Chapter Summaries

Norma and her friends joined the townspeople at Ymir Manor to watch Arthur Credos’s tea contest with two nobles. As the nobles arrived, one called for a halt before the contest began.

• Norma followed the crowd to Ymir Manor while her friends discussed Arthur’s influence and urged her to approach him.
• Chief Siblon and the town’s officers organized the residents in crate-built seating.
• Arthur sat with Pendragon and introduced Kuliqi, whose approach made Pendragon jealous.
• A sixty-two-strong cavalry procession arrived with the nobles Jimte and Carral at its head.
• Jimte and Carral faced Arthur, but one of the nobles suddenly called, “Wait!”

Arthur competed against Jimte in a tea-tasting contest after Carral arranged for Jimte to decide the outcome. Arthur revealed lion tea and captivated the crowd with an elaborate brewing performance, leaving the contest’s result to the tasting.

• Carral insisted that he would accept whatever result Jimte achieved, and Arthur agreed to compete against Jimte.
• Jimte presented tea from near Lion Peak, while Arthur’s porcelain tea set and box of tea stunned the crowd.
• Carral recognized Arthur’s tea as lion tea, prompting spectators to assume Arthur had secured victory.
• Jimte proceeded with his careful brewing, while Arthur performed a dazzling tea ceremony that enthralled the onlookers.
• Arthur poured tea into three cups and invited the others to taste it.

Arthur used a tea contest with Jimte and Carral to secure tax exemptions and make them a warning line for anyone targeting him before the South Los Swordsmanship Tournament. After thanking the townspeople and watching their carefree afternoon, he received a puzzling note from Malinda.

• Arthur served Jimte honey-infused tea, and Jimte conceded, granting Arthur tax exemptions at West Berlin's coastal ports and inviting him to meet at the South County Swordsmanship Finals.
• Carral reluctantly promised tax exemptions at Einhaas's coastal ports and threatened Arthur, while the crowd mocked his poor sportsmanship.
• Arthur recalled that he had arranged the contest to use Jimte's and Carral's reputations to deter potential threats before he pursued the South Los Swordsmanship Tournament championship and a Knight title.
• Norma apologized to Pendragon with dried fish, then thanked Arthur for lifting Jia'er Mountain Town's curse and bringing the town an unforgettable contest.
• Edwin delivered Arthur a note from Malinda, and Arthur opened it with surprise before realizing what it concerned.

Anna disguised herself as a gentleman and took a guard job at St. Joan's Girls' Academy to watch Cassandra Creados and avoid arrest. Arthur set out with his convoy, while the real Cassandra watched the academy from afar before disappearing into the shadows.

• Anna used a borrowed letter of introduction to become a security guard at St. Joan's Girls' Academy, intending to keep an eye on Cassandra and stay out of trouble with the authorities.
• Anna admitted Sarah and Amy, who had applied to work as a cook and cleaner, and noticed that Sarah had a history of violence.
• Arthur read Malinda's account and concluded that Cassandra's presence at the academy was only a front, with a double appearing in her place.
• Arthur told Edwin to set off, and Fuginn took flight to scout the surroundings.
• A falcon flew from Inner Bay to Cassandra Creados, who stroked it, then pulled up her hood and vanished into the shadows.

Fask was assassinated after deciding to contact Arthur Credos’s aunt, and Cassandra claimed the killing as revenge on Prince Severus in the Creados’ name. Arthur returned safely to South Los and settled into 2 Kirk Street with Pendragon, but a surprise involving his cat interrupted his attempt to sleep.

• A disguised assistant tried to kill Fask, but a hidden force killed the impostor and Fask ordered someone to check on Rita.
• Fask planned to contact Cassandra Credos rather than capture her, but an unknown attacker killed him with a binding longsword and set his office on fire.
• Cassandra watched the ensuing search from the Clock Tower and sent Prince Severus a message from the Creados before disappearing.
• Arthur returned to South Los with Simon, Hunter, and Newt, then brought the sleeping Pendragon home to 2 Kirk Street.
• Arthur explained the house rules to Kuliqi and arranged to turn his old bedroom into a laboratory and library.
• Just as Arthur settled down to sleep, he opened his eyes in surprise and looked at his cat.

