Chapter Summaries

Greisa Hamlet dismissed Hayes’s allies as useless and ordered surveillance on Diodone, Pistrie, and “The East,” while Hayes prepared for his plan with Manta’s support. Carral and Jimte read Hayes’s ciphered instructions and set out to alert Arthur without using their Communication Crystal.

• Greisa Hamlet learned that Hayes had invited Alvis and ordered his men to watch Diodone and Pistrie closely.
• Greisa also ordered surveillance on “The East” and threatened to kill the Medium regardless of his connections.
• Hayes thanked Manta for supporting him and helping him prepare his plan, then asked her to leave the rest to him.
• Carral read Hayes’s ciphered note explaining his plan and the moves Greisa and Alvis would make, and complained that Hayes was showing off.
• Carral and Jimte decided to alert Arthur through the watchers around the Storm Inn rather than risk using their Communication Crystal.

Jimte brought seventeen women to the Storm Inn after winning a wager against Carral, claiming they could earn 100 gold coins by satisfying him. As Jimte left with his fiancée, three surveillance operatives grew suspicious and secretly contacted their people; Carral then ordered the women to begin with 100 squats.

• Seventeen women arrived at the Storm Inn, including three surveillance operatives assigned to watch Carral and Jimte.
• Jimte told the women that Carral had lost their wager and explained that each woman who satisfied Carral could receive 100 gold coins.
• Jimte left the suite with the Marquis of West Berlin's second daughter, while the three operatives worried that his departure was part of a scheme.
• Carral told the women to change into hunting outfits and use the rooms he had prepared.
• The three operatives secretly used Communication Stones to contact their people, spreading supernatural spirituality throughout the Storm Inn.
• Carral told the assembled women to start by doing 100 squats.

Anne laughed at Carral’s screening scheme while Jimte set out to provoke Barro Hamlet and expose Greisa, hoping to advance his lord’s plans. He left the suite with watchers following him, embracing the danger as his chance to reshape the Inner Bay’s situation.

• Anne burst into laughter at Carral’s demand that people perform a hundred squats, while Jimte kept Carral’s real screening purpose from her.
• Jimte reassured Anne, then slipped out through the window and deliberately stirred the curtains so the watchers would notice him.
• Jimte planned to tell Barro Hamlet that he and Little Lion shared a mistress, provoking Barro and testing whether his reputation was genuine.
• Before meeting Barro, Jimte intended to expose Greisa and use the watchers to alert Little Lion that she had been discovered.
• Jimte accepted the risk of Barro or Little Lion killing him because he hoped to win his lord’s favor and become the vanguard of a coming upheaval.

Arthur learned about Hayes's, Jimte's, and Carral's schemes and waited for news from South Los, suspecting a serious crisis there. When "Lady Anna" arrived with Malinda's note, he read it and reacted with shock, understanding, and a smile.

• Arthur learned that Hayes, Jimte, and Carral each had plans timed around midnight, including Carral's attempt to make Arthur appear as a hero during an attack on Little Lion's properties.
• Arthur pictured the schemers' plans colliding and wondered whether the golden lion would bare its fangs again.
• After receiving a note that Malinda had asked "Lady Anna" to wait, Arthur sent Fuginn and Muninn to bring her back and deliver a Communication Stone to Merlin.
• Arthur played with Pendragon, Kuliqi, and Kili while the Eastern's other guests attended a prize-draw salon.
• "Lady Anna" arrived with pastries and Malinda's note, and Arthur read it with shock and understanding before smiling.

Arthur learned that Old Lion had arrived in South Los and formed a plan to bring outside allies into the looming conflict. He then assigned Miha and Yilo to study a codebook and asked about their efforts to recruit demigods.

• Arthur read Malinda's note confirming Old Lion's arrival in South Los and considered how a war or settlement would affect Mother Tiger and his own growth.
• Arthur identified Count Bette, Barro Hamlet, the Marquis of West Berlin, and the Marquis of Einhaas as potential allies, then burned the note.
• Arthur introduced Lady Anna as Miha and Yilo's housekeeping instructor, and Lady Anna regarded the sisters with wariness.
• Miha and Yilo swore loyalty to Arthur, who gave them South Los Nursery Rhymes as a codebook and ordered them to record what they knew.
• Miha told Arthur they had sent word to suitable demigods and expected replies soon, and Arthur asked the sisters what they thought about the matter.

