Chapter Summaries

Xu Yi discovered that nobles across the Stantin Duchy were refusing to let the Xinfei Merchant Guild erect Mana Signal Towers, then learned their opposition came from the historic memory of mages using Magic Towers to control people. After Archmage Camilla urged him to act more assertively, Xu Yi resolved to change how he pursued his ideals.

• The Xinfei Merchant Guild received firm refusals from more than a dozen Stantin Duchy nobles who would not allow Mana Signal Towers on their lands.
• Xu Yi realized that the refusals, like Congress's rejection of his request for more private land, showed how little control he had over the duchy.
• Archmage Camilla explained that ancient mages had used Magic Towers to dominate people, leaving a lasting fear that made nobles wary of Mana Signal Towers.
• Xu Yi questioned whether he should force the nobles to cooperate, and Camilla argued that he needed to become more assertive to achieve his goals.
• Xu Yi accepted Camilla's advice, resolved to change his approach, and received Camilla's promise of support.

Newspapers across the region praised the Xinfei Merchant Guild and reported that it would publish technical knowledge about the magic industry. Count Marfa refused the guild’s request to build mana signal towers in his fief, and its withdrawal from their business partnerships left his factories and estate in crisis.

• Newspapers published favorable stories about the Xinfei Merchant Guild and detailed articles establishing a theoretical framework for the magic industry.
• The Xinfei Merchant Guild announced plans to publish the Xinfei Magic Industry Weekly and Fundamentals of Magic Industry Theory Monthly, which would share industry news and technical knowledge.
• Count Marfa remembered refusing the guild’s earlier proposal to build mana signal towers because he feared losing control of his fief.
• After Count Marfa refused the guild’s renewed request, the Xinfei Merchant Guild ended all cooperation with him three days later.
• Count Marfa’s factories stalled, workers rebelled, and his plantations and orchards shut down, costing him more than ten thousand gold coins in a week.
• Count Marfa realized he depended on the Xinfei Merchant Guild and had no way to resolve the crisis without asking it for help.

Xu Yi confronted Angklu over the chaos caused by the Xinfei Merchant Guild ending cooperation with thirteen lords who rejected Mana Signal Towers. After exposing Angklu’s secret efforts to unite the lords against the guild, Xu Yi left him to realize that the duchy’s fate was about to change.

• The Xinfei Merchant Guild ended cooperation with thirteen lords after they refused Mana Signal Towers, throwing their domains into chaos.
• Angklu accused Xu Yi of selfishly trying to control the Stantin Duchy, while Xu Yi argued the towers were not tools of mind control and accused Angklu of putting power before the people.
• Angklu defended his opposition as a desire to keep the duchy in the hands of its people and admitted regretting helping the guild establish itself there.
• Xu Yi gave Angklu a document detailing his secret contacts with the lords and efforts to unite them against the Xinfei Merchant Guild.
• Angklu realized the lords had informed on him because their cooperation with the guild brought them greater benefits, and he despaired over the duchy’s coming fate.

In June 3787, the Xinfei Merchant Guild backed a new Stantin Duchy Congress policy that abolished noble private fiefs, defeating the lords who resisted and securing compliance from the rest. The duchy entered July with its nobles stripped of fiefs, and several unusual guests arrived.

• After Angklu resigned, Congress appointed a little-known northern viscount as Conference Chair, and he immediately proposed abolishing private noble fiefs.
• Congress passed the abolition policy, and Xu Yi surrendered his fief before securing land-use rights for the Xinfei Merchant Guild's main base.
• Four counts, seven viscounts, and dozens of barons rejected Congress's authority and declared they would govern independently.
• Congress declared the dissenting lords guilty of treason and invited the Xinfei Merchant Guild Guard Corps to carry out a punitive campaign.
• The Guard Corps defeated the rebellious lords in a week, and Congress reclaimed their fiefs as other nobles surrendered theirs in exchange for leases or small private plots.
• By June's end, Congress had reclaimed every noble fief, and several unusual guests quietly arrived in the duchy.

