Chapter Summaries

Zhao Si defeated Darian at the Combat Festival by using sand and a short club after his force field deflected Darian’s magic. Malenia left the Colosseum on a private mission near Radahn’s Divine Tower.

• Zhao Si’s force field deflected Darian’s golden blade magic, and he narrowly avoided Darian’s sword before his kick could land.
• Darian stayed calm against Zhao Si’s taunts, so Zhao Si changed tactics and charged at him.
• Zhao Si slid low, threw sand in Darian’s face, toppled him, and knocked him unconscious with his club.
• Jerren declared Zhao Si the winner, and Zhao Si left the arena to join Helena and the others.
• Malenia told Zhao Si to be careful, then left the Colosseum on a mission near Radahn’s Divine Tower.

Malenia investigated Radahn’s Divine Tower while Radahn watched the Combat Festival, following Miquella’s plan to search for evidence of the conspiracy. After finding no entrance, she climbed onto the tower’s ledge and began looking for a way inside.

• Miquella had told Malenia to search Radahn’s Divine Tower for secrets while Radahn was distracted by the Combat Festival, and she recalled her mission as she set out.
• Helena wrote “Divine Tower” on Zhao Si’s palm, and Zhao Si promised to meet Malenia and help carry things.
• Vyke fought Alexander in the Colosseum, launching him into the air and cutting a gash in his jar body, but Alexander kept fighting.
• Malenia reached a cliff opposite Radahn’s sealed Divine Tower and leaped across to its outer ledge.
• Malenia walked along the tower wall, searching for a window or another way inside.

Malenia explored Radahn's Divine Tower, found a Godskin Apostle guarding its basement, and killed him before discovering the Godslayer's Greatsword. The weapon and the hidden Godskin presence made her suspect that Radahn was an enemy and that the Godskins' connections ran deeper than she had thought.

• Malenia climbed into the tower through an open-air corridor, descended through its hollow interior, and reached the lowest level by jumping down.
• Malenia killed a Black Flame Monk who stood in the only route into the basement.
• Malenia interrupted a Godskin Apostle's black flame incantation and killed him with Waterfowl Dance.
• Malenia found the Godslayer's Greatsword in a chest and connected it to the Godskin Nobles.
• Malenia wondered whether Ranni was also linked to the Godskins and concluded Radahn was an enemy.

Malenia escaped the Divine Tower with the Godslayer's Greatsword while Zhao Si sensed her call and rode to meet her. He stored the sword in his Inventory at her request, intending to help her take it back to her brother.

• Malenia climbed out of the Divine Tower by wall-jumping and ran along its outer wall while carrying the Godslayer's Greatsword.
• Vyke persuaded Alexander to concede their duel, then frightened the booing crowd with Lansseax's Glaive before leaving the arena.
• Radahn watched Vyke depart and considered provoking a war with the Dragons to bring him under his command.
• Zhao Si sensed Malenia calling him and rode from the Colosseum toward the Divine Tower, asking Thops to look after Helena.
• Malenia leaped down beside Zhao Si and gave him the Godslayer's Greatsword to store until she could show it to her brother.
• Zhao Si put the greatsword in his Inventory and swore by the Erdtree that he would not keep it for himself.

On the way back to the Colosseum, Zhao Si and Malenia discussed how people viewed human heroes and Demigods, while Malenia worried that Radahn might become their enemy. The quarterfinals ended with Zhao Si, Vyke, Juno Hoslow, and Ogha advancing.

• Malenia told Zhao Si that she had found and killed the Godskin Apostle beneath Radahn's Divine Tower with one Waterfowl Dance.
• Zhao Si and Malenia discussed why people doubted that a human could surpass a Demigod, and Malenia argued that Godfrey's human origins made his rise to Elden Lord more legendary.
• Malenia said Radahn's connection to a heretical cult made him a possible enemy, though she could think of few who could oppose him besides Godwyn.
• The Colosseum posted the quarterfinal results, naming Zhao Si, Vyke, Juno Hoslow, and Ogha as the advancing fighters.
• Kristoff conceded to Ogha after realizing he could not win, making Ogha a surprise semifinalist.

Zhao Si visited the casino, where gamblers backed Ogha as a dark horse and dismissed Zhao Si, then met a Barbarian Warrior seeking a rematch and was introduced to Nepheli Loux. Nepheli revealed what she knew about Hoarah Loux before she happily petted Godrick’s Storm Eagle.

