Volume 9 began last week with a prologue following Grausam. After being delayed with dismantling traps set by Bonifatius, Grausam retrieved some traps and magic tools and made his way to Gerlach’s estate. Using a magic tool that changes color, he and Georgine are able to communicate their status without sending an ordonnanz. Grausam and a devouring soldier easily dispatch the guards at the back of the estate. Grausam uses silver cloth to pass through the estate’s barrier and proceeds to take the foundation. He then strengthens the barrier preventing any but him, his relatives, and the archducal family from entering the estate. He spies on the previous Giebe Gerlach, overhearing defensive plans. After the giebe is thought to be left alone, Grausam captures him and uses a potion to make him mute—allowing ordonnanzes to still reach him, but is unable to reply. Grausam dispatches all others that see him and reflects on how well his and Georgine’s plans are progressing.

In the other chapter Ferdinand, Rozemyne, Hannelore, and their knights force their way through the battle to aid Giebe Gerlach’s overwhelmed forces. Rozemyne is shaken by the sights and sounds of battle. She is constantly reminded by her retainers to not hesitate and keep going while her highbeast encounters severed limbs, injured knights, and feystones. Gerlach’s knights rejoice as Rozemyne grants them Heilschmerz’s healing. The commander of Gerlach’s knights thanks Rozemyne in person. A knight reports that they cannot get inside the estate as an object is launched from the estate into the battle. The object explodes with white powder, instantly killing or injuring many on both sides of the battle. Ferdinand casts waschen to remove the powder and commands the injured to use jureves. The commander inspects where the object was launched to find it wasn’t the giebe and is killed in another explosion of white powder. Grausam is revealed to be behind the attacks. Rozemyne recognizes his voice and knows that he was responsible for her being in a jureve for two years. Cornelius and Angelica use a fused attack against Grausam which he absorbs with his hand. After defending against a counterattack, Ferdinand arrives to assist. Grausam is furious that Ferdinand is still alive and vows to eliminate him. Grausam uses something that causes blue flames to erupt around him while he remains uninjured. Hannelore’s detachment attacks him, but their attacks only strengthen Grausam’s flames. Rozemyne receives an ordonnanz from Ferdinand explaining that he will draw Grausam’s attention while she and Matthias should sneak into the estate and use black weaponry against Grausam.

What do you predict will happen in this week’s chapters?