Chapter 117: The Lady Hope
Added 2025-09-15 14:57:36 +0000 UTCComments
Hey Keene, definitely one of my top chapters so far in the entire series. This is memorable. And, I feel that anyone who is out there disliking Caolan is going to change their tune. The guy is a delightful example of living, breathing, humanity. Especially so a part of humanity that most people don't ever get to intersect with in their life. Once you go through and do a bunch of shit you absolutely hate yourself for it's common to distract yourself to not think about those things so you don't stop and get stuck. Then when you finally confront that thing, you reclaim something important. Power over adjusting the direction of your life. You slowly start building yourself back up and change those core things you hate about yourself and dive into your life stronger for what you experienced, even if those things you went through never go away. Stronger, in a way you weren't before. Awake and with a new awareness of your surroundings you were suppressing before. Caolan is one of my favourite characters so far, and I hate paladins haha. What always stands out to me about a chapter like this(and this resonates with a part of life I love) is similar to how I feel when reading some of my favourite fantasy series turning points, the feeling of actions taken in unison, positive co-operation, plans coming together, people uniting around a common purpose, a positive purpose... I suspect part of the reason for why I feel so good about this chapter, it's that you have yourself a chapter that embodies hope. :) The same feeling you get when you plan to travel into the vast unknown expanse of possibilities and you have absolutely no idea how it's going to go, but that you know you're going to enjoy it while you get there. This really helps to exemplify why I still love reading after all this time. This is the kind of feeling you hope that every morning you wake up working, hits you in the face and stays with you throughout the day. Your life is your adventure. Make plans so you have something to look forward to and you might feel something like this, even when not writing. What a delightful spot for me to stop for the day. AHHH, I just want to go out and have my next coffee with a dragon chilling in a decrepit inn, musing about recovering a lost zeppelin after this. This was especially a great chapter for me after reading 115 haha. Thanks for instilling some hope amongst the grief. Find yourself a purpose like our man Caolan here, and you attack the hurdles in your life like you never knew you could before. The depiction of how he stands his ground and just patiently waits and believes in his budding crew is delightful. Looking forward to reading more about their trip. Amelia and Caolan's reaction to her is the impetus of the deep change in him, but they all chase something new to belong in. How they fit together in the political proceedings, we just have to wait and see. Whoever wasn't happy about Caolan's introduction to the story hadn't read this yet Keene, and this is why you should push ahead and believe in your ideas. But if you need a sounding board or positive conversation, I'll be around for the long haul. This world is coming together nicely, Keene. Talk again soon.
Lars Nordbotn
2025-12-02 05:37:02 +0000 UTCI like how you went about keeping the content of the file vague, even if the gist of it is pretty obvious, I think. I also think that Amelia will absolutely love this little groupe... and that Serena is lucky Amelia is there to heal her stress away... even of she's the source of most of it.
DocteurNS
2025-09-18 23:26:36 +0000 UTCEveryone else is throwing out their guesses/theories so don't feel like you shouldn't share yours! <3 Thanks for reading! ^.^
Keene
2025-09-17 20:48:14 +0000 UTCI am very surprised that no-one seems to have figured out what is in the file that he gave Polina. Or maybe you have and are just staying quiet to preserve the surprise for everyone? I don't know if I should say what I think it is now.
Cormac
2025-09-17 15:50:37 +0000 UTCLunaria, it needs to be a demon who they can count on being is Asamaywa and be influential enough to get the visa. Thank you for the great chapter. I think we all know what was in the papers but looking forward to seeing it confirmed. A nice little foray that is tonally a bit different was very interesting and very moving to read.
Ben Lockwood
2025-09-17 01:56:50 +0000 UTCGotta love a false flag
Chosen Juan
2025-09-17 00:54:41 +0000 UTCInteresting guess ^.^ Thanks for the kind words, and of course, thanks for reading! <3
Keene
2025-09-16 14:28:22 +0000 UTCThanks for reading! <3
Keene
2025-09-16 14:27:55 +0000 UTCPoor Polina, but hopefully she has good winds and clear skies to take her to some place better! Thanks for reading! <3
Keene
2025-09-16 14:27:45 +0000 UTCThanks for reading! <3
Keene
2025-09-16 14:27:14 +0000 UTCThanks for reading! <3
Keene
2025-09-16 14:27:08 +0000 UTCThanks! Glad you enjoyed it ^.^ Thanks for reading <3
Keene
2025-09-16 14:26:55 +0000 UTCIt's always touch-and-go with alternative POVs, especially if you step away from the main cast for more than one chappie. Happy to see this one worked out. Think 3 chappies is a good max length for it! ^.^ Thanks for reading! <3
Keene
2025-09-16 14:26:35 +0000 UTCA well-deserved one! ^.^ Thanks for reading! And editing! <3
Keene
2025-09-16 14:25:30 +0000 UTCThe demon is Lunaria, I'm sure of it. She's talked about being healed before and live in Asamaywa. Plus she's a Lord, so probably has some means to help him. As for the content of the file, I have my guess too. Love the chapter by the way ;)
Mezlo
2025-09-15 21:40:12 +0000 UTCThanks for the chapter
bladepony games
2025-09-15 19:23:36 +0000 UTCOh, this was such an interesting chapter, and totally can guess at what the information was to make Polina leave the Federation!
Puppy Piranha Forever
2025-09-15 18:39:47 +0000 UTCThat is what I was gonna say, or Elena but the empress is much less likely
Annora D.
2025-09-15 17:57:01 +0000 UTCThanks for the chap
Annora D.
2025-09-15 17:56:21 +0000 UTCTftc :)
Veriaura
2025-09-15 17:19:05 +0000 UTCThanks for the chapter ! I think Lunaria made a comment about "experiencing the Asceco healing again".
Freex Moreau
2025-09-15 15:55:42 +0000 UTCThanks for the chapter! Loved the side-arc story with Polina; good narrative building.
David Spaxman
2025-09-15 15:22:38 +0000 UTCI’m thinking Lunaria from the academy. I remember her making a comment of finally experiencing the healing again after the duel with Amelia.
David Spaxman
2025-09-15 15:20:59 +0000 UTCThanks for the chapter. The federation baited that attack for political reasons, didn't they?
Bast
2025-09-15 15:17:03 +0000 UTCI was getting annoyed by all these Polina chapters, but I should have trusted you more. Good mini-arc!
Burning Tendon
2025-09-15 15:16:12 +0000 UTCIn which I make my literary debut.
Aldous Russell
2025-09-15 15:15:32 +0000 UTCThe only demon I can think of is Calvin, the ambassador who sparred in Christdom so many chapters ago. This chapter was extremely dramatic. And while before I was okay on Caolan, right now, I don't like him. He's manipulative. I guess that comes with being a diplomat. I can't wait for him to try to use that on Amelia only for her to bully him into submission. "Oh here's my intelligence file on you along with presumably some kind of evidence that you're being used and manipulated by the demons, isn't that just terrible? Won't you come with me back to Christdom where I guarantee that won't happen? Then Tamerlane will calm down and the looming world war won't happen! Happy days!"
CelestialDoggie
2025-09-15 15:15:11 +0000 UTCOh this is a fun one (although not at all fun for poor polina)
bob50000
2025-09-15 15:12:47 +0000 UTCThanks for reading! <3
Keene
2025-09-15 15:08:51 +0000 UTCthank you for the chapter <3
pix
2025-09-15 15:04:07 +0000 UTC
