Chapter Summaries

Klein accepted the Hidden Sage's help to advance while Colin Iliad protected him from the Dark Angel. The Demon of Knowledge opened the Giant King's Court and preserved the inhabitants of Moon City and the City of Silver as data before erasing them.

• The Hidden Sage offered to support Klein's advancement and proposed saving the deeply parasitized inhabitants of both cities by killing them and preserving their data.
• Klein accepted the Hidden Sage's demands and asked Colin Iliad to cover him while he prepared to advance.
• Colin Iliad assumed his incomplete mythical creature form and fought the Dark Angel while Klein supported him through his marionette.
• The Demon of Knowledge entered the Church of the Creator's sealed chambers and located the Miracle Invoker artifact 0-13, the Last Supper.
• The Demon of Knowledge took the Blood-Written Fragment and turned the doors of the Giant King's Court into data, connecting the inside and outside.
• The Demon of Knowledge recorded every inhabitant of Moon City and the City of Silver as data, then erased everyone in both cities.

Klein struggled to defend himself against God Almighty while the Demon of Knowledge prepared to reenact Rose Redemption’s past as part of Klein’s advancement ritual. The reenactment began with the gathering’s participants poised to attack Sasrir, while other gods chose whether to join the conflict.

• Klein lost contact with his believers as they died, and God Almighty used Mind Deprivation to disrupt Klein and Colin Iliad.
• Klein summoned the Proof of Glory and gave it to Colin Iliad, strengthening Colin enough to resume attacking Sasrir.
• Klein summoned the Gift of Abundance, whose black grass and red flowers spread through the palace as the ceiling vanished and connected the hall to the outside.
• The Demon of Knowledge sent the Last Supper to the Giant King’s Court and prepared to reenact the past, while the Chained God declined to participate again in a murder.
• The Last Supper transformed the hall into the scene of a Rose Redemption gathering, where Colin, Ouroboros, Medici, and Klein took seats alongside the illusory figures.
• The play’s second act began, and the gathered participants charged together at Sasrir while God Almighty watched Klein from within Sasrir’s shell.

Colin, Klein, and Lovia were driven from the Giant King's Court as Leodero attacked Sasrir, while Klein’s ritual continued amid the arrival of allies from outside the Forsaken Land of the Gods. The chapter left Richard joining the fight against Sasrir as Klein sought to help Leodero.

• Colin attacked Sasrir, but Sasrir overwhelmed him and Lovia placed the Life Walking Stick beside the injured Chief.
• Leodero descended as the Lord of Thunder and Truth, then unleashed a massive lightning attack that devastated the Giant King's Court.
• The Demon of Knowledge sent the Three Azure Birds to recruit Death and the Chained God; Richard accepted the call and traveled to the Forsaken Land of the Gods.
• The Demon of Knowledge sent Alger and Danitz a revelation to prepare a ship and welcome guests from the Forsaken Land of the Gods.
• Klein, Colin, and Lovia landed outside the ruined court, and Klein returned to the battlefield to assist Leodero while Colin and Lovia stayed behind.
• Richard met Klein, agreed to help despite Klein’s lack of money, and invoked a mummy phantom that filled him with madness and ferocity.

Klein helped the God of Thunder attack God Almighty and the Dark Angel, using the Sea God Scepter to destroy the first Blasphemy Slate’s connection to Sasrir and purify the special evil spirit. Afterward, Klein obtained the Miracle Invoker characteristic and advanced to Sequence Two, while Richard apologized for his outburst and welcomed him to the world of Mythical Creatures.

