Chapter Summaries

As the Swordsmanship Tournament’s registration deadline approached, Malinda and Young Lissop assessed the competing nobles and their allies while wondering why Arthur had not arrived. Freeman finally sensed the Medium’s arrival, leaving the chapter poised for Arthur to appear.

• Malinda recognized that the Byrne family’s three tournament competitors were pirates and considered how to deal with the family without disrupting the Countess’s tournament.
• Malinda and Young Lissop both wondered whether Arthur had been delayed, while Young Lissop suspected the rival families and privately dismissed the Byrne family for working with pirates.
• Young Lissop politely entertained the owner of the Jorjok Swordsmanship Club, who proposed joining forces to win the championship.
• With less than ten minutes before five, Freeman repeatedly watched for the Medium while Amuel thought about the unpublished detective novel she had read overnight.
• Freeman’s breathing grew heavy, and Amuel realized that the Medium had arrived.

Arthur Credos traveled by carriage to Earta Square while Kuliqi, Fuginn, and Muninn killed the bounty seekers who ambushed him. The deathly aura gathered from the corpses followed Arthur and overwhelmed the Gifted at the square when he stepped down from the carriage.

• Ivan prepared explosives to attack Arthur and claim the 1,000 Gold Ticket bounty, but Kuliqi bit off his head.
• Kuliqi killed the four bounty seekers waiting nearby, while Fuginn and Muninn silently killed others along the road.
• Arthur rode through the carnage as Edwin drove the carriage, thinking that Malinda could use the deaths to take control of the bounty taverns.
• Arthur snapped his fingers and drew the deathly aura from the fresh corpses toward his carriage.
• When Arthur arrived at Earta Square and stepped down, the dense deathly aura made the Gifted collapse in terror.

In Earta Square, the Higgins brothers challenged Arthur, believing his imposing presence hid a serious injury. Arthur repelled their eldest brother with ease, and as the brothers began using their resonance, Arthur prepared a misfortune on his right hand.

• The three Higgins brothers recognized Arthur as an injured Step-Entry and saw him as a chance to advance their [Pirate's Blood] ritual through plunder.
• Arthur recognized the brothers as [Pirate's Blood] pirates and understood they planned to combine their strength and attack him physically.
• The eldest Higgins brother charged Arthur, but the collision sent him staggering backward.
• The two younger brothers placed their hands on the eldest Higgins brother's shoulders as he called out, "Resonance!"
• Arthur removed his right glove and brushed his palm over the impact point, placing misfortune there that led to death.

Arthur defeated the Higin Brothers and an assassin sent by the Grand Duke of Inner Bay, then reached the Clock Tower to register for the Swordsmanship Tournament. The tower rang five times as he arrived at exactly five o’clock.

• The Higin Brothers’ Resonance fell apart, and all three collapsed as Arthur calmly raised his gloved hand.
• Young Lissop’s Attendant attacked Arthur with simplified White Bird Swordsmanship, revealing himself as one of the Grand Duke of Inner Bay’s covert guards.
• Arthur froze the young swordsman with the [Evil Spirit Orb]’s [Low Temperature] and walked over the shattered ice, while Malinda recognized the guard’s identity and suspected Young Lissop’s family had colluded with the grand duke.
• Arthur’s display frightened the other swordsmen and noble competitors, and the spectators cleared his path to the Clock Tower.
• Arthur told Freeman and Amuel he had come to register, and the Clock Tower rang five times at five o’clock.

Arthur registered beneath the Clock Tower while Freeman and Amuel tried to ingratiate themselves with him. As several people left the square with plans involving Arthur, he appeared to anticipate the lord's son's scheme.

• Freeman presented Arthur with a registration form, and Arthur signed it as Amuel offered him her chair and proposed becoming his maid.
• Amuel privately imagined the costs of maid uniforms and tights, while the surrounding young men grew jealous of her attention to Arthur.
• Kang Si'ang concluded he could not defeat Arthur but remained determined to become a Step-Entry, then left the square with De'erqiao following.
• De'erqiao believed he could counter Arthur's Frost Qi and sent companions to investigate the Mystic Art Arthur had used against the Higin Brothers.
• Young Lissop pretended to fear Arthur while secretly planning how to deal with him, then hurried away as Arthur's mouth curled into a slight smile.

