Chapter Summaries

Arthur offered to help the Old Lion's youngest son take revenge on Diodone and claim power in the Inner Bay in exchange for extensive political and financial rewards. After learning that his father was away and his eldest brother Greisa was dead, the youngest son began to consider becoming lord of the Inner Bay.

• The Old Lion's youngest son told Arthur he planned to leave Kilger Harbor for South Los, and Arthur warned that someone had already arranged for him to die there.
• The youngest son realized that his brother Diodone had sealed his talent and sacrificed more than a hundred people, including their relatives, and agreed that he wanted revenge.
• Arthur offered to help in return for tax exemptions, grants, territory, gold-mining rights, and a pardon for his future offenses.
• The youngest son inferred that his father had left the Inner Bay, and Arthur confirmed that Greisa was dead.
• Inspired by the hope of improving life for people like Del, the youngest son considered becoming lord and asked why he should trust Arthur, who identified himself as Arthur Credos.

Arthur Credos met with Pistrie Hamlet, the Old Lion's youngest son, who asked for concrete assurances before considering cooperation. Arthur assigned Sean and Bont to stay with him, then introduced a mysterious person whose appearance shocked Pistrie.

• Pistrie Hamlet recognized Arthur Credos and admired his resolve, but asked for something more concrete before trusting him.
• Arthur summoned Sean and Bont, two Major Arcana Rank experts from the Cat Cave, and introduced them as his trusted subordinates.
• Arthur said Sean and Bont would stay with Pistrie Hamlet to watch him and help them cooperate, leaving Pistrie embarrassed and irritated.
• Arthur said he wanted Pistrie to meet someone, and a figure stepped out.
• Pistrie Hamlet sprang to his feet and exclaimed that he recognized the figure.

Arthur revealed Potteriman as his loyal subordinate, shocking the Old Lion’s youngest son. Arthur understood that the Old Lion had left the Inner Bay to expose and eliminate its hidden instability, and he saw the Old Lion’s absence as an opportunity to act freely.

• Potteriman emerged, and the Old Lion’s youngest son recognized him as the Death Poetry Society’s Left Cantor and panicked at seeing him beside Arthur.
• The Old Lion’s youngest son pretended to be disoriented while buying time, but Arthur saw through his act.
• Potteriman knelt before Arthur and addressed him as “Your Highness,” confirming his loyalty.
• Arthur realized the Old Lion had gone to South Los to draw out the Inner Bay’s unstable forces and unify South County.
• Arthur welcomed the Old Lion’s absence and asked his youngest son whether Potteriman’s allegiance proved his sincerity.

Pistrie Hamlet revealed that he intended to use his legitimate claim to the Grand Duke of Inner Bay title and an alliance with Diodone Hamlet to challenge his uncle. Arthur recognized that Pistrie’s apparent plan to kill Diodone was not what he truly intended, but the chapter ended before Arthur explained his insight.

• Pistrie Hamlet marveled at Arthur’s hidden control of the Death Poetry Society and other forces in Inner Bay.
• Arthur pressed Pistrie to speak honestly, and his influence caused Pistrie to reveal his claim and political ambitions.
• Pistrie said he could win support from Inner Bay’s seven great families and members of the Golden Lion Family.
• Pistrie named Diodone Hamlet as someone who would help him oppose his uncle, while secretly considering how to use the alliance.
• Arthur reconsidered his suspicion that Pistrie meant to kill Diodone and realized what Pistrie truly wanted to do.

Arthur concealed his deathly aura while revealing his power to the Old Lion's youngest son, who signed a partnership contract with him. After the visitors left, Arthur shared grilled fish with Potteriman, who reported that the Gold Mine's location had been confirmed.

• Arthur used his deathly aura to impress the Old Lion's youngest son and keep the display hidden from outsiders.
• The Old Lion's youngest son signed Arthur's Contract and left with Sean and Bont.
• Arthur withdrew the aura and treated Potteriman to grilled fish.
• Potteriman told Arthur that the Gold Mine's location had been confirmed.