Marquis Southgate traveled with Princess Caroline to the Stantin Duchy to learn about the Xinfei Merchant Guild and its magic machinery. As they neared the guild’s main base, he asked Caroline to tell him more about Xu Yi before they met him.

• Marquis Southgate and Princess Caroline rode with their party toward the Xinfei Merchant Guild’s main base, admiring the Stantin Duchy’s unfamiliar sights.
• Caroline explained how Xu Yi and the guild had transformed the Stantin Duchy, while Southgate recalled the public water system, roads, and machinery that impressed him during the journey.
• Southgate asked Caroline whether she could help him spend time speaking with Xu Yi, and she said Xu Yi would be eager to talk once he learned Southgate’s identity.
• Caroline described her feelings for Xu Yi and told Southgate about his relationships and marriage to an elven woman.
• Southgate asked Caroline to describe Xu Yi’s personality, and she began by calling him an idealistic man despite his claims to be a typical businessman.

Princess Caroline and Marquis Southgate’s convoy was stopped because Seymour had caused a traffic accident and fled the scene. The officers contacted Xu Yi to decide how to handle the case, leaving the convoy waiting and the Xinfei Merchant Guild’s chance to impress Marquis Southgate at risk.

• Two Stantin Duchy public security officers stopped Seymour and accused him of causing a bus to overturn, injuring passengers, then fleeing the accident scene.
• Marquis Southgate apologized and offered compensation, but the officers explained that the losses exceeded five hundred gold coins and that regulations required them to question Seymour.
• Princess Caroline offered a one-thousand-gold-coin banknote and identified herself, but the officers still refused to let the group leave before consulting Xu Yi.
• Marquis Southgate agreed to wait, while Princess Caroline worried that Xu Yi’s handling of the incident could affect the guild’s prospects in the Malo Empire.

Xu Yi refused Princess Caroline and Marquis Southgate’s requests to spare Seymour from the consequences of breaking the rules, insisting that he cooperate with an investigation. Marquis Southgate threatened to withdraw from meeting with Xu Yi, but Xu Yi remained firm.

• A security officer brought Princess Caroline a Magic Communication Box, and Xu Yi spoke to her from more than seventy kilometers away.
• Princess Caroline urged Xu Yi to make an exception after learning that Marquis Southgate and Seymour were important guests from the Malo Empire.
• Xu Yi spoke with Marquis Southgate, who praised the Magic Communication Box and asked to meet Xu Yi face-to-face.
• Marquis Southgate used the prospect of a meeting to pressure Xu Yi into sparing Seymour, but Xu Yi said the rules applied to everyone.
• Marquis Southgate warned that he would intervene if Xu Yi pursued the matter, and Xu Yi insisted that Seymour cooperate with the investigation.

Marquis Dayolen Southgate continued his visit to Xu Yi despite their failed negotiation, leaving Seymour to cooperate with the investigation. At Xu Yi’s manor, Southgate and Xu Yi quickly began discussing public transit like old friends, while Princess Caroline noticed Stille’s pregnancy.

• Princess Caroline saw that Xu Yi had ended the call, but Marquis Southgate still planned to meet him.
• Southgate ordered Seymour to cooperate fully with the public security officers and left with Caroline for Xu Yi’s manor.
• Xu Yi greeted Caroline, who embraced and kissed him, before she introduced him to Marquis Dayolen Southgate.
• Xu Yi told Southgate that Seymour had admitted wrongdoing, compensated the injured passengers, and would be detained for no more than seven days.
• Xu Yi and Southgate discussed the costs and requirements for establishing an urban public transit system, while Caroline interrupted to invite them inside for lunch.
• Caroline saw Stille’s rounded belly as she welcomed the guests and sighed faintly.