Arthur watched Young Lissop and the others while Malinda joined him, and the two left Earta Square together. On their carriage ride, they agreed to take control of the Bounty Tavern, and Arthur raised the possibility of South Town.

• Arthur watched Young Lissop from the Clock Tower and had Muninn follow him to learn what he planned to do.
• Malinda met Arthur at the square, and they left together as Amuel watched him go with regret.
• Arthur and Malinda played up their closeness, leaving the young men in the square heartbroken.
• Arthur and Malinda discussed taking over the Bounty Tavern and settled on a twenty-thirty split, with the remaining share understood to belong to the Count.
• Arthur quietly asked Malinda what she thought of South Town.

Arthur and Malinda discussed how to secure South Town’s valuable coal and iron mines by using Lord Lissop’s ties to the Grand Duke of Inner Bay to sway the Count of South Los. They settled on inviting the Grand Duke, though Malinda doubted their proposed share would be enough to win the mines.

• The chapter explained how Lissop acquired his fief and discovered the coal and iron that turned South Town into a prosperous settlement.
• Arthur revealed that he wanted Malinda to help him obtain South Town when she inherited Baron Kemail’s title.
• Malinda warned that the Count of South Los would resist creating another powerful Lord Lissop, but she began considering how to use Lissop’s ties to the Grand Duke of Inner Bay.
• Arthur proposed a two-three-five split and said the Count would side with them if they used the situation well.
• Malinda judged that the mines were too valuable for the Count to accept their proposed arrangement, and Arthur concluded that they should invite His Excellency.

Arthur planned to involve Lady Julie in his scheme and arranged a dinner for her with Malinda. While waiting for his guest, he discovered that Merlin’s uncle Gaius practiced potion-making on the mystical side and began to suspect Merlin’s arrival might have been planned.

• Arthur told Malinda to invite Lady Julie, and Malinda left through a smoke ring to fetch her.
• Arthur ordered dinner and liquor for the gathering and gave Merlin two Gold Tickets to pay for them.
• Arthur recalled that Fuginn had discovered Merlin’s uncle Gaius was a mystical practitioner studying potion-making, and he decided to wait rather than confront them.
• Arthur returned home and distracted Pendragon from complaining by letting the cat attack Kuliqi.
• Arthur prepared the house and tea for Lady Julie, then frowned at something unexpected as he waited.

Kang Si'ang visited Arthur Credos at 2 Kirk Street, hoping to trade his wealth for a Step-Entry diagram. After accidentally revealing an embarrassing secret, Kang made his offer, but Arthur rejected it as insufficient.

• Kang Si'ang approached 2 Kirk Street, frightened by the Death Snake Banyan in Arthur's courtyard.
• Arthur greeted Kang and led him into the Medium's Hall, where Kang assumed Arthur already knew why he had come.
• At Arthur's prompt, Kang blurted out an embarrassing story about a three-second first time before claiming it concerned a friend.
• Kang asked Arthur to trade a Step-Entry diagram for all the wealth he had accumulated, and Arthur said it was not enough.

Arthur learned that step-entry charts were tied to the rituals that preceded them and that mixing different lineages could hinder future advancement. Kang Si'ang swore the Sea's Gift to Arthur and asked him to help protect Whale Island from pirates, then proposed they pull off something big.

• Kang Si'ang explained that Baron Coroll had first offered him a step-entry chart for 100,000 gold coins, then tried to trade a better chart for a favor, and he praised Arthur for refusing to deceive him.
• Arthur revealed that he was the current Black Cat of the Black Cat Faction, and Kang Si'ang recognized that Arthur's Communing with the Netherworld ritual would make teaching him a different chart troublesome.
• Arthur realized that different rituals could use one another's charts but that mixing lineages risked damaging or blocking future advancement.
• Kang Si'ang asked Arthur to visit Whale Island and help deter pirates planning a gathering during next year's Summer Celebration, offering him his savings and thirty percent of the island's future income.
• Kang Si'ang swore the Sea's Gift to Arthur, binding his sword and himself to defend Arthur's reputation, interests, and lands.
• Kang Si'ang leaned close to Arthur and asked whether they should pull off something big.