Arthur learned that the Golden Lion Family’s true gold mine lay beneath the Lion Palace, while the family believed a poor or exhausted mine was hidden at one of three other locations. As dawn broke, Arthur stood ready to act on the revelation.

• Potteriman told Arthur that the gold mine was beneath the Lion Palace and that the Construct Maker and Bloodshadow Thorn had guarded it from inside for a week.
• Arthur learned that Diodone Hamlet had overseen the Lion Palace’s construction and that the Old Lion’s youngest son only assisted with the Inner Bay’s finances.
• Arthur deduced that the Old Lion had hidden the rich mine from his own family by leaving them to believe in a poor mine at one of three decoy locations.
• The Death Poetry Society’s Left Cantor realized the Old Lion had used the Society to guard the mine and that the guards he killed had likely been silenced.
• The Left Cantor’s fear of the Old Lion faded as he trusted Arthur’s intelligence, and dawn arrived as Arthur smiled, ready for the moment he had awaited.

After South Los declared war on the Inner Bay, Mr. Duer sent his family away and rushed to secure passage out as people across South County reacted to Arthur Credos’s name. Arthur gained 33,000 XP, bringing his total to 109,000, and prepared to pursue Ascension Rank by testing Potteriman’s loyalty.

• Mr. Duer read that the Countess had declared war on the Inner Bay and granted Arthur Credos a barony, then sent his wife and children to the countryside and hurried to the docks for ship tickets.
• People in South Los, West Berlin, Einhaas, and Bette Territory reacted to the news and remembered Arthur Credos’s name.
• Arthur gained 33,000 XP from the war declaration, the Inner River Church’s fervor, and his growing reputation as the Calamity.
• Arthur confirmed his total had reached 109,000 XP and noted that the Great Dragon Horn and Raging Bear Gall were ready for his Ascension Rank breakthrough.
• Arthur asked Potteriman whether he could be trusted, then asked whether he could die for him.

Arthur recruited Potteriman to fight under his command and told him their immediate task was only to stage a show to shock the Inner Bay's leaders. He then urged the Countess of South Los to declare war on the Old Lion in three days, leaving her stunned when he ended their call.

• Potteriman eagerly accepted Arthur's command to fight until death, and Arthur explained that they would put on a show for the Inner Bay's leaders.
• Arthur contacted the Countess of South Los, who confirmed that his requested reward was on its way and admitted she hoped her declaration of war would make the Old Lion retreat.
• Arthur learned that the Old Lion had continued his usual routine and seemed cheerful despite the declaration of war, while the Countess grew increasingly uneasy.
• Arthur told the Countess to declare war on the Old Lion in her own name and settle it outside South Los in three days.
• The Countess objected and insisted she was not bluffing, but Arthur ended the call without answering her.

Aisi Bonaparte South Los fumed after Arthur ended their call, but Mrs. Susan persuaded her to give him three days to prove himself. Arthur arrived in Kilger Harbor’s Harbor District, where he sensed the wind picking up.

• Aisi vented her anger at Arthur by writing his name on a punching bag and stomping it until it burst.
• Malinda urged Aisi to trust Arthur, while Aisi resented her cousin’s apparent loyalty to her fiancé.
• Mrs. Susan asked Aisi to give Arthur and herself a chance to rest, and Aisi agreed to wait three days.
• Arthur entered Kilger Harbor’s Harbor District, noticed concealed figures among the dockworkers, and remarked that the wind was picking up.

Arthur planned to use Pistrie Hamlet and the Blood Scion to provoke chaos in the Inner Bay and uncover the Golden Lion Family’s trump card. After spotting Western Sea pirates stalking a wealthy couple, he sent Kili to follow them and entered Aipuke’s Dockside Bar, while the couple watched him closely.

• Arthur decided the Blood Scion would target the Death Poetry Society’s Left Cantor and considered using Barro Hamlet or Diodone Hamlet to intensify the turmoil.
• Arthur spotted Western Sea pirates following a young married couple in Kilger Harbor and suspected their arrival was tied to Barro or Diodone.
• Arthur ordered Kili to follow the pirates while he went into the Dockside Bar, Aipuke’s base.
• The visiting couple narrowed their eyes as they watched Arthur enter the bar.