Marquis Southgate stayed in the Stantin Duchy to explore the Xinfei Merchant Guild’s technology, while Princess Caroline balanced her interest in him with her efforts to secure opportunities for the Drake Duchy. Xu Yi revealed that Southgate planned to buy agricultural and infrastructure equipment, then offered Caroline a new joint project in magic machine tools.

• Marquis Southgate extended his visit for more than half a month, prompting Princess Caroline to remain in the Stantin Duchy despite her responsibilities back home.
• Stille told Princess Caroline that she still loved Xu Yi and supported his other relationships because she trusted that he put her first.
• Xu Yi explained that Marquis Southgate was aboard the Paladin, sailing toward Black Rice Port to inspect the port and experience a cargo mana-powered ship.
• Xu Yi said Southgate planned to buy farmland magic machinery and fertilizer, then invest in roads, water supply, public transit, and passenger magic locomotives in his fief.
• Princess Caroline learned that Southgate was not yet interested in household magic machinery, but Xu Yi offered the Drake Duchy a new joint project involving magic machine tools.

Xu Yi and Russell signed an agreement for the Candel Empire’s navy to buy three Guard Frigates and grant the Xinfei Merchant Guild access to ports and southern island resources. As Russell prepared to leave, Marquis Southgate arrived at Xinfei Port, and he and Russell stopped smiling when they saw each other.

• Russell told Xu Yi that the Candel Empire’s navy had approved their cooperation proposal and agreed to purchase three Guard Frigates.
• Xu Yi and Russell signed an agreement providing 1.5 million gold coins, joint mineral development, offshore bases, and access to civilian and naval ports.
• Russell left a naval observer to monitor construction, toured the shipyard, and discussed exploring the Endless Sea with Xu Yi.
• Russell and Xu Yi watched the Transport Fleet approach Xinfei Port, where the Paladin docked with Marquis Southgate aboard.
• Marquis Southgate stepped ashore, saw Russell beside Xu Yi, and lost his smile as Russell’s expression also turned serious.

Xu Yi witnessed Russell and Marquis Southgate’s bitter rivalry, then saw the Marquis leave for the Malo Empire to prepare cooperation proposals for the Xinfei Merchant Guild. Back at the Magic Research Institute, Xu Yi checked on Teresa and received Avita’s opening draft for an earlier assignment.

• Russell and Marquis Southgate exchanged insults over their military history and questioned each other’s presence at the Xinfei Merchant Guild.
• Russell left after Marquis Southgate mocked the Candel Empire Navy’s limited budget for buying Guard Frigates.
• Marquis Southgate told Xu Yi he would return to the Malo Empire with plans for cooperation and departed with Seymour and his subordinates.
• Xu Yi returned to the Magic Research Institute, where Teresa hurried away after running into him outside Avita’s laboratory.
• Avita said she had followed Xu Yi’s instructions while answering Teresa’s questions about Magic Cannon array parameters, then handed him the opening of her assignment.

Xu Yi reviewed Avita’s introductory book on magical machinery and assigned her a prominent role as its expert author. He also explained why the Xinfei Merchant Guild planned to build a farmland machinery factory in the Drake Duchy, while Princess Caroline continued to cling to him and provoke Stille.

• Xu Yi praised Avita’s detailed account of magic array theory and said he planned to publish and promote the book publicly.
• Xu Yi insisted that Avita be presented as its expert author because she was the director, and Avita agreed to follow his arrangements.
• Avita asked what Xu Yi intended to do about Teresa, but Xu Yi looked outside the laboratory and remained silent.
• Princess Caroline stayed close to Xu Yi after learning of his plans to cooperate with the Drake Duchy on magic machine tools.
• Xu Yi explained that a farmland machinery factory in the Drake Duchy would serve markets in the Sark Kingdom, the Falk Kingdom, and potentially the Malo Empire.
• Princess Caroline deliberately clung to Xu Yi in front of Stille to provoke her, but Stille’s reaction disappointed her.