Kang Si'ang told Arthur that a secretive figure was drawing pirates to Coconut Island, where Bloody John's men were investigating nearby deserted islands. Arthur ordered Kang Si'ang to keep watch and then welcomed Malinda and Julie to dinner.

• Kang Si'ang explained that someone had spread news from the Western Sea and that pirates were gathering at Coconut Island.
• Kang Si'ang reported that Bloody John's men had been seen near deserted islands where pirate captains had hidden their wealth.
• Arthur suspected the islands held a secret connected to the Pirate King's legacy and ordered Kang Si'ang to monitor Bloody John.
• Kang Si'ang gave Arthur a Communication Stone and left after pledging to report any news.
• Arthur received food and alcohol, then greeted Julie as she and Malinda arrived.

Arthur and Malinda sparred under the dinner table while discussing Malinda’s household appointments and possible ceremony guests with Julie. Arthur hinted that Lord Lissop had taken action, then counted down to a visitor ringing the bell at 2 Kirk Street.

• Arthur praised the apprentices’ braised chicken and drank lemonade to avoid the dish’s trace of alcohol.
• Arthur and Malinda secretly stomped on each other’s feet and retaliated with chili sauce and white pepper.
• Julie asked Malinda about choosing a chief swordsman, and Malinda said Arthur would serve as chief swordsman and chief guard.
• Malinda and Julie discussed guests for the ceremony, including Lord Lissop, whom Arthur said had also taken action.
• Arthur counted down, and the doorbell rang at 2 Kirk Street.

Todd Gilly arrived at Arthur’s home in the rain to fulfill their agreement, carrying two swordsmanship scrolls he had obtained for Young Lissop’s steward. Arthur recognized them as the Swiftbird Breathing Technique and Swiftbird Meditation Technique, while Todd remained unaware that his greed had drawn him into a dangerous situation.

• Todd Gilly hurried his coachman through the rain, fantasizing about the wealth and status he expected to gain for helping Young Lissop’s steward.
• Todd arrived at 2 Kirk Street with a small box and told Arthur he had come to fulfill their agreement.
• Arthur’s mood soured when Todd’s arrival reminded him of the maggots in the cheese at the Red Rose Restaurant.
• Todd opened the box and showed Arthur two scrolls, which Arthur identified as the Swiftbird Breathing Technique and Swiftbird Meditation Technique.

Arthur received Swiftbird Breathing Technique and Swiftbird Meditation Technique from Todd Gilly, recognizing Young Lissop’s attempt to undermine him as an opportunity. As Julie documented the exchange to protect Arthur at the competition, he declared that chaos was a ladder upward, leaving Malinda stunned in the rain.

• Arthur accepted the two Swiftbird Mystic Arts from Todd Gilly and watched him leave, while Edwin followed him from the shadows.
• Malinda and Julie examined the scrolls, and Julie recalled how the Grand Duke had used Swiftbird Swordsmanship to draw nobles into political schemes during the Seven-Year War.
• Arthur reflected on rumors about the Old Lion and asked Julie to keep the Mystic Arts safe and testify to his innocence at the competition.
• Julie wrote a contract documenting the exchange, then took the opened barrel of honey fruit wine as her payment and left.
• Malinda worried that Julie would be caught in the coming chaos, but Arthur declared that chaos was a ladder upward before rain splashed Malinda in the face.

Arthur spent the night reading before heading to South Los for the Swordsmanship Tournament, while learning that Lord Lissop had tried to silence a witness and maintained a secret guard unit. As the tournament began, Lissop sensed danger and resolved to act immediately.

• After Malinda left, Arthur returned home with Pendragon and spent the night reading by the fire with his pets.
• The people of South Los prepared for the triennial Swordsmanship Tournament, with merchants setting up stalls and entertainment arranged for the crowds.
• Edwin told Arthur that Young Lissop had tried to silence a witness, but Malinda's people rescued the witness and tricked the killer with an illusion.
• Arthur learned through Eli that Lord Lissop had a secret guard unit in addition to his public guards, and he and Edwin discussed the danger facing the lord.
• At his manor, Lord Lissop sensed that his plans might be exposed and decided he had to act immediately as the tournament began in Earta Square.