Arthur questioned Miha and Yilo about a mysterious matter, but they warned that speaking of it would trigger a dangerous backlash. He let them leave with Lady Anna for their first lesson, then used the title “The Blood Marquis” to pressure them into revealing what they knew and contacted Malinda.

• Arthur asked Miha and Yilo about the matter, and they identified it as a conspiracy.
• Miha explained that speaking about the matter voluntarily carried a powerful backlash, and she prepared to bear it rather than endanger Yilo.
• Arthur stopped Miha and told Lady Anna to teach the sisters etiquette, cooking, and household chores.
• As Miha and Yilo followed Lady Anna into the cabin, Arthur mentioned the Blood Marquis, making them realize he intended to use the Contract to get answers involuntarily.
• Arthur reclined in his lounge chair, took out the Communication Crystal, and told Malinda that he missed her.

Malinda worried that Old Lion’s arrival would lead to South Los falling under the Golden Lion Family and leave Arthur in danger. She considered fleeing with Arthur but hesitated over what he wanted, until his voice came through the Communication Crystal to say he missed her.

• Malinda paced her study, anxious that Old Lion had arrived in South Los and intended to reclaim his reputation by fighting the Countess.
• Malinda considered the dangers of losing South Los, including losing her fleets and being confined to her manor.
• Malinda contacted her overseas forces and thought Arthur might already be planning an escape from South Los.
• Malinda considered running away with Arthur to North County, then hesitated because she feared he might not want to leave with her.
• Malinda answered the flashing Communication Crystal, and Arthur told her he missed her.

Malinda suspended her planned suicide attacks after Arthur called, believing he might have found a solution, and went to meet him with food. Meanwhile, Aisi Bonaparte South Los prepared to resist the Old Lion and waited for reinforcements.

• Arthur called Malinda and asked her to meet him face-to-face, requesting a late-night snack from Aunt Mary's kitchen.
• Malinda realized Arthur's calm tone suggested he might have found a way out, packed his favorite foods, and left to see him.
• Malinda ordered Uls to put Plan A on hold, halting the planned suicide attacks in the Inner Bay.
• Aisi Bonaparte South Los recognized that the Old Lion was far stronger than she had believed and planned to hold him in South Los while opening a second front in the Inner Bay.
• Aisi waited for reinforcements and looked toward the doorway.

Mrs. Susan failed to contact any member of the Clock Tower and learned that the Countess planned to face the Old Lion without their help. She agreed to hold him back for ten seconds in exchange for the Countess’s promise to protect Arthur, while Malinda arrived where Arthur and Lady Anna were.

• Mrs. Susan used three Communication Crystals beneath the South Los Count's Estate to try to contact the Clock Tower, but no one answered.
• Mrs. Susan returned to the Countess, who ordered Cathy, Julie, Valerie, and the others to follow her commands as South Los prepared for war.
• The Countess asked Mrs. Susan to hold the Old Lion back for ten seconds, and Mrs. Susan agreed after asking her to ensure Arthur lived a safe and happy life.
• The Countess promised to take care of Arthur, and the study shifted to a wartime footing.
• On the terrace outside the top cabin, Lady Anna shielded a candle from the wind as Arthur thanked her, and Malinda arrived by carriage and leaped down.

Arthur and Malinda shared a late-night meal and discussed the cruel beings who considered themselves superior, before Arthur offered to help the Countess deal with the Old Lion for a set of rewards. Malinda suspected Arthur might flee with the spoils and demanded half.

• Malinda arrived to bring Arthur a late-night snack, and Lady Anna took Miha and Yilo into the cabin to give them time alone.
• Arthur reassured Malinda that she was important to him and invited her to explore the world beyond the mountains with him.
• Arthur described nonhuman beings who exploited people and said only the Destined One could address them, leaving Malinda confused by his cryptic remarks.
• Arthur demanded tax exemptions and several items in exchange for helping the Countess resolve her trouble with the Old Lion.
• Malinda asked whether Arthur planned to take the loot and run, then demanded half.