Pendragon completed his transformation into a secret art creature, strengthening the Cat's Orange ritual and deepening his bond with Arthur. Maltz arrived at Patrick's Used Bookshop with a housewarming gift, only to find a murdered shopkeeper and welcome Arthur back to South Los's renewed violence.

• Pendragon's incomplete griffin physique gave him enhanced abilities, and his advancement improved the Cat's Orange ritual, especially its golden thread.
• Arthur joked that Pendragon should support him and teased him about transforming, but then spoke gently of his relief that the cat was safer; Pendragon cuddled close as they fell asleep.
• Kuliqi noticed a strange scent outside, and Fuginn and Muninn watched its source while one raven followed it.
• Maltz hurried to Patrick's Used Bookshop with a South Los cookbook as a gift for Arthur's new home.
• Maltz found a corpse with its throat slit behind the counter and sighed, welcoming Arthur back to South Los.

Maltz investigated the murder of a bookshop owner and found clues linking the crime to Count Bette and his old wartime comrade Cotton. A note from Cotton’s fiancée left him wondering whether Cotton had returned.

• Maltz ordered patrol officers to secure the bookshop and sent Rooney and Andy to investigate suspicious activity and the shopkeeper’s relationships.
• Maltz found a large gold coin bearing the House of Bette’s insignia and suspected the murder might be connected to Count Bette.
• A cookbook fell from a bookcase, and Maltz discovered a note from Nicole addressed to Cotton on its flyleaf.
• Maltz recognized Cotton and Nicole’s names and recalled that he and Cotton had served in Count Bette’s territory and received similar gold coins.
• Maltz looked toward the corpse and wondered whether Cotton had come back.

Maltz suspected the bookstore owner was connected to Cotton’s death, but news of a murder at The Horn Newspaper diverted him. After the elderly managing editor was found murdered, notes summoned Maltz and Scott to 44 Whitebird Street that night for answers.

• Maltz suspected Cotton had returned for revenge and considered whether the bookstore owner was connected to the deaths of Cotton and his comrades.
• The old managing editor told Scott he planned to retire and held a farewell meal at The Horn Newspaper.
• After lunch, a trainee editor found the old managing editor dead with his throat slit, and Scott called the police.
• Scott noticed a large gold coin near the body and received a note from a boy who ran errands for Arthur.
• Maltz received a note from Muninn, and both notes invited their recipients to 44 Whitebird Street at eight that night.

Malinda brought Arthur the promised gifts and questioned him about the assassination of Fask, one of the Seven Golden Manes, who had been investigating House Creados. Arthur denied his family’s involvement, while Malinda concluded that someone had framed them; she then recognized Mrs. Andor and suspected Arthur had uncovered something else.

• Malinda arrived at 44 Whitebird Street and gave Arthur a Glory Potion, a Cat's Claw scroll, Black Cat Boots, and a cookbook.
• Arthur set aside the potion and scroll to examine privately, then put on the Black Cat Boots and his heightening insoles.
• Malinda criticized the empty salon decorations, and Arthur agreed to let her handle them at House Creados’ expense.
• Malinda told Arthur that Fask had been assassinated while reviewing information on House Creados and that some people suspected his family.
• Arthur insisted Aunt Cassandra and House Creados were innocent, and Malinda decided someone had framed them to distract the Old Lion.
• Malinda recognized Mrs. Andor in the kitchen and asked Arthur whether he had discovered something extraordinary again.

Arthur asked Malinda for compensation after Anna approached Cassandra Creados without permission, then sought ships to expand his fleet. Malinda suspected his offer was a test about “that thing,” leaving Arthur with a rough idea of what she knew.

• Arthur brought up Anna, and Malinda explained that she had approached Cassandra Creados without permission.
• Malinda offered Arthur compensation for the trouble, and Arthur asked for the [Griffin Spirituality Potion] and the [Griffin Storm Potion].
• Malinda rejected Arthur’s request and explained how valuable the potions and their formulas were to powerful nobles.
• Arthur instead asked Malinda for large numbers of ships that could enter service immediately.
• Malinda accused Arthur of testing how much she knew about “that thing,” and Arthur smiled as he began to understand what it was.