• Richard succumbed to indulgence and attacked God Almighty, while Klein entered Concealment and approached the first Blasphemy Slate.
• God Almighty detected Klein’s approach, but the Demon of Knowledge muddled his information, and Medici’s intervention disrupted his attempt to trap Klein.
• Richard cursed the gods and attacked Sasrir, while Medici pinned the Dark Angel’s hand and the God of Thunder struck him with a Spear of Divine Retribution.
• Klein used the Sea God Scepter’s Lightning Storm to destroy the connections between the first Blasphemy Slate and Sasrir, causing the Shadow Palace to collapse and purifying the evil spirit.
• The Demon of Knowledge restored the people of Moon City and the City of Silver as humans, and Klein picked up and merged with the Miracle Invoker characteristic.
• Two hours later, Richard apologized to Klein for his words during his indulgence, and Klein had advanced to Sequence Two.

Klein recovered his self-awareness and advanced to Sequence 2, balancing the corruption in his Beyonder Characteristics with the prayers of his believers. He led Colin and Lovia to the survivors of the City of Silver and Moon City, where Colin opened the Great Door to a sunlit world.

• Richard found Klein's Spirit Worms after Klein's body collapsed, then spoke with Medici about leaving the ruins despite the God of Thunder's threat.
• Klein's Spirit Worms converged through the Historical Void and rebuilt his body, while the Sea God Scepter and his believers' prayers helped him resist the awakening will within his Beyonder Characteristics.
• Alger and Danitz prepared to transport more than twenty-two thousand survivors, then saw the Hermit's Future arrive to help; Alger concluded that she was acting on Mr. Fool's behalf.
• Klein examined his new powers and understood how anchors balanced the mental imprints in Beyonder Characteristics, then returned to the ruins and assured Colin and Lovia that they could trust the message about the survivors.
• Klein told Colin and Lovia that the Hidden Sage had saved the people of the City of Silver and Moon City, then accompanied them to the survivors.
• Colin opened the Gray-Blue Great Door Depicting a Twilight Scene, revealing golden sunlight and a shining sea to Klein and Lovia.

Klein led Colin and Lovia from the Giant King's Court to the sea, then reached the people of the City of Silver and Moon City. After Derrick awoke and worried about those missing or deeply parasitized, Klein fulfilled a shared wish by restoring nearly a hundred figures, leaving him to wonder whether his willful act was enough.

• Klein considered how to settle the people of the City of Silver and Moon City and how to use his Miracle Invoker abilities to fulfill wishes.
• Klein walked with Colin and Lovia along the beach toward the gathered people, reflecting on the giants' homeland.
• Derrick woke among the people outside the Giant King's Court and recognized Klein as Mr. World when he arrived with Colin and Lovia.
• Derrick told Klein that people killed by Amon and many deeply parasitized residents were missing, and Klein asked him and the demigods to pray for them.
• Klein fulfilled their shared wish by making nearly a hundred figures, including deeply parasitized residents and High Priest Nim, appear among the crowd.

Edward bargained with the Demon of Knowledge, trading the Moon and access to Adam for protection of his Sefirah in the Western Continent. Meanwhile, Klein led people from the City of Silver and Moon City out of the Forsaken Land of the Gods, where the Hermit's fleet arrived to meet them.

• The Demon of Knowledge explained His theories about Lilith, the ancient races, and the God of Combat, then proposed using the Moon to enlist Lilith against Him.
• Edward offered the Moon and the Visionary Uniqueness in exchange for the Demon of Knowledge guarding his portion of the Sefirah in the Western Continent; He handed over the Moon and Adam.
• Klein arranged for residents of the City of Silver and Moon City to migrate in groups, and Richard Ernst spoke with him about where they would settle.
• Klein led the first group through darkness and out of the Giant King's residence, bringing them to an island in the outside world.
• The Hermit's flagship and fleet arrived to carry the refugees, while the Demon of Knowledge explained that Western Continent inhabitants wanted to see the Silver Moon themselves.

The people of the City of Silver and Moon City arrived in the outside world, where Cattleya and the others welcomed them with technology and a feast. The chapter ended with the newcomers asking for more food, while Danitz scrambled to find enough supplies.

