Chapter Summaries

Arthur poured kerosene over Coste's and Emond's corpses after sensing they were moving, while Maltz helped him. When the bodies began writhing in front of their sons and the crowd, Arthur recited a chant and smashed a kerosene lamp onto them.

• Arthur sensed Coste's corpse move and poured kerosene over both bodies, with Maltz helping him.
• Little Coste and Little Emond arrived with Lüttel and a crowd, forcing their way into Maltz's office to claim their fathers' bodies.
• Little Coste and Little Emond feigned grief over the corpses, but Arthur stopped Maltz from confronting them.
• Lüttel tried to appease Maltz with Gold Tickets, then fainted when the corpses began moving grotesquely.
• Arthur chanted a ritual and smashed his kerosene lamp onto the writhing corpses.

Arthur used a staged exorcism to make Coste and Emond’s apparent suicides seem supernatural, protect Maltz from blame, and build his reputation, but he learned nothing about the uncanny presence. After Arthur and Maltz strengthened their alliance amid news of a coming political struggle, Maltz turned to an urgent matter they needed to resolve.

• Arthur burned the twitching corpses and told everyone that Brody’s spirit had made Coste and Emond kill themselves.
• Coste and Emond fled with their men, while the lawyer left Maltz three gold tickets; Maltz gave two to Dico and promised him a probationary police officer position.
• Arthur examined the corpses but gained no XP and could not determine whether the uncanny presence had been defeated or escaped.
• Arthur told Maltz that a sharpshooter had been sent by the Count of South Los and that a struggle with the Grand Duke of Inner Bay was beginning.
• Arthur declared that he would master whatever shore the storm carried him to, and Maltz pledged to work with him.
• Maltz said they needed to resolve something first.

Arthur and Maltz arranged an escape ship and discussed Maltz’s terrifying encounter with the mystical during the Seven-Year War. As they set rules for sharing future earnings, Arthur asked Maltz to help him with the Red Rose Restaurant and the White Rose Restaurant.

• Arthur and Maltz agreed that Maltz would acquire a ship and recruit a captain and crew as a possible escape route from South Los.
• Maltz described how his musketeer company had slaughtered one another during a mysterious event near the end of the Seven-Year War, leaving him as the sole survivor.
• Arthur reassured Maltz that using mystical abilities was difficult and costly, then privately wondered whether the mystical side had declined, gone into hiding, or become restrained.
• Arthur and Maltz negotiated how to divide future earnings, with Maltz proposing that Arthur receive most of the proceeds unless Maltz contributed.
• Two patrol officers brought breakfast and fled nervously after seeing Arthur and the charred corpses in Maltz’s office.
• Arthur asked Maltz whether he knew the Red Rose Restaurant and the White Rose Restaurant and requested his help.

Arthur returned to 2 Kirk Street after the murder case and the deaths of Coste and Emond made the news, then received Malinda’s promised payment and gifts. He discovered the book taught Ei a, but paused before spending XP because he sensed something was wrong.

• Arthur returned from the Shire District Police Department as newsboys sold special editions about the Lady of the Long Night's Salon murder case and Coste and Emond's deaths.
• Edwin delivered pastries, two boxes containing Malinda’s promised mystical materials and payment, and a pipe to Arthur.
• Arthur used the Hands of the Void to test the pastries and inspect the pipe before placing it in the Medium's Hall.
• Arthur opened a book and saw that he could learn Ei a (basic) for 10 XP, bringing his available XP to 56.
• Arthur stopped before learning Ei a and wondered why something felt wrong.

Arthur suspected Malinda had tested him by including both basic and advanced [Ei a], and worried that studying the Mystical Side’s script could increase his spirituality and expose him to danger. He prepared to search South Los for clues, but Wiggins’s agreed knock interrupted him as he left.

• Arthur examined the books Malinda had given him and confirmed that one contained advanced [Ei a] while he lacked mastery of the basic script.
• Arthur suspected basic [Ei a] might carry hidden dangers and considered whether studying it could raise his spirituality and invite more supernatural encounters.
• Arthur tested the scroll in Old Charlie’s hidden compartment, rejected the offer to learn its Mystic Art through overloading, and stored the books and scroll away.
• Arthur reorganized his Medium’s Case, tucked Anna inside his coat, and prepared to search South Los with an umbrella sword.
• Arthur heard Wiggins’s agreed knock at the corridor door as he was about to leave.