At the Swordsmanship Tournament, Arthur drew attention by turning his early matches into lessons for his opponents and winning the crowd’s praise. As Young Lissop watched Arthur’s growing popularity, he moved to interrupt the next match.

• The Swordsmanship Tournament began after Julie finished reading the Count of South Los’s ceremonial address, while Arthur woke from a stealthy standing nap and headed to Section A.
• Arthur encouraged his first opponent, a Jorjok Swordsmanship Club student, to attack and offered him pointers before disarming him.
• Arthur continued the teaching matches, drawing a crowd and praise as the Whale-Slaying Sword and the Gale Sword quickly defeated their opponents in other sections.
• Young Lissop watched Arthur attract the spectators, then left Section D and called out for the next match in Section A to wait.

Young Lissop accused Arthur Credos of stealing his family’s Swiftbird Swordsmanship and publicly challenged him to prove the accusation false. Arthur faced him down, but Young Lissop invoked Lady Julie to judge the dispute, leaving the crowd awaiting her response.

• Young Lissop stirred up the crowd by claiming he had come to defend fairness in the arena.
• Young Lissop accused Arthur Credos of stealing his family’s Swiftbird Swordsmanship, prompting surprise and suspicion among the spectators.
• Arthur questioned Young Lissop about the consequences of slander and stepped toward him as his deathly aura intensified.
• Young Lissop swore he had not slandered Arthur and offered his fortune and a South Town mining stake if he was lying.
• Young Lissop appealed to Lady Julie to see that justice was done.

Young Lissop accused Arthur Credos of stealing his family's Mystic Art, turning the arena crowd against the 'Medium.' After Young Lissop reaffirmed his accusation, Arthur produced a contract that caused the crowd to erupt.

• Young Lissop's accusation spread through Earta Square as rumors falsely claimed Arthur Credos stole Mystic Arts and devoured souls.
• De'erqiao and Kang Si'ang suspected the nobility had provoked the scandal, while Kang Si'ang watched without intervening.
• Young Lissop asked Swordsmanship Chief Julie to uphold justice, and she refused to shield a thief before asking Arthur if he had anything to ask.
• Arthur asked Young Lissop whether he was certain, and Young Lissop confidently repeated his accusation.
• Arthur turned away in apparent sorrow as a contract appeared above the platform, and the crowd erupted after reading it.

Arthur revealed the contract proving Young Lissop had deceived the crowd, then turned their guilt into admiration by praising their kindness and accepting their symbolic gift of a stone. He left the Arena with Young Lissop to handle their private matter in the Bell Ringer's room beneath the Clock Tower.

• The contract confirmed the Chief Swordsman's account and showed that the Medium had knowingly given Young Lissop another chance, prompting the crowd to curse Young Lissop and blame him for their earlier doubts.
• Arthur caught a stone thrown at Young Lissop and told the crowd their anger proved their kindness, presenting the stone as a cherished symbol of their hearts.
• The crowd bowed to Arthur, while artists began sketching him as a radiant, godlike figure and merchants offered to supply them with materials.
• Arthur asked to leave to settle a private matter with Young Lissop, and the crowd praised him as he descended from the Arena.
• Arthur entered the Bell Ringer's room beneath the Clock Tower with Young Lissop, and the door closed behind them.

Arthur forced Young Lissop to sign a contract surrendering three South Los shops and a stake in South Town’s coal and iron businesses. The female Chief Swordsman saw the agreement as a chance for the South Los family to break its deadlock with Lord Lissop, and invited Arthur over that night.

• Young Lissop failed to escape the locked room and realized Arthur had trapped him into signing the contract.
• Arthur said he had acted cautiously rather than assuming the worst, and Young Lissop gave up his Recording Stone and signed the contract.
• Arthur stored the completed contract and told Young Lissop to wait while he finished the tournament.
• The female Chief Swordsman noticed Young Lissop’s trembling hand and realized he still expected help from his father, Lord Lissop.
• The female Chief Swordsman saw the contract as a chance to challenge Lord Lissop’s leverage over the mines and invited Arthur to taste Wheat Juice that night.