Arthur realized the valuable information Malinda possessed concerned either the Thorn or the White Crow, then negotiated a ship-and-profit deal with her. As influential guests gathered at Arthur’s home, Malinda began to suspect the strength of his growing network, and a special guest arrived.

• Arthur narrowed the mysterious ship down to the Thorn or the White Crow and chose not to press Malinda for details.
• Arthur and Malinda negotiated over thirty Cork Sailing Ships and the share of profits from their collaboration.
• Haywood arrived early with a clock as a gift, and Arthur told him to return with a different one.
• Cook arrived as Dort District’s new Chief, followed by Maltz, Scott, and Wiggins, prompting Malinda to consider their combined influence.
• Arthur noticed Malinda’s suspicions and awaited the special guest he had invited to make himself seem more valuable.

Arthur hosted a dinner where Linda revealed her awakened Creados bloodline, while Malinda speculated about the power Arthur had arranged around Linda. The evening ended with Arthur confronting Mrs. Andor as Ms. Nicole and implying that he would not prevent her from dispensing justice.

• Arthur greeted Linda, whose newly strong mystical aura revealed that her Creados bloodline had awakened.
• Malinda misread Arthur’s connections around Linda as a carefully designed network that would benefit Creados.
• Arthur introduced Linda to the guests, then began the dinner party at 44 Whitebird Street.
• Maltz and Scott watched Arthur, hoping to learn what had happened in the deaths connected to Patrick Bookshop and The Horn Newspaper.
• Arthur summoned Mrs. Andor and said he was satisfied with the food, then addressed her as Ms. Nicole and declared that he would not stop others from meting out justice.

Mrs. Andor revealed that Baron Kemail had arranged the forged orders that sent the Old Chief and Cotton's comrades into danger during the Seven-Year War, and that she had killed Kemail and the men who helped him. She explained that she poisoned Kemail over time through food after learning of his crimes, leaving the diners to confront the truth behind her revenge.

• Maltz recognized Mrs. Andor as Cotton's fiancée, and she confirmed that she had killed Patrick Bookshop's owner and Commons, the editor-in-chief of The Horn Newspaper.
• Mrs. Andor told the Old Chief that he had been meant to return to South Los by ship, but the orders were forged by the owner of Patrick Bookshop and sealed by Commons.
• Mrs. Andor named Baron Kemail as the mastermind behind the plan and admitted that she had killed him.
• Scott was shaken to learn that Commons had helped forge the orders, while Malinda suspected Arthur's salon gathering was not a coincidence.
• Mrs. Andor explained that she poisoned Kemail through food after he and his accomplices drunkenly bragged about their crimes at his thank-you banquet.

Linda questioned Mrs. Andor about how she had killed the two victims, since the cuts demanded strength she did not possess. Mrs. Andor revealed that someone had returned, and Arthur identified the shadow attacking him as Baron Kemail.

• Linda asked Mrs. Andor how she had made the powerful, precise cuts on the victims despite her lack of strength.
• Mrs. Andor said she had planned to poison the two men, but changed her plans when he returned.
• A powerful black shadow appeared behind Mrs. Andor and lunged at Arthur as the others prepared to defend themselves.
• Kuliqi knocked the shadow down and tore into it, while Linda's ethereal Guardian Spirit prepared to act.
• Mrs. Andor pleaded with Arthur to forgive Cotton, and Arthur called the shadow Baron Kemail for deceiving a lady.

At the New House Salon, Arthur exposed Baron Kemail as the restless soul hiding behind the appearance of Cotton and killed him. Mrs. Andor begged Malinda to let her see the real Cotton, but when Malinda could not help, Arthur offered to try.

• Malinda realized Arthur had targeted Baron Kemail because of the treasured document about Master Herke's Diary, while Arthur recalled witnessing Mrs. Andor kill the bookshop manager and newspaper editor.
• Arthur revealed Baron Kemail by having Kuliqi burn away the smoke disguising him.
• Baron Kemail defended his attempts to awaken his bloodline, and Kuliqi crushed his head, turning him into death aura that gathered in Arthur's hand.
• Mrs. Andor despaired that Baron Kemail was not Cotton, and the guests asked Malinda to help her see Cotton's true form.
• Malinda admitted silently that she could not help, so Arthur offered to try.