Wiggins led Arthur to Toad’s way station on Mule Street after finding the hideout, and Arthur carefully entered the trap-filled house. The chapter ended as Arthur’s [Hands of the Void] lifted a wicker chest and triggered something beneath it.

• Wiggins told Arthur he had found Toad’s hideout and explained that Toad used multiple identities and had a way station near Rat Street.
• Arthur and Wiggins traveled to Mule Street, where Wiggins pointed out a narrow house that appeared to be Toad’s way station.
• Arthur used [Hands of the Void] to open the barred door and probe the house, triggering several hidden crossbow traps.
• Arthur’s [Hands of the Void] opened the cabinet and found a wicker chest inside.
• Arthur felt something snap beneath the wicker chest as his [Hands of the Void] lifted it.

After Toad’s hideout exploded, Arthur paid for the damage and hired Wiggins to recruit more trusted people to gather information. Wiggins pledged himself to Arthur in a Lionheart Salute, and the story left off with someone shouting outside the carriage that a signature was fake.

• Arthur and Wiggins escaped Toad’s hideout just before it exploded, destroying several neighboring houses.
• Arthur gave Wiggins money to compensate the landlord, Haywood, and watched him bargain the payment down to 130 Gold Tickets.
• Arthur paid Wiggins three Gold Tickets and tasked him with using the remaining seventeen to recruit trusted people for gathering information.
• Wiggins accepted the task and pledged his service to Arthur with a Lionheart Salute; Arthur sealed their pact by offering him the sword hilt.
• Shouts came from outside the carriage as someone protested being held and claimed that a signature was fake.

Wiggins stopped Hod and his accomplices from extorting a young man, while Arthur used Anna’s appearance to reinforce Wiggins’s fear and keep people talking about her. Back at 2 Kirk Street, Arthur found Gold Tickets, an empty flask labeled Apophis’s Saliva, and books containing numerous incomplete arts and rituals that he began to investigate.

• Wiggins and his underlings rescued a young man from Hod’s extortion attempt after Anna frightened the three criminals into collapsing.
• Wiggins escorted the young man away, while the young man glimpsed Arthur’s gentle expression toward Anna inside the carriage.
• Arthur told Wiggins that Anna was curious and meddlesome, pleased that Wiggins remained appropriately wary of her.
• Arthur visited Toad’s way station on Rat Street, then returned to 2 Kirk Street after dark without finding any rat corpses.
• Arthur opened Malinda’s wicker trunk and found three books, a flask labeled Apophis’s Saliva, and thirty Gold Tickets worth three hundred in total.
• Arthur’s system identified several mystic arts and many incomplete works; after inspecting another book, Arthur’s frown eased and he smiled.

Arthur read Gram's diary and learned how Gram's grave robbing led him into mystical arts, spiritual dangers, and a long struggle against pursuers and supernatural forces. After reviewing the sections on [Ei a] and spirituality, Arthur chose to write to Malinda rather than visit the secret gathering for ingredients.

• Arthur read Gram's diary, which revealed Gram's birth, grave-robbing career, discovery of a mystical tomb, and study of [Ei a].
• Gram's diary described his growing Spirituality, memory loss, mystical discoveries, failed rituals, and repeated clashes with witch hunters and terrifying beings.
• Gram recorded that he had awakened in South Los in 1795, traded with Xiudik, and later found the Herc Notes and White Silver Potion through Talin.
• Gram wrote that he had found Arthur Credos and planned to use him as a pawn against Xiudik.
• Arthur reviewed the diary's sections on [Ei a] and spirituality, then began writing a letter to Malinda.

Malinda recognized Arthur’s letter as proof that he knew the precautions for learning [Ei a] and sent him a potion to protect him from scrutiny. With the potion in hand, Arthur entered a dark, sealed room and began studying [Ei a], where darkness descended.

• Malinda read Arthur’s request for reading essentials and sent Edwin to deliver him a potion.
• Malinda inferred that Old Charlie and the Credos family were connected to the mystical side, then arranged for the South Los Daily to publish Arthur’s exploits.
• Arthur received Oruncat’s Potion, which could isolate him from entities for an hour while he studied [Ei a].
• Arthur drank the potion and began learning from the basic [Ei a] text in a dark, draft-free secret room.
• Darkness descended as Arthur started studying [Ei a].