• Zhao Si watched the casino owner promote Ogha and saw gamblers wager heavily on him while overlooking Zhao Si.
• A Barbarian Warrior challenged Zhao Si to a private rematch, but Zhao Si persuaded him to bet on Zhao Si instead and asked to meet his clanspeople.
• The Barbarian Warrior took Zhao Si to the residential area, where Zhao Si met the young Nepheli Loux preparing a rabbit.
• Zhao Si asked Nepheli about Hoarah Loux, and she said Loux was a common name among many clans in the Wilderness.
• Godrick’s Storm Eagle arrived, and Zhao Si let Nepheli stroke it, making her smile with delight.

Zhao Si welcomed Nepheli into his company after she asked to follow him, while Vyke received an invitation to dine with General Radahn. The chapter left Vyke heading with Jerren to Radahn’s secluded tent.

• Zhao Si read Godrick’s congratulatory letter and discussed eagles and dragons with Nepheli.
• Nepheli asked to follow Zhao Si, and he invited her to come along and try life with his group.
• Zhao Si told Nepheli that friendship involved giving and investing in one another, then took her to see the Storm Eagle.
• Vyke searched the camp for suspicious people while continuing his task of finding Fortissax.
• Jerren told Vyke that General Radahn wanted to share a meal, and Vyke went with him to Radahn’s tent.

Vyke traveled through a sending gate to meet Radahn, who tried to persuade him to join the Redmane Army by offering to teach him Gravity Sorcery. The chapter ended with Radahn overpowering Vyke and pinning him to the ground with gravity.

• Jerren guided Vyke through a sending gate from Radahn’s tent to a banquet hall, while a black figure noticed Vyke’s scent had vanished and headed toward Redmane Castle.
• Radahn welcomed Vyke and Jerren to a banquet, where he discussed adapting rules to real circumstances and hinted that Vyke should change allegiances.
• Radahn asked whether Vyke wanted greater power and offered to teach him Gravity Sorcery if he joined the Redmane Army.
• Vyke refused and attacked Radahn with Ancient Dragon Dragonbolt Spear and Lansseax’s Glaive.
• Radahn emerged unharmed, immobilized Vyke with Gravity Sorcery, and crushed him under intense pressure.

Radahn tried to recruit Vyke, but their confrontation escalated when Radahn threatened Lansseax and then learned something had happened at the Divine Tower. Fortissax rescued Vyke from Radahn and flew toward the Colosseum with him.

• Radahn subdued Vyke with Gravity Sorcery and explained his view of gravity, but Vyke remained devoted to Ancient Dragon Dragonbolt.
• Radahn threatened to deal with Lansseax to prove his power, provoking Vyke's fury.
• A messenger reported that something had happened at the Divine Tower, and Radahn pinned Vyke to a wall when he tried to leave.
• Fortissax burst through the wall, blasted Radahn with Dragonbolt, freed Vyke, and carried him away toward the Colosseum.

Radahn investigated the Godskin Apostle’s death and suspected Godwyn had infiltrated his Divine Tower, while Zhao Si recruited Fortissax to help protect Godwyn from a possible plot involving Destined Death. After Vyke withdrew from the Combat Festival, Zhao Si advanced to the semifinals and faced Ogha.

• Radahn examined the Godskin Apostle’s remains and the Divine Tower, concluding that a Demigod had killed the Apostle and stolen the Godslayer’s Greatsword; he suspected Godwyn.
• Fortissax brought the injured Vyke to Zhao Si, and Zhao Si warned Fortissax that someone might use Destined Death to kill Godwyn.
• Fortissax agreed to help protect Godwyn after the Combat Festival, and Zhao Si suggested they travel to Leyndell under Godrick’s name and in disguise.
• Jerren announced that Yuno would advance directly after Vyke was disqualified, leaving Zhao Si to fight Ogha in the semifinals.
• Malenia warned Zhao Si not to underestimate Ogha, but Zhao Si boasted that he could beat five of him; the next day, he faced Ogha armed with a towering bow and iron greatarrows.

Zhao Si faced Ogha in the Combat Festival after objecting to Ogha’s prepared field of Iron Great Arrows. Ogha’s powerful bow and relentless attacks drove Zhao Si into a desperate defense, and the fight remained unresolved as Ogha prepared another shot.