Arthur contacted the Countess of South Los with a proposal to resolve the crisis involving the Old Lion and potentially kill him. The Countess accepted his demands for rare items and access to her family’s library, but Arthur ended the conversation without revealing his plan.

• Malinda assumed Arthur planned to exploit the Countess of South Los and agreed to help, while Arthur insisted he still had better options.
• Arthur contacted the Countess through the Communication Crystal and arranged a heavily secured conversation about the Old Lion.
• Malinda demanded tax exemption, the Fierce Tiger Claw, the Dire Wolf Ear, and three mystic items exclusive to Master Herke on Arthur’s behalf.
• The Countess refused to provide three Master Herke items, offering one and substitutes for the others, and Arthur accepted.
• Arthur requested access to the South Los Family’s entire library, which the Countess granted, but he refused to reveal his proposal.

Arthur warned the Countess of South Los to stay vigilant, then revealed Miha and Yilo’s identities to Malinda to draw her into his plans against Old Lion. He invited Malinda to the Eastern’s late-night salon, leaving her ready to get involved.

• Arthur ended his communication with the Countess of South Los after asking her to stay alert and keep their current arrangements.
• Arthur introduced Miha and Yilo to Malinda, who recognized them as the legendary Lady of Pain and Lady of Suffering.
• Arthur offered Malinda their secret as payment for telling the Countess about them, and Malinda inferred that Arthur was plotting against Old Lion.
• Arthur invited Malinda to join him at the Eastern’s late-night salon, which included a prize draw.

Arthur arrived late to the Eastern’s banquet with Malinda and offered the prize he had won to its trumpeter, opening another draw for everyone else. When Malinda asked why he had done this, Arthur answered that he was being late.

• The passengers and crew celebrated the Eastern’s adventures, and the previous night’s prize-winning reporter praised the ship and Arthur.
• Old Barry announced a chair-based prize draw, and the trumpeter won the prize.
• Arthur arrived with Malinda, asked to share in the trumpeter’s good fortune, and the trumpeter agreed to give him the prize.
• Arthur thanked the trumpeter and started another draw, excluding anyone who had already won that night.
• Malinda asked Arthur what he was doing, and he replied that he was being late.

Arthur delayed the Eastern’s departure and changed its route to Kilger Harbor, while Jimte tortured Baron Singer to force a meeting with Barro Hamlet. The chapter left Arthur waiting aboard the ship and Singer enduring the next stage of Jimte’s plan.

• Arthur told Old John to delay departure until noon, buy extra supplies at Pult Harbor, and bypass Rondohart Port for Kilger Harbor.
• Malinda left the Eastern to return to South Los after telling Arthur she looked forward to what he had planned.
• Arthur lay down on the deck chair and pretended to sleep while keeping his eyes slightly open.
• Jimte pulled out Baron Singer’s third tooth after Singer said he could not control whether Barro Hamlet would meet him.
• Jimte made Singer eat ten pies, and Singer silently wondered why his lord had not arrived.

Jimte escaped Baron Singer’s residence after spreading a rumor about Barro Hamlet, but Joel Coleman intercepted him and forced him to use his trump card to vanish. At Rondohart Port, the white Eastern approached and then sailed away, leaving the waiting crowd confused.

• Jimte arranged for Baron Singer’s confidant to spread the rumor that Lord Barro and Little Lion shared a lover, then persuaded Baron Singer to leave his study and slipped away.
• Baron Singer discovered Jimte was gone and called for guards, while Jimte fled from the residence.
• Joel Coleman blocked Jimte’s path, and Jimte recognized him as a sign that Barro Hamlet was making a major move.
• Jimte used his bloodline ability to send his sword at Joel Coleman, but Joel stopped it and struck back with a powerful slash.
• Jimte vanished with a glass-shattering sound, and Joel Coleman walked off in a particular direction.
• At Rondohart Port, the white Eastern approached but then sailed away, confusing the people waiting there.

Little Lion and Depro waited in Rondohart Port for Arthur to arrive so they could exploit the Bette brothers’ conflict, but the Eastern sailed toward the Inner Bay instead. Depro rushed to confront his brothers, while Little Lion tried to contact Diliven and Peggy before receiving alarming news from his hidden pawn.