Rui Xiu Smith and Rachel arrived in Kilger Harbor and drew the attention of five pirates, but Rui Xiu killed them when they tried to rob the couple. He then sensed a Death Hound nearby and challenged whoever was hiding in the shadows.

• Rui Xiu Smith and Rachel explored the transformed Inner Bay, where Rachel recalled being betrayed by people she had once saved.
• The couple noticed five people targeting them and decided to avoid the police, fearing the officers might be compromised.
• Rui Xiu sent Rachel to the Storm Inn and led the pirates into an alley to protect her and investigate the Death Hound.
• The five pirates threatened Rui Xiu and Rachel, and Rui Xiu knocked off each pirate’s head with one punch.
• Rui Xiu sensed someone in the shadows and asked them to talk.

Arthur, posing as the master of Kili the Death Hound, confronted Mr. Smith and learned that a past incident, the Seven-Year War, and the current turmoil in the Inner Bay were connected. Mr. Smith swore to help him once, while Arthur began suspecting a link between Death and his own [Breath of Death].

• Mr. Smith confronted Kili, demanded that Death stop interfering in his life, and said he was no longer one of them.
• Arthur had Kili emerge from the shadows and gesture toward the headless corpses, prompting Mr. Smith to wonder whether they belonged to Death.
• Mr. Smith swore by his divine name to help the Death Hound's master once, carefully avoiding saying Death's name in the contract.
• Mr. Smith accused Death of sending lackeys back to South County and causing the Inner Bay crisis to recreate the Seven-Year War.
• Arthur connected Mr. Smith's claims to Glaster, the [Guide to Distortion], the Theophat Psychic Order, and White Robe, then wondered whether his [Breath of Death] was involved.

Arthur negotiated with Mr. Smith, who agreed to work with him three times under strict conditions. After Mrs. Smith confronted Arthur through a fountain, Arthur realized she opposed Death and used her concern for her husband to threaten her.

• Arthur had Kili insist that Mr. Smith agree to three requests without crossing his bottom line, and Mr. Smith accepted before leaving for the Storm Inn.
• Arthur returned to the Wharf Bar, where Aipuke provided him with a private room, a meal, and access to hot baths.
• Kili urinated at a fountain, where Mrs. Smith's image appeared in the water and accused Death of sending agents to stir up trouble in the Inner Bay.
• Arthur recognized that Mrs. Smith had belonged to the faction that opposed Death and wondered whether she and Mr. Smith knew each other's past identities.
• At Arthur's direction, Kili wrote that Mrs. Smith would not want anything to happen to her husband.

Arthur used Kili to pressure Mrs. Smith into cooperating, and she agreed to carry out three tasks as long as they did not cross her bottom line. The chapter ended with Arthur assigning her the first task: tell the Blood Scion everything about “that matter.”

• Mrs. Smith grew furious when Kili threatened to urinate in the fountain, and Arthur stopped him.
• Mrs. Smith suspected Death had arranged for news of the Inner Bay Swordsmanship Tournament to reach her as part of a new plan.
• Arthur had Kili signal that Mrs. Smith owed him three things, and she agreed with conditions.
• Arthur told Mrs. Smith to tell the Blood Scion everything about “that matter.”

Arthur arranged for Mrs. Smith to pass a message to the Blood Scion after learning that the Blood Marquis was the Disruptor, deepening his questions about the secret behind the world's state. He then contacted Jimte and Carral, who told him that St. Joan's Girls' Academy planned to stage a march.

• Arthur had Kili leave after Mrs. Smith agreed to contact the Blood Scion, and he realized the Blood Marquis was the Disruptor.
• Mrs. Smith ended the call, saw Mr. Smith running toward her carriage, and greeted him with a smile.
• Arthur returned to breakfast with Aipuke, checked the private room, and contacted Jimte and Carral through the Communication Crystal.
• Jimte reported an unexpected source of support, and Carral announced that St. Joan's Girls' Academy was going to stage a march.

