Four weeks have passed since the Bacrum Army occupied Rime... After the fierce battle in Rime, Bacrum continued to invade the south. But the Walsta Liberation Army, who absorbed some of the Gargastan troops, were able to stop the invasion of Bacrum. The battle between the Walsta Liberation Army and the Bacrum Army at the Gruborza Plains came to a dead lock.

Branta, the leader of the Bacrum Army, was becoming anxious. The odds of winning the war was now fifty-fifty. However, if Duke Ronway gets complete control of the Gargastan Army, it is obvious that Bacrum will lose its chance for victory. Branta asked the Dark Knights several times for support, but the Roslolians ignored him and stayed in Fiduc Castle. Duke Ronway's Army was not organized either and felt uneasy to see the Dark Knights not making a move. He was not sure if the secret treaty he had with the Roslolians was still valid...

The Chapter begins at Fiduc Castle, where Balzepho the Dark Knight is having a meeting with a couple of his fellow Dark Knights, Barbas and Martym. Balzepho reprimands Barbas for acting on his own at Rime without permission, and Martym echoes Balzepho's sentiments. Balzepho doesn't need Martym's help, and reminds him that he did not have permission to speak. Barbas justifies his actions by saying that he was simply following Branta's orders, but Balzepho does not buy into that explanation. Balzepho then accuses Barbas of simply wanting to fight against the Zenobian Knights that were stationed in Rime, and Barbas remains silent until Dark Knight Lans enters the room, accompanied by two other Knights. Balzepho welcomes his lord back to the castle along with his two guests, Dark Knights Oz and Ozma Gracious. Lans tells Balzepho to calm down and inquires about the status of Walsta.

Balzepho informs Lans that the Walsta Liberation Army is gathered on Gruborza Plain, but they have not made any significant movements. Lans explains that by saying that Ronway has not defeated the Gargastan Army yet, and tells Balzepho to send a messenger to Ronway to confirm that their agreement still stands. Balzepho doubts that Branta will remain quiet and obedient under these circumstances, but Lans says that he will have to. He states that it is not the Dark Knights' mission to rule Valeria, and that they cannot risk having Zenobia get involved. Therefore, they will remain neutral.

Lans tells Barbas that he is sending him to Heigm, which causes Barbas to complain. Lans then tells him to calm down, and gives him the real reason why he is sending him there. Apparently the Valeria Liberation Front has rescued Plancy from Heigm, and Lans wants Barbas' help in bringing him back. Barbas decides to cooperate. Next, Lans gives Oz and Ozma the order to deal with the Valeria Liberation Front, saying that the trouble the group causes cannot continue. He gives Dark Knight Andoras the order to continue searching for Manafloa, and asks Balzepho to take Martym and go negotiate with Duke Ronway. Now that the plan has been set, each of the Dark Knights sets off to complete their assigned task...

In the conference room of Amorika Castle, Duke Ronway assesses the current condition of his Army. Leonard estimates that about thirty percent of the former Gargastan Army has joined the Walsta Liberation Army, while the remaining soldiers have either left the military all together or are still fighting for Barbatos. Leonard says that although the Gargastan Army is significantly weaker, it is still quite strong and supported by a number of villages. Therefore, dealing with them may be more difficult than expected. Ronway says that he understands, and asks Leonard to handle the remaining soldiers and clean up as soon as possible.

The Duke tells Denim that his task is to hunt down Vice. Denim seems a little reluctant to take this mission on, and Ronway mentions that Vice is not like Denim. Like the Duke himself, Denim has a purpose; Vice, however, only lives to satisfy his own bloodlust. He knows this, and hates himself for it--for this reason, he is very dangerous and cannot be ignored. Kachua tells Ronway that he didn't have to put a bounty on Vice's head, but Ronway says that it was necessary. Kachua tells Denim to say something but he doesn't; as a result, she becomes frustrated and storms out of the room. Leonard says to let her go, and Ronway informs Denim that the Zenobian Knight Mildain has returned to the castle along with Warren, who is not in good shape. He tells Denim to go visit them when he gets the chance.

Didario Knight Battle 24N: Amorika Entrance Objective: Kill the leader! Leader: Didario (drops Balder Sword) Enemies: 2 Knights, 2 Berzerkers, 2 Wizards, 1 Witch Union: Gargastan Kingdom Guests: Leonard Didario: Long live the Cardinal!

Join up! Mildain White Knight

At Fort Damsa Guildus has returned to Nybbas, who is evaluating him. It seems as if Guildus is yet another of Nybbas' failures. Nybbas talks about how he came so close to perfecting the art of necromancy with Debordes--he fixed the problem of cell decay, but he was unable to recover Debordes' soul. Guildus didn't even make it that far. As Nybbas prepares to use something on Guildus, Denim and his comrades appear.

Nybbas Necromancer Guildus Death Knight Battle 30N: Fort Damsa Objective: Kill the leader! Leader: Nybbas Enemies: Guildus, 2 Ghosts, 1 Archer Zombie, 1 Knight Zombie, 1 Soldier Zombie, 1 Wizard Zombie Union: Corpse Notes: Guildus can be a real pain for your team members. He drops the Isleberg when he dies, but you don't have to kill him. Just go for Nybbas and end the battle as quickly as possible! Canopus: Sorry Guildus. I will end your suffering! Denim: Damn it!! How can I save Sir Guildus?! Mildain: Denim! Guildus is dead! All we can do is release his soul from his rotten flesh! Denim: I can't do that! Orias: Mother, please give me strength! (after Nybbas is defeated) Nybbas: This is the end. I have no choice... Demunza, provide me with the powers of darkness which have been sealed within this ring... (to Denim) See my power!! (Nybbas dies, but the Undead Ring resurrects him as a Lich) Nybbas: How do you like my new body? By using the power in this ring, I will be immortal...of course, the tradeoff is you have to give up being a human! We shall meet again! (escapes) Denim: Nybbas, wait! Guildus: What am I doing here? What is this... Denim: Sir Guildus! Guildus: Denim? Oh, you are alive. I am so glad... (dies) Denim: Sir Guildus!

As this scene opens, we find that the Walsta Liberation Army has enacted its plan and captured the Dark Knight that came to meet with them. However, it is Balzepho that they captured, not Lans. Balzepho tells Ronway that the Roslolians would have given Valeria to the Walsta Liberation Army, and that they are fools for pulling this stunt. Ronway tells him to shut up, saying that they don't need the Roslolians' help. The Duke tells Leonard to give Denim the order to drive the Bacrum Army out of Rime--Balzepho can't understand how the Walsta Liberation Army could have regrouped so fast. Ronway tells him that it was their plan all along, and that the Dark Knights' stupidity and over-confidence has become their downfall. Balzepho warns Ronway that he will regret his actions later, but Ronway tells him to mind his own business. Because he is such an important hostage, he will remain alive for the time being.

Outside, Denim and his troops confront the Bacrum Army stationed in Rime.