• Little Lion assured Depro that Arthur’s arrival would settle the succession conflict, while secretly enjoying how he had manipulated the Bette brothers against one another.
• Depro grew furious after learning that Diliven and Peggy had recruited death warriors and insisted that he was Count Bette’s rightful heir.
• A messenger reported that the Eastern had bypassed Rondohart Port and headed for the Inner Bay, disrupting Depro’s plans.
• Depro ended his cooperation with Greisa and left to deal with Diliven and Peggy, while Little Lion slipped away to contact them.
• Little Lion answered a call from his hidden pawn in the Inner Bay and reacted with alarm to the news.

Greisa Hamlet chose to remain in Bette Territory and accelerate his plans, while Depro, Diliven, and Peggy all moved to strike. Alvis Hamlet sent death warriors to Swook Street to exploit the coming clash, unaware that a raven was watching him.

• Greisa Hamlet realized his uncle had concealed his true intentions, then chose to stay in Bette Territory and speed up Depro’s actions.
• After the Eastern sailed away, Diliven decided to attack first, and Peggy rode out with fifteen death warriors and two hundred private soldiers to kill Depro.
• Alvis Hamlet learned that Diliven, Peggy, and Depro were heading toward a confrontation on Swook Street and ordered two death warriors to blame Greisa during the fight.
• Alvis sent half his death warriors toward the battle, then waited for events to unfold as a pitch-black raven watched him from outside.

Depro, Diliven, and Peggy clashed at Swook Street, where Peggy’s Thunder Guns devastated his brothers’ cavalry and the battle exposed their shared ties to Greisa and the Death Poetry Society. As the brothers’ hidden forces began fighting, two death warriors serving Alvis were silently killed, leaving Greisa’s plot undisclosed.

• Depro, Diliven, and Peggy ordered their cavalry to charge, and Peggy’s Thunder Guns cut down many of Depro’s and Diliven’s troops.
• Diliven sent death warriors after Peggy, but the two sides’ warriors destroyed one another except for a severely wounded survivor.
• Depro sent his own death warriors and three unusual figures into the fight, only to discover that Diliven and Peggy had raised dead warriors with the Death Poetry Society’s Mystic Art.
• Depro’s and Peggy’s forces turned to fighting death warriors and mystical practitioners while their cavalry became secondary.
• Two daggers killed the death warriors serving Alvis before they could accuse Greisa, and no one noticed their deaths.

Little Lion confronted Alvis in a safe house and revealed that he had been monitoring him and had secretly arranged to seize the Bette Territory. Before Little Lion could use Alvis to test Barro Hamlet, a mysterious man killed Alvis and identified himself as Count Bette.

• Alvis grew uneasy while waiting for news, then found Little Lion outside his secret room in Greisa Hamlet.
• Little Lion entered after killing Alvis's death warrior and mocked Alvis for thinking he could escape.
• When Alvis lunged at him, Little Lion cut off his forearm with a Silver Dinner Knife and revealed that he had monitored Alvis and planted pawns throughout South County.
• Little Lion explained that his hidden agents had helped him take control of the Bette Territory and planned to keep Alvis alive to probe Barro Hamlet.
• A neatly dressed middle-aged man tore out Alvis's heart and made his body melt, prompting Little Lion to recognize him as Count Bette.

Count Bette confronted Greisa Hamlet, who survived his freezing attack with Elena’s Mercy and tried to escape, only to have his spatial Talent controlled. Greisa unleashed the River of Death, but Count Bette appeared behind him and seized his heart before suddenly furrowing his brow.

• Count Bette’s presence chilled Greisa’s body, and Greisa used Elena’s Mercy to recover and grow stronger.
• Greisa fled through a spatial rift, but Count Bette restored the rift and forced him back.
• Greisa realized Count Bette had controlled his Talent and stepped away from the spot where Greisa’s trap appeared.
• Greisa unleashed the Blood Duke’s River of Death, filling the secret room with scarlet vortices and reaching arms.
• Count Bette appeared behind Greisa and pierced his back to grasp his heart, then suddenly furrowed his brow.