• Zhao Si objected to Ogha’s prepared Iron Great Arrows, but Jerren said Ogha’s application had been approved and started the match.
• Ogha shot at Zhao Si, who dodged the arrow and charged toward him while weaving to avoid his aim.
• Ogha predicted Zhao Si’s movement with another shot, but Zhao Si grabbed the arrow from the ground and used it as a spear.
• Ogha fired three arrows at once and struck Zhao Si’s planted arrow, knocking him out of the air before retreating and shooting again.
• Ogha launched Meteor Arrows into the sky, and Zhao Si curled up and deflected the falling arrows with the Iron Great Arrow in his hands.
• Ogha backed away through the dust and drew another Iron Great Arrow from behind his waist.

Zhao Si defeated Ogha in the Combat Festival but was forced to face Yuno immediately despite his serious wounds. He entered the championship bout as Yuno vanished and prepared to attack.

• Zhao Si and Ogha exchanged arrows, and both were struck in the clash.
• Zhao Si pulled the arrow from his chest, knocked Ogha unconscious, and waited for Jerren to declare the winner.
• Jerren announced the championship bout at once, and Zhao Si accused him and Radahn of targeting him before declaring he would win the championships.
• Yuno entered the arena, traded insults with Zhao Si, and vanished when Jerren started the bout.

Zhao Si won the championship by trapping Yuno’s Twin Whips and overpowering him, then survived his severe injuries with Thops’s help and Helena’s healing. He received an Ancient Offshoot and an Iron Meteorite Blade as his prize, then left quickly to take Malenia and Fortissax with him.

• Zhao Si trapped Yuno’s Petal Whips in his wounds, pinned them down, and attacked Yuno with knives and Iron Great Arrows.
• Zhao Si predicted Yuno’s dodge, tackled him, tore open his armor, and choked him until Jerren declared Zhao Si the champion.
• Thops removed the Petal Whips’ blades from Zhao Si, and Helena healed his wounds with a Healing Incantation.
• Radahn reluctantly awarded Zhao Si an Ancient Offshoot and an Iron Meteorite Blade.
• Zhao Si thanked Radahn, led the horse away, and hurried to leave with Malenia and Fortissax.

Zhao Si used the championship and Radahn’s dislike of him to slip out of the Colosseum with his companions, evade inspection, and leave for Leyndell. Nepheli joined the group, and Malenia’s prize horse took flight as they rode away safely.

• Jerren suspected Zhao Si had deliberately provoked Radahn so he could leave without being stopped, while Radahn let the champion go and continued with the Closing Ceremony.
• In a flashback to the previous night, Zhao Si explained that he would draw everyone’s attention and anger, then use his victory to leave before Radahn could interfere.
• Fortissax questioned Zhao Si about why he was helping Godwyn, and Zhao Si said completing the task mattered to him and to the people he loved.
• Zhao Si, Helena, Malenia, and Fortissax left the Colosseum, while Thops parted ways and Nepheli asked to join them.
• At the Redmane checkpoint, Zhao Si claimed Radahn had already allowed him to leave, and a knight waved the group through without inspecting them.
• Malenia’s divine steed raced ahead and took flight, and Zhao Si named it Flying Rabbit as the group headed safely toward Leyndell.

After the Combat Festival, Radahn and Jerren suspected Zhao Si had deliberately provoked Radahn so he could leave quickly, and sent Ogha after him. Meanwhile, Blaidd reported his discoveries to Ranni, who became suspicious of the Black Knife Assassins and ordered Blaidd to kill them after her plan was complete.

• Radahn recruited Ogha into the Redmane Army while Yuno gave no answer to his offer.
• Jerren proposed that Zhao Si had provoked Radahn to escape quickly, possibly as part of a team tied to the Divine Tower or Vyke incident.
• Radahn ordered a pursuit, and Ogha led a squad toward Leyndell after Zhao Si and his companions.
• Blaidd returned to Ranni with a Larval Tear after failing to find the Eternal City or the Black Knife Assassins underground.
• Ranni suspected the Black Knife Assassins might be serving a hidden agenda connected to Marika and Radagon, and ordered Blaidd to kill every assassin after her plan was complete.
• Ranni asked whether the Larval Tear could help Rennala, but Blaidd admitted he did not know how it worked.

Ranni learned that the Academy planned to attack Caria Manor with Glintstone Firearms and ordered Blaidd to wait for the Cuckoos to strike before killing their commander. At the Academy, its leaders prepared for rebellion while Professor Miriam questioned their reasoning and was silenced.

