over the guild’s safety rules. Princess Caroline intervened, and Seymour stormed out rather than apologize to Lina, leaving Marquis Southgate to identify the princess.

• Marquis Southgate asked Lina about the guild’s products and focused on its Farmland Magic Machinery after learning he could buy examples to take home.
• Lina explained how the guild’s farm machines could increase crop yields and gave Marquis Southgate a general introduction to its Engineering Magic Machinery.
• Seymour announced he wanted to buy two Mana Sedans, then threatened to smash the store when Lina said the guild would not sell to someone who planned to drive without a license.
• Princess Caroline confronted Seymour and demanded an apology to Lina, while Marquis Southgate apologized for Seymour’s conduct and insisted Seymour comply.
• Seymour refused to apologize to Lina and left the store, and Marquis Southgate recognized the young woman as Princess Caroline.

Xu Yi learned that Princess Caroline planned to visit with two special guests, then checked on the new signal towers and Freya. While flying over the Xinfei Merchant Guild’s rapidly expanding base, he reflected on the Congress’s rejection of his request to expand his fief and wondered why Stantin’s nobles dared oppose him.

• Xu Yi told Stille that Princess Caroline was coming on business and would bring two special guests, while Stille insisted on continuing to direct the Illusion Films project despite her pregnancy.
• Xu Yi contacted Akali through a Magic Communication Box and learned that Freya was with her at signal tower number four.
• Xu Yi flew to inspect the signal towers and surveyed the crowded Xinfei Merchant Guild base, realizing its current land could no longer meet its expansion needs.
• Xu Yi recalled that Congress had rejected his proposal to expand his fief, citing tradition and the lack of formal recognition for noble territories.
• Xu Yi considered the guild’s enormous contributions to Stantin’s revenue, employment, and infrastructure, and questioned why the duchy’s noble lords opposed him.

Xu Yi reunited with Freya at the Mana Signal Tower, then listened as Akali reported on its inspection. The inspection revealed minor terrain-related problems, while new Magic Communication Box research brought Xu Yi closer to his goal of a continent-wide magic network.

• Xu Yi arrived and played with Freya while Linda explained that Stille was busy and the two boys were asleep.
• Freya complained that Stille rarely had time for her, and Xu Yi reassured her by explaining how capable people helped him with his work.
• Freya confirmed that Xu Yi always agreed with Stille at home, making Akali and the others laugh at the President being henpecked.
• Akali reported that the Signal Tower inspection had found minor problems, including Tower Three's location above Magic Crystal deposits affecting mana fluctuations.
• Xu Yi discussed the inspection and reflected that the growing expertise of the guild's researchers was necessary for the magic industry's development.
• Xu Yi considered how improved Magic Communication Boxes and Mana Signal Towers could eventually enable long-distance communication and remote control of magic machinery.