• The Demon of Knowledge told Edward how his followers and successive Heavenly Mechanisms helped him build a complete personality and gather knowledge.
• Danitz greeted the arriving people of the City of Silver, then panicked when he spotted Gehrman and pushed Alger forward to take his place.
• Cattleya used a Starlight Bridge and a transforming marionette to begin building a pier, astonishing Colin, Derrick, and the others.
• Cattleya and Danitz arranged a welcoming feast, and Colin accepted the food after Klein and Nim reassured him it was not a trap.
• Derrick, Klein, and the people of the City of Silver and Moon City eagerly ate the unfamiliar food, then asked for more, prompting Danitz to call for Alger and consider fishing.

Klein met the Seven Lights in the Spirit World and learned that numerous Outer Deities were gathering to reclaim lost sefirot and characteristics, while the Oldest One’s fading power weakened the barrier protecting the world. The Demon of Knowledge then revealed that Klein had encountered the Monarch of Decay and died by his hand twice, and that the Son of Chaos corresponded to the Black Emperor pathway.

• Klein traveled through the Spirit World and met Orange Light Hilarion, who introduced him to the other six Lights.
• Indigo Light Jesus and the other Lights explained that Outer Deities sought lost sefirot and characteristics, that several pathways belonged to them, and that the Oldest One’s weakening power was allowing the apocalypse to approach.
• Klein learned that the Demon of Knowledge had become a Great Old One through Knowledge Moor, and that he had previously met the Monarch of Decay and the Son of Chaos.
• The Demon of Knowledge told Klein that Edward Vaughan had been a human skin worn by the Monarch of Decay, who had killed Klein twice, and identified the Son of Chaos with the Black Emperor pathway.

Klein learned more about the Great Old Ones, the Lord of the Mysteries, and the awakened Sefirot, while the Demon of Knowledge asked him not to help the God of Thunder. After returning to the Eastern Continent, Klein watched the people celebrate together and recognized them as his anchors.

• Alger and Derrick boarded the Future and toured the ship with Cattleya while they waited for Gehrman.
• The Demon of Knowledge explained that George Augustus III was the Son of Chaos and that Edward Vaughan was the Monarch of Decay, then described the Pillars and the Lord of the Mysteries.
• The Demon of Knowledge asked Klein to help him deal with the God of Thunder, but Klein could not decide whether to oppose a deity who had helped and saved him.
• Venithan suggested that some Great Old Ones were manifestations of the Oldest One, and the Demon of Knowledge explained that awakened Sefirot had differing aims toward Earth and the Starry Sky.
• Klein returned to the Eastern Continent, saw the residents and crews celebrating together, and thought, "So these are my anchors."

Medici and Ouroboros watched the rescued people celebrate before Klein arranged for the Eastern Continent survivors to settle on islands in the Rorsted Archipelago. The Tarot Club prepared to depart, while the Lord of Withering secretly boarded the ships among the passengers.

• Medici invited Ouroboros to join the seaside banquet and told him they would travel together after Ouroboros chose not to leave with God Almighty.
• Klein told Alger to find the twenty thousand Eastern Continent survivors a suitable island and let them choose whether to worship the Sea God, the Fool, or both.
• Klein praised Alger’s Sea God missionary work and hinted that Mr. Fool would eventually appoint one of his subordinates to the Sea God’s position.
• The Lord of Withering inspected Frank’s experiments, disguised himself as the Demon of Knowledge, and secretly boarded the fleet.
• Cattleya sounded the departure horn, and the two thousand selected survivors boarded the ships while the Lord of Withering blended into the crowd.

Klein wrote to Azik about his journey through the Forsaken Land of the Gods, then considered how to return to Loen and protect his family while pursuing the Lord of the Mysteries. As the City of Silver and Moon City began their voyage, Richard left the Gods’ War Ruins, and Azik received Klein’s letter just as the world around him plunged into darkness.