• Blaidd reported that the Academy had armed the Cuckoo Corps with Glintstone Firearms and planned an attack on Caria Manor.
• Ranni examined a firearm, learned it could let anyone cast sorcery, and told Blaidd to ambush the Cuckoos and kill their commander when they attacked.
• Blaidd left to muster troops while Ranni relied on other covert informants to monitor the Academy.
• The Academy's senior leaders decided to attack Caria Manor, believing the Carian Royal Family was vulnerable and the new weapons would secure victory.
• Professor Miriam questioned the attack and the Academy's claims of independence, but the other professors silenced her.

The Sorcery Professors forced Sellen and two Primeval Current School masters to help arm the Cuckoo Corps, but their delays gave Ranni and Blaidd time to prepare for the attack on Caria Manor. The Cuckoo soldiers charged into a disastrous battle, where Blaidd killed their commander and began cutting through the retreating force.

• The Sorcery Professors captured Sellen and the two masters, but Sellen destroyed key research and had already sent the latest results away with Thops.
• The professors struggled to reproduce the designs until they made Glintstone Firearms, giving Ranni's informant time to steal one and deliver it with intelligence to Blaidd.
• The Cuckoo Corps commander led his troops toward Caria Manor while leaving a deputy behind, who sent a carrier pigeon to Leyndell.
• The Cuckoo Corps charged through Caria Manor's open gates, where five Carian Sorcerer Knights blocked them with Caria Greatswords and Caria Retaliation.
• When the Cuckoo commander ordered a retreat, Blaidd leaped from the wall and killed him with the Royal Greatsword.
• Blaidd attacked the surrounding Cuckoos, while fangs, claws, and his greatsword tore through the crowd.

After Blaidd and the Caria Knights crushed the Cuckoo Corps’ rebellion, Ranni ordered the prisoners investigated and the Academy purged. Blaidd spared the remaining Cuckoos for use as monitors, while ordering everyone who took part in the rebellion interrogated and killed.

• The Cuckoo Corps routed after Blaidd killed their commander, and the Caria Knights captured soldiers who surrendered.
• Blaidd ordered a sword monument erected outside Caria Manor and confiscated the Glintstone Firearms for Ranni to study.
• Ranni told Blaidd to try the prisoners, identify the ringleaders, purge the Academy, and keep useful people.
• Moongrum and Miriam defeated the rebellious Sorcery Professors who attacked Rennala, then guarded the captives.
• The Cuckoo deputy commander blamed the rebellion on the dead commander and the Sorcery Professors, and pleaded for the soldiers’ lives.
• Blaidd decided to use the surviving Cuckoos to monitor the Academy and ordered everyone who participated in the rebellion interrogated and killed.

Blaidd rewarded Miriam for spying on the Academy and questioned the imprisoned Sellen about her work. Sellen used a concealed Glintstone device to send a message as Blaidd left, beginning her escape plan.

• Blaidd freed Miriam, praised her intelligence, and gave her a scroll containing Loretta's Greatbow as Ranni's reward.
• Blaidd arranged for some Sorcery Professors to be spared to conceal Miriam's role, then visited Azur, Lusat, and Sellen in the Academy's basement.
• Sellen showed Blaidd a contract bearing Zhao Si's signature on Ranni's behalf, and Blaidd left to confirm its authority with the Princess.
• As Blaidd closed the door, Sellen sent a Silence Sorcery-coated Glintstone Marble through the doorway to test her message-delivery device.

Mare Mare and Eleonora arrived at the Academy of Magic to execute twelve Sorcery Professors who had rebelled against the Lunar Princess. Mare Mare fabricated a confession to rally the crowd, and Eleonora swiftly beheaded the prisoners, leaving Blaidd satisfied with the spectacle.

• Mare Mare and Eleonora traveled to the Academy of Magic, where Mare Mare noted that executing the Sorcery Professors would cripple the Academy's teachings.
• Mare Mare met Blaidd and insisted on preparing a public confession before the executions, then decided to hold them the next morning.
• Mare Mare wrote a false confession claiming the Sorcery Professors repented and hoped to be buried beneath the Erdtree.
• Mare Mare read the confession to the crowd in Gatefront Town, prompting outrage against the prisoners and approval from Blaidd.
• Eleonora rapidly beheaded all twelve Sorcery Professors with the Executioner's Sword as the crowd applauded.