The chapter opens with crawler notes in the trap scroll: Justice Light confesses that killing an NPC in anger haunts him, while Drakea later reassures Justice that the dungeon made them into weapons and urges him to make their enemies fear what they created. Phase One has 180 hours remaining, offensive and teleport magic are banned, throne rooms are visible, and nine teams remain after the Democratic Sortion’s elimination.

Carl leaves the hospital tent and finds the FUPA base in wartime chaos as forces split toward the northern Operatic Collective border and the southern Naga border. Carl orders Jurgen to reserve transports, confirms through chat that Justice Light has prepared and locked their throne room, and reviews the map. Enemy rocks already strike the shield, and Carl knows the artillery must be destroyed before the time limit ends and the projectiles become magically devastating.

Donut arrives with Mongo and members of the new Personal Guard, including Bomo, Sledge, Very Sullen, Jamal, were-castors, former crawlers, and strippers. Donut presses Carl for explanations about the early start, Stockade’s death, and Carl’s blood, while Carl learns Katia has gone north to assist Florin. As chemical attacks create poison smoke against the shield, mages work to disperse it, and Carl prepares vehicles for the ten-mile trip to the southern front.

Carl handles simultaneous communications. Louis reports that Samantha has sneaked aboard the Party Planner despite not being a scout; Carl realizes Samantha is trying to prevent Louis from taking a suicide mission and orders Louis to dump her out before crossing the border. Elle reports that the Naga have extensive siege equipment, mounted troops, and hidden intentions behind the rock barrage, prompting Carl to hurry south.

Carl assigns Dong Quixote and Holger to ride in the chariot with him, Donut to ride Mongo, and others to take the transports. Carl tells Jamal to remain at the FUPA until Mordecai and Rosetta can fit him with a new harness, while Donut frames the assignment as a last-stand role. The cretins are too heavy for the transports, and Carl tells them to walk or seek a heavier vehicle from Mordecai.

Randy, Todd, and Clint try to join the battle with training spears, but Holger gently sends them back to safety, reminding Clint that he already died once and may not get another chance. Carl attempts to mount a missile launcher on the chariot but the warlord system blocks the upgrade because all Armor slots are used. As Carl prepares to depart, his glowing jacket continues hurting him, he develops Soul Poisoning, and Dong Quixote settles into the gunner’s seat with his crude weapon.