• Klein wrote Azik about helping the people of the Eastern Continent, his suspicions about the River of Eternal Darkness, and his advancement to Sequence 2, then sent the letter through a Spirit World creature when Reinette Tinekerr did not answer his call.
• Klein considered visiting Benson and Melissa, learned that Melissa’s chance to become a Beyonder had been interrupted by the war, and weighed seeking the Evernight Goddess’s aid against choosing the Door pathway.
• The City of Silver and Moon City’s advance parties left the Eastern Continent and began sailing toward the new world.
• Richard tested the edge of the Sea of the Gods’ War Ruins, wrote Klein a note in case he died, and traveled through the Spirit World toward the Southern Continent.
• Azik received Klein’s letter, but the sky suddenly darkened and the coastline rapidly retreated.

Azik learned that Death would not intervene as the God of Thunder threatened the Highlands, leaving him distressed that he could not rescue its people. In the Highlands, Audrey woke from exhaustion, celebrated a child’s recovery, and resolved to do what she could without regrets.

• Azik warned Haiter that the sky had darkened and the sea was gathering, but Haiter said Death had forbidden intervention and proposed taking in survivors after the Highlands was destroyed.
• Azik returned to his palace, anguished that he could not save people, and left Klein’s unread letter aside.
• Death judged the Highlands unworthy of protection and decided not to risk provoking Leodero, viewing the coming deaths as a chance to gain believers.
• Audrey woke at work after falling asleep from exhaustion, and Ana told her that Dawen had recovered and invited her to share his birthday cake.
• Audrey reflected on the people she could not save, accepted Ana’s encouragement, and resolved to do what she could without regrets.

Botis discovered that Audrey was in the Southern Continent, while the Demon of Knowledge and Edward discussed the Northern Continent’s collapse and Edward’s plan to relocate humanity. Audrey reflected on the Highlands, her efforts to help the poor, and the dangers facing Loen, then a thunderous blast destroyed half the hospital during a birthday celebration.

• Botis divined that Audrey was in the Southern Continent and weighed whether to risk going there to collect her.
• Edward told the Demon of Knowledge that he planned to strip most of humanity of its history and Beyonder abilities, then relocate them to another planet.
• Audrey discussed Southern Continent farming and Ana’s struggles, then considered how the Highlands differed from the Northern Continent and how hunger might provoke people to attack the wealthy.
• Audrey joined the hospital staff and children for a birthday celebration, but a sudden flash and thunderous blast collapsed half the hospital.
• Audrey recognized the enormous puppet supporting the remaining structure as Richard and saw the injured people beneath it.

Audrey overcame her fear during a divine storm, rescued the hospital’s survivors, and stayed behind to help Taufik. In Backlund, Fors learned Botis had attacked the Abraham Family and began considering a careful plan to hunt him.

• Audrey found Ana alive after the storm struck the hospital, then helped the children and treated injured survivors.
• Audrey rallied the doctors and patients, snapped rebar to free an injured doctor, and led the wounded to a nearby shelter.
• Fors learned from Dorian Gray Abraham that the Abraham Family had reached preliminary agreements with the God of Mysteries' Church, but Botis had attacked their new residence and released its Sealed Artifacts.
• Fors told Xio she planned to hunt Botis eventually, after making preparations and becoming a Traveler.
• Audrey refused to leave the hospital, and after it collapsed, she dug Taufik from the rubble and soothed him despite his grip on her throat.

A catastrophic flood struck a Southern Continent town as Audrey tried to save the hostile Taufik, while Melissa distributed relief food in Backlund and witnessed a powerful figure rise from Holy Wind Cathedral. The chapter left Audrey with Richard amid the storm and Melissa wondering about the figure she had seen.