Arthur learned the basics of Ei a and saw terrifying scarlet eyes that he realized he must not think about or record. He studied Gram’s Mystic Arts and rituals, then chose the safer Cat’s Orange method to harmonize and restrain his spirituality.

• Arthur learned basic Ei a and saw countless scarlet eyes whose gazes nearly shattered his mind.
• Arthur felt Death Intuition warn him not to think about or record the eyes, so he left the secret chamber and redirected his attention to Gram’s book.
• Arthur learned the ingredients and requirements for Apophis's Saliva, Vampiric Touch, Hymn of Iros, and Smoke Mirror's Usurpation.
• Arthur read about the Cat's Orange, Tower Oath, and Blood's Rise rituals for harmonizing and restraining spirituality.
• Arthur rejected the dangerous Tower Oath and Blood's Rise rituals and chose Cat's Orange because it was safe.

Arthur decided to pursue the Cat Cave’s [Cat’s Orange] ritual and went to Amanda’s Cat Friends’ Home to find an orange cat. He found no suitable cat among those inside, and three young women arriving with their own cats took an interest in him.

• Arthur studied [Cat’s Orange], judging its ingredients and side effects manageable, though he would need to raise an orange cat for its whiskers.
• Arthur recalled how the Sacred Empire’s persecution of cats had helped lead to the Black plague and the empire’s collapse, after which cats became prized pets.
• Arthur traveled through the rain to Amanda’s Cat Friends’ Home, where the elderly owner welcomed him inside and offered him a drink.
• Arthur inspected the cats behind the railing but found no orange cat suitable for the ritual.
• Three well-dressed young ladies entered carrying their cats, and one of them spotted Arthur and became interested in him.

Arthur visited the Cat Lovers' Home to find an adult orange tabby for his [Cat's Orange] ritual, while Linda Camille and her friends gathered for tea nearby. Their gathering ended when Jesse suddenly clutched her throat and collapsed.

• Linda Camille recognized Arthur and introduced him to her friends Ansey and Jesse, whose reactions made him suspect they were hiding secrets.
• Arthur declined Linda's invitation to tea and followed the old woman to the adjoining room to look for an adult orange tabby to adopt.
• Linda, Ansey, and Jesse chatted over tea and treats while showing off their cats, including Jesse's long-haired cat Lily.
• Jesse sneezed and said she had developed an allergy to cat fur, but she continued holding and kissing Lily.
• Jesse suddenly clutched her throat and collapsed to the floor.

Arthur adopted an injured orange tabby and named him Pendragon, but a woman named Jessie died at the cat shelter from an allergic reaction. Arthur suspected her death was connected to someone’s actions and stopped Jessie’s father from killing her cat, Lily, before asking him for answers.

• Arthur adopted a recovering orange tabby, promised the shelter owner he would never abandon him, and named him Pendragon.
• Jessie collapsed and died at Amanda's Cat Friends' Home, and Linda Camille told Arthur that Jessie had suffocated from an allergic reaction to cat fur.
• Arthur noticed Ansey seemed hostile and smug, heard people blame Lily for Jessie's death, and detected a faint peanut scent from the pastries on the table.
• Maltz arrived with Jessie's grieving parents, and Jessie's father grabbed Lily and tried to kill her.
• Arthur stopped Jessie's father, took Lily from him, and asked him to tell the truth.

Arthur exposed Ansey as Jesse’s killer after speaking with the spirits, and Amanda agreed to take in Lily and the white cat. As Maltz took Ansey away, Arthur’s growing unease led him to write a note inviting Malinda over to see his cat.

• Ansey confessed to killing Jesse, then told Linda that Jesse had strangled Lily and thrown her into the water.
• Arthur revealed that spirits could include animals, prompting Ansey to admit she had killed Jesse out of jealousy and anger.
• Maltz arrested Ansey while Jesse’s and Ansey’s parents fought; Arthur gave Lily and the white cat to Amanda to care for.
• After Maltz led Ansey away, Arthur used his Medium’s Case to write Malinda an invitation to visit his place.

Arthur questioned Malinda about the Axe Murderer’s victims and her salon, then negotiated payment for helping her. Malinda offered him several mystical items if he agreed to do her a favor, but Arthur demanded more.