Arthur learned that his aunt Cassandra had taken control of St. Joan's Girls' Academy and organized The Invisible, which was preparing a march against Barro Hamlet. Suspecting Cassandra intended to abduct Barro rather than kill him, Arthur ordered his Fighters to clear the march's path by killing anyone who obstructed it.

• Jimte and Carral told Arthur that Cassandra had taken over the Academy, founded The Invisible, and planned a citywide march to expose Barro Hamlet's crimes.
• Arthur praised the preparations and offered to help Cassandra when the march began at ten.
• Arthur reasoned that the march could provoke bloodshed and throw the Inner Bay into chaos, while Barro Hamlet's death would spur ambitious people to seize power.
• Arthur suspected Cassandra wanted to abduct Barro Hamlet, then ordered his Fighters to kill anyone who obstructed the march.

The Mermaid’s crew unloaded valuable cargo in Kilger Harbor while covert agents slipped away toward St. Joan's Girls' Academy to carry out their lord’s orders. In the Lion Palace, Pistrie proposed an alliance to Diodone against Uncle Barro and revealed two figures at his side.

• The Mermaid’s captain bribed the Harbor District constable to avoid an inspection and ordered the crew to unload the cargo.
• The sailors scattered through the Inner Bay, while discreet figures made their way toward St. Joan's Girls' Academy to wait for ten o’clock.
• Pistrie asked Diodone to form an alliance against Uncle Barro, warning that he could instead pledge allegiance to their uncle.
• Diodone questioned how Pistrie would demonstrate his courage if the alliance failed, and Pistrie summoned Sean and Bont.
• Sean and Bont appeared behind Pistrie, making Diodone sit upright and turn solemn.

Pistrie used the presence of Sean and Bont to make Diodone believe he had secretly built a powerful faction, and Diodone accepted his offer of an alliance against Barro. Pistrie revealed that a march against Barro would soon depart from St. Joan's Girls' Academy.

• Pistrie imitated Arthur's confidence and let Diodone infer that he had gathered powerful, hidden subordinates.
• Diodone accepted Pistrie's proposed alliance and privately resolved not to surrender what he had gained.
• Diodone convinced himself that the Old Lion's departure was a test to choose among his sons as heir.
• Pistrie told Diodone that a march against Barro would gather at St. Joan's Girls' Academy at nine fifty and set off at ten.

Arthur hosted Malinda as she delivered a Seventeenth Rank ritual substrate, hoping to enlist her against the Construct Maker. Malinda told him Mrs. Susan wanted her cousin to join their partnership, and Arthur's laughter left her feelings—and his response—unresolved.

• Arthur prepared tea and snacks for Malinda, planning to recruit her to oppose the Construct Maker.
• Malinda arrived exhausted from teleporting and sat down with Arthur, who served her food and drink.
• Malinda told Arthur that Mrs. Susan wanted her cousin to give him a chance and that her cousin had not objected.
• Malinda privately worried that her cousin's involvement would change her relationship with Arthur and decided to face her feelings.
• Arthur laughed at Malinda's serious announcement, and when she kicked him, he caught her leg and told her to behave.

Arthur and Malinda acknowledged their feelings for each other, though Arthur held back from making the moment more intimate. Malinda gave him the final ritual substrates he needed, and Arthur discovered a clue pointing to Rainbow Island in the description of Don Quixote's Conviction.

• Arthur told Malinda he wanted her beside him in the ordinary moments of his life, and she accepted his feelings.
• Malinda moved to kiss Arthur, but he reminded her they were in a room and decided to wait for a more formal moment.
• Malinda gave Arthur a coin purse containing the Fierce Tiger Claw, Dire Wolf Ear, and Don Quixote's Conviction.
• Arthur read the pendant's description and learned that its hidden Prohibition of Absurdity ability was linked to Rainbow Island.