• Sharron protected her pupils on a raft when groundwater burst through the town, while Maric and other Rose School Beyonders rescued wheat.
• Taufik rejected Audrey’s help and demanded that she leave the Southern Continent, but Audrey dragged him toward a shelter while rescuing other townspeople.
• Audrey grew uneasy that the rain was obscuring her senses and that Mandated Punishers might target local believers, until Richard appeared and stopped the rain above them.
• Melissa gave her own food portion to a hungry mother and child after the Loen Poverty Relief Fund ran out of supplies.
• Melissa saw the bells of Holy Wind Cathedral ring as fierce winds swept Backlund and a figure rose into the clouds.

Audrey explained why she stayed in the colony despite her fear, seeking to understand her convictions and the person beneath her Spectator masks. Richard left her with Taufik and went to confront the God of Thunder’s forces in the Spirit World.

• Richard sheltered Audrey and Taufik from the rain as Audrey worried that her spiritual perception had weakened.
• Taufik insulted Audrey for staying, and Richard embarrassed him by revealing that he had once been color-blind.
• Audrey told Richard she was afraid to die but wanted to witness events and examine her identity, her family loyalties, and her desire to help others.
• Richard urged Audrey to seek her own answers, then gave Taufik the umbrella and ordered him to take her to other towns and save people.
• Richard vanished into the Spirit World, where he saw a Triple Crown, a black-haired man, the Red Moon, and stars.

Richard fought the Evernight Pope and Gade II in the Highlands, while Edward told Traynor that Richard was about to die and forbade him from going to help. Traynor tried to leave anyway, and Edward said he intended to watch Richard die.

• Richard taunted the Evernight Pope and Gade II, then used his powers to make the Pope attack himself and draw Gade II into the fight.
• The Evernight Pope resisted Richard's control, attacked Gade II, and cursed him, but starlight pulled Richard's spirit from the Pope before the fight could end.
• Edward visited Traynor in Intis and announced that he planned to take him to the Starry Sky while clearing out humanity because Richard was going to die.
• Traynor realized Richard was in the Highlands and tried to leave to help him, but Edward stopped him and said he was going to watch Richard die.

Traynor questioned Edward about his attitude toward Richard, while Klein continued his journey toward Bayam and planned to hunt Kotar for the Curtain. The Lord of Withering appeared, revealed that Richard was in danger and demanded Klein save him, then admitted he was Edward’s split personality, the Monarch of Decay.

• Traynor asked Edward whether he viewed his human family as pets or entertainment, and Edward said he wanted to prevent another death after Adela’s loss.
• Alger agreed to stop at an island because the Half-Giants had depleted the food supplies, and Klein arranged temporary lodging for the travelers.
• Klein left the group to search for Kotar and obtain the Curtain, while reflecting on his need to advance and the risks of his options.
• The Lord of Withering appeared and told Klein that Kotar would likely show up near Moon City within the next few months.
• The Lord of Withering asked Klein to save Richard, who faced attacks from the God of Thunder, his Church, and the Church of Evernight.
• Klein realized the Lord of Withering was an Outer Deity and the Monarch of Decay, and the avatar admitted he had a split personality.

Klein learned that the Lord of Withering wanted him to protect the Highlands Republic and make Richard dependent on a god, while Backlund’s worsening wartime conditions framed several intersecting crises. Audrey, traveling with Taufik, encountered Saint Anthony, and the Chained God recovered from the lightning strikes and set out to complete one last task.

• The Lord of Withering told Klein that he could save Richard by protecting the Highlands Republic, but doing so would leave Richard dependent on a god.
• Fors traveled through a cold, dim Backlund and saw the hardship spreading among its residents.
• Botis entered the Hall family mansion, suspected Audrey was using a double, and waited for her to return while Susie worried about Audrey’s absence.
• Sharron and Maric rescued children and other residents from rising floodwater, while Taufik carried Audrey through the spirit world toward a sealed passage.
• Taufik and Audrey encountered Saint Anthony, the archbishop of the Backlund Diocese, as their opponent.
• After three lightning strikes broke his bones, the Chained God recovered, entered the spirit world, and went to complete his remaining task.