• Malinda visited Arthur late at night and discussed the killings of Ansey and Jesse while meeting his injured cat, Pendragon.
• Arthur confirmed that Ansey, Jesse, Elena, Ritter, and Chief Lark were connected to Malinda’s salon, then asked whether the Axe Murderer had targeted her rivals.
• Malinda denied choosing the victims and reminded Arthur that she had cleaned up loose ends after Lark’s death.
• Arthur requested sunflower, moon grass, golden acorns, and a Vampire Fang as payment, while concealing his true interest in golden acorns and his Remnant Dark Serpent talent.
• Malinda said she could provide the items if Arthur did her a favor, and Arthur demanded additional payment.

Arthur and Malinda renewed their partnership, agreeing to target Mouse Tail Alley in exchange for Cat Faction knowledge. After Malinda hinted at the political stakes surrounding the upcoming Swordsmanship Tournament, Arthur saw a newspaper praising him as a true Medium and was approached by Fontel on Oak Manor’s behalf.

• Arthur asked Malinda for Cat Faction Mystic Arts or knowledge from the Cat Cave in exchange for helping destroy Mouse Tail Alley, and they agreed to work on Arthur’s terms.
• Malinda warned Arthur that the Count’s apparent advantage over the Grand Duke of Inner Bay was only superficial, and Arthur avoided asking further questions about the coming conflict.
• Malinda left Arthur’s house, promising him a surprise, while Arthur carefully removed her ash from his home.
• Arthur bought the South Los Daily after hearing its newsboys praise him as a true Medium.
• Fontel arrived at Arthur’s home and asked him to help Oak Manor.

Fontel asked Arthur to investigate whether Lord Doyle had been murdered after receiving a plea for help hidden in a birthday gift and an anonymous letter. Arthur suspected the case might be connected to his search for golden acorns, and Fontel offered half his inheritance as payment.

• Arthur invited Fontel into the Medium's Hall and listened as he explained that Lord Doyle was his father and had supported him despite keeping him outside Oak Manor.
• Fontel said Lord Doyle had sent him a shortsword for his twenty-second birthday, with a silk message reading “Help me!” hidden in it.
• Fontel returned to Oak Manor with bodyguards and reporters and found Lord Doyle's body in a coffin.
• Fontel accused his two older brothers of killing Lord Doyle because they opposed his will, which gave Fontel an inheritance share equal to theirs.
• Fontel showed Arthur an unsigned letter claiming Lord Doyle had been murdered and asked him to uncover the truth.
• Arthur considered refusing because the case might be a trap, but Fontel offered him half his inheritance as a fee.

Arthur accepted Fontel’s commission to investigate Oak Manor and gathered Scott, Maltz, and Andy to accompany him. As they traveled to the manor, Arthur gained XP from his newspaper exposure and decided to spend his XP on his auxiliary skills.

• Arthur accepted Fontel’s commission and wrote to Malinda, Maltz, and Scott for compensation and assistance.
• Scott arrived first, heard Fontel’s account, and promised to report the truth; Maltz later arrived with Andy and a Patrol Officer to help verify the story.
• After questioning Fontel and confirming that his account remained consistent, Arthur packed his Medium’s Case and brought Pendragon and Lady "Anna" along.
• Arthur, Scott, Fontel, Maltz, and Andy left South Los in two carriages for Oak Manor, with two armed drivers who appeared to be gang members.
• On the journey, Arthur gained XP from his South Los Daily appearance and chose to spend XP on his auxiliary skills.

Arthur upgraded his support skills and arrived at Oak Manor with Fontel and Scott to investigate Lord Doyle’s death. Fontel’s brothers challenged Arthur’s abilities by introducing Detective Albers, but Arthur persuaded Albers to take the case.

• Arthur spent his XP to raise Keen Eyes and Reading People by two levels each, improved his other support skills, and put his last XP into Drawing.
• Arthur, Fontel, and Scott reached Oak Manor, where Head Huntsman Albert and four guards turned away from the road before the carriage arrived.
• Arthur prompted Scott to record Lammit and Gilt’s hostile welcome, forcing the brothers to approach them and hear Fontel defend his right to enter the manor.
• Gilt introduced Detective Albers as a skeptic who would test Arthur’s claims about being a Medium.
• Arthur warmly declared his faith in detectives and urged Albers to uncover the cause of Lord Doyle’s death, and Albers agreed.