Count Rivell saw Bunta City's revenue growth slowing and looked to strengthen the city's magic industry by expanding its training academy. At a ceremony where Stille presented the Xinfei Merchant Guild's foundational magic machinery book, Xu Yi's absence left Rivell worried that Bunta City had lost importance to him.

• Count Rivell reviewed Bunta City's finances and realized its monthly revenue growth had been steadily declining.
• Count Rivell visited the expanding Bunta City Magic Industry Skills Training Academy, which now trained thousands of students in magic machinery.
• Stille attended the ceremony in Xu Yi's place and presented the academy with the Xinfei Merchant Guild's new book on basic magic machinery theory.
• Stille explained that Xu Yi had been called away to handle something personally, and Count Rivell worried that Xu Yi no longer considered Bunta City important.

Xu Yi confronted Sark Kingdom soldiers who blocked the Moon Shadow Tribe from taking possession of its agreed territory. After they rejected his final warning, he rose into the air, leaving the soldiers facing an unexpected threat.

• Philp told Xu Yi that Sark Kingdom soldiers had barred the Moon Shadow Tribe from entering its newly granted territory despite the signed agreement.
• Xu Yi approached the Sark Kingdom formation and announced that the soldiers had half a day to withdraw, warning that the Moon Shadow Tribe could take action.
• The Sark Kingdom officer refused to leave and threatened Xu Yi, who began a countdown while Filson prepared the Forest Guards for a possible fight.
• When the countdown ended, Xu Yi rose more than ten meters into the air, and a second sun seemed to appear above the soldiers.

After Xu Yi routed a Spirit Tortoise Legion detachment, Sark Kingdom’s Staff Headquarters recognized that his Great Mage power made him nearly impossible to assassinate and complicated its plans against the Xinfei Merchant Guild and Lampari Kingdom. Benjamin Dirk ordered efforts to obtain intelligence on the Guild’s military magic machinery and proposed stationing the Spirit Tortoise Legion in the southwest to guard against the elves.

• Sark Kingdom’s staff officers discussed Xu Yi’s defeat of the Spirit Tortoise Legion detachment and the difficulty of assassinating him now that he was a Great Mage.
• Benjamin Dirk rebuked a young officer who condemned the agreement transferring the disputed territory to the elves, insisting that soldiers had to obey the Kingdom Parliament’s decision.
• Benjamin Dirk told Aiwei Ruoang that the failed operation had been intended to draw out the Xinfei Merchant Guild Guard Corps and assess its military magic machinery.
• Benjamin Dirk ordered Yuri to intensify intelligence gathering and urged Aiwei Ruoang to accelerate the research into military magic machinery.
• Benjamin Dirk proposed stationing the entire Spirit Tortoise Legion in the southwest to guard against the elves.

Servini struggled to understand Xu Yi’s increasingly forceful actions, then learned that the Xinfei Merchant Guild planned to build farmland magic machinery factories in the Drake Duchy. The news shocked and angered her as she confronted the Lampari Kingdom’s slowing tax revenues and the guild’s decision to invest elsewhere.

• Servini reviewed reports about Xu Yi’s attack on the Sark Kingdom’s troops and wondered why he had abandoned his former cautious approach.
• Servini reflected on Xu Yi’s recent use of force in the Stantin Duchy and the Xinfei Merchant Guild’s hard-line enforcement of magic industry standards.
• Hairsty brought Servini’s baby to nurse, and Servini rebuked her for saying the child looked like Xu Yi.
• Count Sean Samo reported that Sewell City’s fiscal revenue growth had slowed, and Servini showed him documents indicating the problem was widespread.
• Count Sean Samo told Servini that the Xinfei Merchant Guild had secretly agreed to build two farmland magic machinery factories in the Drake Duchy, leaving her shocked and angry.

Xu Yi traveled to Anvilmar City after receiving a private letter from Queen Servini, realizing he had let their friendship grow distant. On the journey, Count Rivell wondered whether Xu Yi was the prince’s father and learned that the Xinfei Merchant Guild planned factories in the Drake Duchy as preparation for dealings with the Malo Empire.

