Recaps

Louis consolidated Red Tide’s territories, strengthened its government and economy, and took control of the Northern Frontier after Duke Edmund’s death. The arc ended with Louis’s newborn son celebrated in Red Tide while Duke Calvin maneuvered to uncover disloyalty within his family council.

• Mary arrived in Red Tide City, saw its welcoming treatment of refugees, and settled into a warm, furnished home with Innie.
• Louis reorganized Red Tide’s government, pursued the annexation of nearby lands, and secured most of the targeted territories through exchanges and joint development.
• Reggie led the Broken Blade Knights against Viscount Zachariah, defeated his forces, and exposed his worship of an Evil God and human sacrifices.
• Louis oversaw Red Tide’s consolidation, educational and industrial plans, and the Northern Frontier after Edmund’s death, while Asta was appointed Reconstruction Envoy.
• Ferran toured Wheatwave Fief, witnessed its harvest and farming methods, and came to trust Louis’s plans to transform the Northern Frontier.
• Louis captured Silver Plate Guild operative Anthony, used evidence to pressure Camille, and was invested as Earl of the Ironblood Empire.
• Red Tide prepared winter supplies for residents, and Emily gave birth to Louis’s son, Althurs Calvin, whose arrival the city celebrated.
• Duke Calvin burned Louis’s request for New Port support, then used apparent support for the Second Imperial Prince as bait to expose a disloyal member of the family council.

Louis strengthened Red Tide City, expanded Dawnlight Harbor, and brought Barbarian youths into Red Tide’s schools and military. After defeating pirates targeting the harbor and meeting alchemist Merian Schmidt, Louis prepared to return to the city, while the Steel-Toothed Mad King’s forces remained a threat.

• Bradley managed Red Tide City while Louis prepared to leave for Dawnlight Harbor, and Louis investigated the Brood Hive remnant beneath Snowfield Altar, where a purple wisp entered his consciousness before the Primordial Heart and Rageflower destroyed it.
• Louis oversaw Dawnlight Harbor’s construction, shipbuilding, and defenses, and Elliott’s knights destroyed the Fishmen lair without losses among their forces.
• Louis uncovered a plot by Cohen and Sarik to attack a Red Tide caravan, executed the conspirators, dissolved the Twelfth Border Guard Village, and introduced new rules and advancement opportunities for surrendered Barbarians.
• Kosa and other Barbarian youths traveled to Red Tide City, where they received housing, education, and military training, while Louis directed that advancement depend on ability rather than birth.
• Louis brought Vale to the Shadow Trial Ground, where Vale became a Transcendent Knight and awakened Absolute Defense, a protective field that could shield nearby allies.
• Louis and Elliott led Red Tide’s fleet against Bagg’s pirate force near Dawnlight Harbor, destroyed its ships, captured the flagship, and seized the pirates.
• Louis met Merian Schmidt, learned of his biotic alchemy research and work on restoring Fishmen’s reason, and offered him a laboratory and resources in Red Tide.
• Dawnlight Harbor’s officials reported that its port, fleet, defenses, housing, and winter supplies were ready or progressing as planned, and Louis decided to return to Red Tide City.

Louis expanded Red Tide’s influence across the Northern Frontier, crushed Asta’s conspiracy and Carville’s pirate fleet, and strengthened trade and military systems. The arc left him preparing Red Tide for independence from the Calvin Family and seeking new allies and trade routes.

• Louis ordered tiered grain prices and presented Bradley with plans for a Red Tide alliance built around shared food, trade, defense, education, and intelligence.
• Louis approved Merian’s recovery elixirs and carefully controlled interrogation agents, then ordered Frost Giant experiments and later founded a Beast Corps after Merian tamed a white bear.
• Louis toured the prosperous Silver Ridge Hill and impoverished towns beyond Red Tide’s core, deciding to extend the Red Tide system across the Northern Frontier.
• Asta and the Barbarians plotted to attack the Frost Dragon Fief conference, but Louis anticipated the assault, defeated the attackers, and exposed Asta’s conspiracy through confessions and evidence.
• Louis opened the Reconstruction Conference, where Joern and more than a dozen nobles signed Red Tide’s alliance covenant, while Raymont began plotting to contain Louis and continued cruel experiments in Greyrock.
• Louis oversaw Frost Glaive City’s reconstruction and the testing of Red Tide’s first steam vehicle, then lured Carville’s pirate fleet into a trap and captured Carville after destroying his ships.
• Louis’s fleet returned from its victory with the Mad King’s treasure and sailed for the Southeast Province, where Arwin delivered Northern Frontier goods and Duke Calvin reconsidered his trade terms with Red Tide.
• After learning that Sif was pregnant, Louis rejected the Calvin Family’s partnership system, prepared Red Tide for independence, pursued a trading alliance with the Harvey Family, and sent Layton From away with a letter for the Blue Tide Guild.

Louis built Red Tide into the Northern Frontier’s dominant power while the Empire’s factions maneuvered around the Regent King’s decline. At Frost Glaive City, Louis united the gathered nobles and crushed Ackerman Greer’s attack with Red Tide’s new war machines.

• Louis sent Federation operatives back with a trade proposal, and Count Harvey and Selna agreed to test cautious trade with Red Tide.
• Louis expanded Red Tide’s relief efforts, railways, administration, and trade while Pete witnessed how its services transformed life across the Northern Frontier.
• Lampard, Kalien, and Rhein maneuvered around the Regent King’s illness, but the Dragon Throne Conference ended without resolving who would wield imperial authority.
• Louis welcomed his daughter Aurelia, then approved new measures to integrate the Northern Frontier and strengthen its infrastructure and public services.
• Louis unveiled the Steam War Chariot and organized Red Tide’s forces for the Empire’s coming crisis, while Sorel arrived seeking an alliance and Louis offered medicine for Sorel’s daughter Ellie.
• Louis rejected Duke Calvin’s request to disrupt the northern army’s supplies and announced that he would unite the Northern Frontier’s forces at the Reconstruction Conference.
• Ackerman Greer seized Morcan’s caravan and turned Louis’s demand for its return into a pretext to attack Frost Glaive City, where the nobles accepted Louis’s unified command.
• Louis used explosives, Steam War Chariots, and Red Tide knights to break Ackerman’s advance and rout the 17th Legion.