Arthur summoned Cotton so he could reunite with Mrs. Andor, while Malinda agreed to pay Arthur with access to Baron Kemail's treasured Herke diary. Arthur warned the couple that Cotton's time was almost up.

• Arthur offered to help Mrs. Andor and signaled Malinda to agree to his payment.
• Arthur used Spirit Summoning to manifest Cotton, and the Old Chief recognized his old comrade.
• Cotton remembered that he had died more than thirty years earlier, then found Mrs. Andor hiding her face.
• Cotton apologized to Nicole for returning late and asked whether she had received the book he mailed; she embraced him and told him it had been a cookbook full of mistakes.
• Malinda offered Arthur permission to read and copy the Herke diary in Baron Kemail's collection, and Arthur said his summoning ability was unique to him.
• Arthur approached Cotton and Mrs. Andor and warned them that time was almost up.

Arthur revealed that Mrs. Andor was nearing death, so Linda organized a wedding for her and Cotton before they had to leave. After their kiss transformed Mrs. Andor back into Nicole, Arthur created a spectacular fireworks display to celebrate their marriage.

• Arthur told Cotton and Mrs. Andor that both of their lives were nearly over, and Linda decided to arrange their wedding immediately.
• Linda and the guests prepared a wedding venue on the lawn at 44 Whitebird Street, and Arthur led the couple down the aisle.
• Arthur told Cotton to kiss his bride, and the kiss transformed Mrs. Andor into the young Nicole and restored Cotton's uniform.
• Linda set off five fireworks, and Cotton and Nicole thanked her for making their wedding possible.
• Arthur struck the ground with his Walking Stick, summoning a dazzling display of twelve fireworks and enormous illusory bursts, then wished the newlyweds a happy wedding day.

Cotton and Nicole departed together after thanking Arthur and giving him the Evil Spirit Orb. Arthur secretly kept Nicole’s body, while Malinda moved to discuss their real business with him.

• Linda watched Cotton and Nicole’s farewell and resolved to become strong enough to avoid painful happiness.
• Arthur drew Linda between himself and Malinda, then reassured her that they would always be family.
• Cotton gave Arthur the Evil Spirit Orb, which combined his powers with Baron Kemail’s while excluding possession and transformation.
• Cotton and Nicole rose into the night and vanished as the people of Whitebird Street watched.
• Haywood noticed Nicole’s body was gone, and Wiggins assumed it had departed with the couple; Arthur had secretly stored it.
• Malinda approached Arthur and asked to discuss their real business.

Arthur learned that winning the Swordsmanship Tournament was required to earn the Knight title and studied which South Los nobles might oppose him. Malinda revealed that she had already made him a target before registration, then left him guessing about her arrangements.

• Arthur accepted that he had to win the tournament to secure the Knight title, or Creados would owe compensation if Arthur died.
• Malinda warned Arthur that Baron Coroll and Baron Hausmann would send formidable competitors, while Lord Lissop and Lord Byrne were also worth watching.
• Malinda explained the allegiances and backgrounds of the South Los lords, including the Selena family's connection to Lord Laurie.
• Arthur asked Malinda to explain how she had made him a target, and she smiled and told him to guess.

Garcia, a writer and information broker, met Langbain, who invited him to join the Cloak Society so it could protect him. Arthur watched their meeting through Fuginn and hinted to Malinda that he had figured out what she was hiding, leaving her smiling as she realized how he knew.

• Garcia worried that the client who hired him to spread news of Arthur's injury might pose a threat, and considered buying a flintlock for protection.
• Langbain visited Garcia to investigate him, but changed his mind about killing him after seeing how deeply Garcia cared about writing.
• Langbain offered Garcia membership in the Cloak Society and assured him he could continue writing.
• Garcia accepted the offer but chose not to tell Langbain about the client yet.
• Fuginn watched the conversation and reported it to Arthur, who teased Malinda about sensing her connection to fate.
• Malinda dismissed Arthur's explanation, then realized something and smiled at him.