• Xu Yi left two hundred Xinfei Merchant Guild guards with the Moon Shadow Tribe and instructed Philp to retreat if their position became untenable.
• Count Rivell met Xu Yi in Black Rice City with a letter from Queen Servini, and Xu Yi agreed to accompany him to Anvilmar City.
• Xu Yi reflected that he had reduced contact with Servini unnecessarily and resolved to maintain both their personal friendship and their working relationship.
• Xu Yi asked Count Rivell about the prince, prompting Rivell to suspect that Xu Yi might be the boy’s father and to wonder whether Servini truly loved him.
• Count Rivell asked about the Xinfei Merchant Guild’s planned factories in the Drake Duchy, and Xu Yi explained that they were preparations for dealings with the Malo Empire.
• Count Rivell realized the Xinfei Merchant Guild had likely established contact with the Malo Empire and anticipated that the connection could benefit the Lampari Kingdom.

Xu Yi arrived in Anvilmar City and met Count Samo, who urged him to renew his personal friendship with Servini. Servini emerged from a hidden room and asked him to build enough Mana Signal Towers for her to talk with him every day, even across the border in the Stantin Duchy.

• Count Rivell brought Xu Yi to Count Samo’s Outer Residence, where Count Samo welcomed him and invited him to stay.
• After dinner, Count Samo told Xu Yi that he had noticed Xu Yi deliberately reducing contact with Servini and that the queen seemed unhappy without their friendship.
• Xu Yi said he would set aside his other work and spend a few days reconnecting with Servini.
• Count Samo opened a concealed chamber in his study, and Servini stepped out to meet Xu Yi.
• Servini asked Xu Yi to have the Xinfei Merchant Guild install enough Mana Signal Towers for her to speak with him whenever she wanted.

The Xinfei Merchant Guild and the Lampari Kingdom announced projects to build a mana signal network, establish magic industry training academies, and expand roads with support from the Amli Merchant Guild. The plans advanced amid concerns over the signal towers and speculation that the kingdom might gain access to engineering magic machinery technology.

• The Xinfei Merchant Guild agreed to build more than a hundred mana signal towers in the Lampari Kingdom, while the Mages' Guild and Great Mages Parmes Allen and Eisenka defended the towers and the Kingdom Parliament began preparations for the communication line.
• The Xinfei Merchant Guild and the Lampari Kingdom planned seventeen magic industry skills training academies over three years, prompting more than thirty merchant guilds to offer students tuition and employment deals.
• The Lampari Kingdom announced a five-year road expansion and upgrade plan, including an eight-lane road between Bunta City and Anvilmar City, with the Amli Merchant Guild as its main partner.
• The Xinfei Merchant Guild agreed to supply construction materials and engineering magic machinery and to help build three cement factories and an engineering machinery plant, leading people to speculate that the kingdom might obtain advanced manufacturing technology.

Xu Yi reconsidered which merchant guilds should receive Xinfei Merchant Guild technology after Cruz argued that established guilds had greater resources than emerging ones. They then examined a continental road plan, where Cruz warned that the route through the Candel Empire faced serious obstacles.

• Xu Yi rejected letters from merchant guilds seeking Magic Machine Tool technology, saying they lacked the qualifications to use it.
• Cruz explained that even a wealthy guild would need years and millions of gold coins to master Magic Machinery technology, and that smaller guilds could not afford the investment.
• Cruz pointed out that Xu Yi had been overlooking established guilds, and Xu Yi accepted the criticism and reconsidered the letters.
• Xu Yi and Cruz turned to planning the roads that could bring the Amli Merchant Guild wealth and fame across the Sains Continent.
• Cruz traced the proposed routes on Xu Yi's map and warned that the road through the Candel Empire would be difficult, noting that a shorter road there had remained unfinished for over a year.